AMONG THE DUHOI 331 



boiled rice that may be kept over from one meal to the 

 next. 



For protection at night the family may have a num- 

 ber of images, preferably seven, placed upright and tied 

 together, standing near the head of the bed; a represen- 

 tation of the tiger-cat is placed on top of it all, for he 

 impersonates a strong, good antoh who guards man night 

 and day. From the viewpoint of the Katingans the 

 tiger-cat is even more powerful than the nagah. When 

 cholera or smallpox is apprehended, some kapatongs of 

 fair size are left standing outside the room or at the 

 landing places of the prahus. Images representing omen 

 birds guard the house, but may also be carried on a jour- 

 ney in a basket which is placed near the head when a man 

 is sleeping in a prahu or on land. A kapatong of one 

 particular omen bird is thus capable of allaying any fear if 

 real omen birds or snakes should pass in front of the boat. 



On head-hunting expeditions kapatongs were of prime 

 importance. Smeared with blood, they were taken along 

 for protection and guidance, and afterward were returned 

 to the room. Some of them are very curious; a favourite 

 one represents a pregnant woman, the idea being that a 

 woman with a child is a good watcher, as the infant 

 cries and keeps her awake. That the child is not yet 

 born is of no consequence. In my possession is a kapa- 

 tong of the head-hunters which represents a woman in the 

 act of bearing a child. Among the Dayaks the woman 

 is regarded as the more alert and watchful; at night it is 

 she who perceives danger and thrusts her hand against 

 her husband's side to arouse him. 



