AMONG THE DUHOI 327 



and since then it has been ignored by explorers. It is 

 part of a large region occupied by the Ot-Danums, a 

 name which signifies people living at the sources (ot) of 

 the rivers (danum = water, river). They are found chiefly 

 around the headwaters of the Kapuas and the Kahayan, 

 and on the Samba and Braui. Some also live on the 

 upper tributaries to the Katingan, for instance on the 

 Hiran. On all these rivers they may number as many 

 as 5,000, about 1,200 of which should be located on the 

 Samba and the Braui. The last figures are fairly cor- 

 rect, but the first ones are based only on information de- 

 rived from native sources. 



On the Samba, where I met the Ot-Danums, they are 

 known as Duhoi, a name applied by themselves and other 

 tribes. They are still in a primitive condition, though 

 in outward appearance beginning to show the effect of 

 foreign influence. While a few wear chavats and some- 

 times becoming rattan caps, nearly all cut their hair, 

 and they no longer have sumpitans. Higher up the river 

 is a Malay kampong consisting of settlers from the West- 

 ern Division. Occasional traders also bring about in- 

 evitable changes, though as yet few of these Dayaks speak 

 Malay. 



The Kahayans who live to the east of them always 

 liked to come to the Samba, often marrying Duhoi wives, 

 and they also exert an influence. In intellect they are 

 superior to the Duhoi as well as in knowledge of worldly 

 affairs, in that respect resembling the Malays, though 

 they have none of their objectionable qualities. One or 

 two of them are generally present in a kampong, and I 



