CHAPTER XXI 



AN EXCURSION DOWN THE RIVER — LONG PAHANGEI — ^THE 

 OMA-SULINGS — THE GREAT TRIENNIAL FESTIVAL — 

 HOSPITABLE NATIVES — INCIDENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY 



It is significant as to the relations of the tribes that 

 not only Bukats and Punans, but also the Saputans, are 

 invited to take part in a great triennial Bahau festival 

 when given at Long Tjehan. Shortly after our arrival 

 we were advised that this great feast, which here is called 

 tasa and which lasts ten days, was to come off immedi- 

 ately at an Oma-Suling kampong, Long Pahangei, 

 further down the river. 



Though a journey there might be accomplished in 

 one day, down with the current, three or four times as 

 long would be required for the return. However, as 

 another chance to see such a festival probably would not 

 occur, I decided to go, leaving the sergeant, the soldier 

 collector, and another soldier behind, and two days later 

 we were preparing for departure in three prahus. 



What with making light shelters against sun and 

 rain, in Malay called atap, usually erected for long jour- 

 neys, the placing of split bamboo sticks in the bottom of 

 my prahu, and with the Penihings evidently unaccus- 

 tomed to such work, it was eight o'clock before the start 

 was made. Pani, a small tributary forming the boundary 



between the Penihings and the Kayans, was soon left 



aao 



