CHAPTER XXXII 



AGRICULTURAL PURSUITS — FACTS ABOUT ULU-OTS, THE 

 WILD MEN OF BORNEO — TAKING LEAVE OF THE INTER- 

 ESTING DUHOI — A VISIT TO THE UPPER KATINGANS — 

 DANCING — FRIENDLY NATIVES — DOWN THE KATINGAN 

 RIVER 



When about to make a new ladang one fowl is sacri- 

 ficed in the morning and the blood, with the usual addi- 

 tion of rice, is thrown up in the air by the husband or 

 wife as a present to antoh, the meat being reserved for 

 home consumption. On arrival at the selected place they 

 carry the sharpening stone some distance into the utan 

 where a portion of the same mixture is applied to it. A 

 few weeks are devoted to cutting down the jungle, and 

 then about a month must pass before the felled trees, 

 bushes, and vines are dry enough to burn. 



On the day chosen for burning the wood a winnowing 

 tray, on which the outline of a human form has been 

 crudely drawn with charcoal, is hung in the house. The 

 picture represents a good antoh named Putjong and he is 

 solicited to make the wind blow. When starting the 

 fire every one yells "hoi," thereby calling the winds. 

 One day, or even a shorter time, may suffice to burn the 

 accumulations on the cleared space, and when the work is 

 finished all the participants must bathe. 



A simple house is then erected for occupancy while 

 doing the necessary work incident to the raising of crops. 



The work of clearing the ground is immediately begun 



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