224 THROUGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



giving access to the gallery, in close proximity to the 

 sanctuary'. 



Prior to the fifth day a progressive scale is observed 

 in regard to food regulations, and after the sixth, when 

 the festive high mark is reached, there is a corresponding 

 decrease to normal. Only a little boiled rice is eaten 

 the first day, but on the second, third, and fourth, rations 

 are gradually increased by limited additions of toasted 

 rice. The fifth and sixth days give occasion for indulgence 

 in much rice and pork, the quantity being reduced on the 

 seventh, when the remaining pork is finished. On the 

 eighth and ninth days the regulations permit only boiled 

 and toasted rice. Not much food remains on the tenth, 

 when the menu reverts to boiled rice exclusively. Some 

 kinds of fish may be eaten during the ten-day period, 

 while others are prohibited. 



It was interesting to observe what an important part 

 the female blians or priest-doctors played at the festival. 

 They were much in evidence and managed the ceremonies. 

 The men of the profession kept in the background and 

 hardly one was seen. During the feast they abstain from 

 bathing for eight days, do not eat the meat of wild babi, 

 nor salt; and continence is the rule. Every day of the 

 festival, morning, afternoon, and evening, a service is 

 performed for imparting health and strength, called me- 

 lah, of which the children appear to be the chief benefici- 

 aries. Mothers bring babes in cradles on their backs, as 

 well as their larger children. The blian, who must be fe- 

 male, seizing the mother's right hand with her left, re- 

 peatedly passes the blade of a big knife up her arm. The 



