THE PENIHINGS 245 



distance away. As they had approached Long Blu an 

 omen bird, evidently a small woodpecker, had flown 

 across their path in front of the first prahu, whereupon the 

 whole flotilla at once retraced their course — a tedious 

 day's trip against the current. It makes no difference 

 whether this bird flies from left to right, or from right to 

 left, or whether it crosses in front or behind the boat. 

 If the bird is heard from the direction on the left of the 

 party the augury is bad, whether he is seen or not. If 

 heard from the right side everything is well. After wait- 

 ing three days the party proceeded on their way. 



There are seven omen birds, according to the Peni- 

 hings, and they are regarded as messengers sent by a 

 good antoh to warn of danger. For the same purpose he 

 may make a serpent pass in front of the prahu, or a rusa 

 cry in the middle of the day. At night this cry is imma- 

 terial. The most inauspicious of all omens is the appear- 

 ance of a centipede. If a man in a ladang is confronted 

 with such an animal he at once stops work there and 

 takes up a new field. 



The tribal name of the Penihings is A-o-haeng. Until 

 recently each kampong had from two to five supi, chiefs 

 or rajas, one being superior to the others. The office was 

 hereditary. There are still several rajas in one kam- 

 pong, for instance, three in Long Tjehan. The Penihings 

 have a practical turn of mind and though they usually tell 

 the truth at times they may steal. They are the best 

 workers among the tribes on the Mahakam River (above 

 the great rapids) and on a journey they travel in their 

 prahus day and night, resting only a couple of hours in 



