198 THROUGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



the Saputans had iikuIc a contract with his grandfather 

 to take thcin to the Kasao. This report was confirmed 

 by the kapahi of Batokelau. The Saputans probably 

 do not number over 500 all told. 



The custom of cutting the teeth, eight in upper front 

 and six in the lower jaw, is observed to some extent, but 

 is not regularly practised. Both sexes have shrill, sharp 

 voices. The men admire women who have long hair, 

 light yellow skin, and long extension of the ear-lobes 

 The women like men to be strong and brave on head- 

 hunting expeditions. Suicide is very rare. They may 

 use ipoh or tuba for the purpose. All animals are eaten 

 without restriction. The men are good hunters and know 

 how to kill the tiger-cat with sumpitan or spear. They 

 also make good, large mats from split rattan, which are 

 spread on the floor, partly covering it. The women make 

 mats from palm leaves, and when the Saputans are pre- 

 paring for the night's rest the latter kind is unrolled over 

 the rattan variety. Formerly sumpitans were made in 

 sufficient number, but the art of the blacksmith has al- 

 most died out, only one remaining at the present time, and 

 most of the sumpitans are bought from the Bukats on 

 the Mahakam River. 



There appear to be more men than women in the 

 tribe. Children are wanted, and though the usual num- 

 ber in a family is four, sometimes there is only one. 

 There are no restrictions in diet for a pregnant woman 

 beyond the prohibition of eating of other people's food. 



Only when the chief has a wedding is there any festival, 

 which consists in eating. There is no marriage cere- 



