THE PENYAHBONGS 179 



tusk of a large species of cat, and in the lobe, which is 

 stretched very long, hangs a brass coil. The ears of the 

 women have only two incisions, the one in the middle 

 part being adorned with bead strings, while in the lobe 

 up to one hundred tin rings may be seen. They are 

 tatued, and noticeable on the men is a succession of stars 

 across the chest, as if hanging on a thread which is lower 

 in the middle. The stars symbolise the fruits of durian. 

 The colour of the tatuing is obtained from damar. 



Formerly they wore scanty garments of fibre, the man 

 wearing only a loin cloth, and in case of cold weather a 

 piece of the same material covered the shoulders and back. 

 The woman had a short skirt folded together at the back, 

 and both sexes used rattan caps. Besides sago their 

 main subsistence was, and still is, all kinds of animals, 

 including carnivorous, monkeys, bears, snakes, etc. The 

 gall and urine bladder were universally thrown away, but 

 at present these organs from bear and large snakes are 

 sold to traders who dispose of them to Chinamen. For- 

 merly these people had no salt. 



No cooking utensils were employed. Sago was 

 wrapped in leaves and placed on the fire, and the meat 

 was roasted. There is no cooking separately for men 

 and women, and meals are taken irregularly, but usually 

 twice a day. The crocodile is not eaten, because it would 

 make one mad, nor are domestic dogs or omen birds used 

 for food. Honey is collected by cutting down the tree. 

 Their principal weapon is the sumpitan, which, as usual, 

 with a spear point lashed to one end, also serves as spear 

 and is bought from the Saputans. Parang and shield 



