298 DYAK TRIBES IN 



the south-west, on which live the Dyaks, bearing the 

 same name as the stream. Though the hill is very steep, 

 the Sakarran Dyaks succeeded in destroying the houses, 

 cutting down the fruit trees, and desolating the place. 

 The village contains about fifty houses, and these 

 Dyaks are the most poor and ignorant I ever visited. 

 Passing the mouth of the Samban, we soon reach 

 the fine village of Sebongoh, the well-built houses of 

 which are seen peeping out from a forest of fruit 

 trees on both banks of the stream, to the number of 

 sixty. These people, though also attacked by the 

 Sakarran Dyaks, appear now to be in a flourishing and 

 happy state. Here I saw a woman whose body was 

 monstrously swelled by dropsy. The Dyaks said that 

 she was " bunting naga," or, pregnant with a dragon. 



The next tribe is situated about two hours' fast 

 pulling lower down; one rapid, but not a dangerous 

 one, intervening. The houses of the Sempro Dyaks 

 occupy both banks of the river, at the foot of the 

 precipices Se-bayet and Gigi. The scenes of country, 

 and the beauty of the banks of the river above this 

 village are not to be surpassed. The limestone moun- 

 tains rise suddenly from the plain in the most curious 

 forms and rugged precipices; and the river runs 

 quietly, smoothly, and brightly through this rock, the 

 waters having worn it away, so that it overhangs them 

 on each side, forming sections of deep natural arches, 

 under which large boats take shelter from the passing 

 showers. 



The Sempro tribe numbers sixty families, and is 

 one of the most happy and prosperous of them all. A 



