64 THROUGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



descend the ste{)s of the nnigh ladder that leads down to 

 the river, gracefully carrying on their backs a load of five 

 or six bamboos, then w.ule into the calm water, where 

 they bathed for a few moments before filling their recepta- 

 cles. The Kenyah drinks water by taking it up in his 

 hands while looking at it. In the house he drinks from 

 the bamboo utensils which are always conveniently placed. 

 The Malay throws water quickly into his mouth with his 

 right hand. 



There seemed to be an epidemic of cholerine among 

 the children, three having already died and one succumbed 

 while we were at the kampong. The sounding of a gong 

 drew attention to this fact and people assembled at the 

 house of mourning where they wailed for an hour. The 

 fishing was postponed one day on account of the burial, 

 and the work of making the coffin could be heard over on 

 our side of the river. During the night there was much 

 crying. 



Next day at noon the funeral took place. First, 

 with quick steps, came two men and two women, parents 

 of children who had died before, followed by the father 

 of the dead child and another man of the family who 

 carried the coffin. The j)rocession embarked in three 

 prahus. The relatives were all attired in simple but 

 becoming mourning garments, made from wood-fibre, 

 consisting of tunics, and wrappers around the loins, 

 which as regards the women covered practically the 

 whole body, and on their heads they wore pointed hats 

 of the same material. In the first prahu the little coffin 

 was placed, and immediately behind it the mother lay 



