66 TIIROrClI CENTRAL BORNEO 



The root, which is very long, had been cut up into short 

 pieces and made into about i,Soo small bundles, each 

 kampong contributing its share. The packages had been 

 formed into a beautifidly arranged pile, in accordance 

 with the artistic propensities of both Kenyah and Kayan, 

 whose wood-stacks inside the rooms are models of neat- 

 ness. The heap in this case was two and a half metres 

 long and a metre high, a surprisingly small amount for 

 the poisoning of a whole river. 



Before daylight they began to beat these light-brown 

 tuba pieces until the bark became detached. The bark 

 is the only part used, and this was beaten on two pre- 

 viously prepared blocks, each consisting of two logs 

 lashed together, with flattened upper sides. On either 

 side of these crude tables stood as many men as could find 

 room, beating earnestly with sticks upon the bark, singing 

 head-hunting songs the while with much fervour. Occa- 

 sionally they interrupted the procedure to run about 

 animatedly, returning shortly to resume their labour. 



Later an augury was to be taken, and all gathered 

 closely on a wide pebbly beach. First a long piece of 

 root, which is called the "mother of tuba," was beaten 

 vigorously by a number of men. Then one of the prin- 

 cipal actors stepped fonvard and began to make fire in 

 the old-fashioned way, i. r., by pulling with both hands a 

 piece of rattan around a bamboo stick held to the ground. 

 According to several possibilities the divinations are ex- 

 pounded: Should the rattan break before smoke ensues, 

 the undertaking is postponed for ;iii hour or two; if 

 the rattan breaks into two equal parts, fish will not be 



