CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS 355 



those placed in the hair. This meant an urgent order for 

 people to gather quickly for the fight, and in the event 

 of failure to obey the call promptly the leaves and skirt 

 signified unworthiness to wear masculine attire. 



Two methods of fire-making were in use here, by 

 drilling or by friction with a rope made of fibre or rattan 

 across a block of wood. The Katingan does not know the 

 art of doing inlaid work on the blade of the parang, in 

 which Kenyahs and Kayans excel, and he makes no 

 earthen ware. Hair that has been cut from the head must 

 be placed in a tree. Their sacred number is seven, as is 

 that of the Ot-Danum, Kapuas, and Kahayan. As usual 

 with Dayaks, all members of the family eat at the same 

 time as the men. Sons and daughters inherit equally, 

 while brothers and sisters receive nothing unless the de- 

 ceased was childless. 



The father of a young man must arrange the pay- 

 ment for the bride, and probably receives remuneration 

 himself for the service rendered. The son-in-law remains 

 in the house of his father-in-law a year or more and assists 

 him. A raja was privileged to have five or six wives. 



During the period of pregnancy both wife and hus- 

 band are subject to the following restrictions: 



1. They must not split firewood, otherwise harelip 

 will result, or a child with double thumbs. 



2. The arms or legs must not be cut off from any ani- 

 mal caught, else the child will have stumps of arms or legs. 



3. When fish has been caught the couple must not 

 open the head themselves; if they do the child will be 

 born without ears. 



