228 THROUGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



sence of seasoning. A couple of men brought us two 

 bamboos containing that gelatinous delicacy into which 

 rice is transformed when cooked in this \^ay. And, as if 

 this were not enough, early next morning a procession ar- 

 rived carrying food on two shields, the inside being turned 

 upward. On these were parcels wrapped in banana 

 leaves containing boiled rice, to \\hich were tied large 

 pieces of cooked pork. The first man to appear stepped 

 up to a banana growing near, broke off a leaf which he 

 put on the ground in front of me, and placed on it two 

 bundles. The men were unable to speak Malay and im- 

 mediately went away without making even a suggestion 

 that they expected remuneration, as did the two who 

 had given us rice. I had never seen them before. 



The sixth day was one of general rejoicing. Food 

 was exchanged between the two groups of houses and 

 people were in a very joyful mood, eating pork, running 

 about, and playing tricks on each other. Both men 

 and women carried charcoal mixed with the fat of pork, 

 with which they tried to smear the face and upper body 

 of all whom they met. All were privileged to engage in 

 this sport but the women were especially active, pursu- 

 ing the men, who tried to avoid them, some 'taking ref- 

 uge behind my tent. The women followed one man 

 through the enclosure surrounding the tent, at my invi- 

 tation, but they did not succeed in catching him. This 

 practical joking was continued on the following days 

 except the last. 



The Oma-Palo had their own festival, which lasted 

 only one day. It began in the afternoon of the sixth day 



