CHAPTER XXXIV 



FUNERAL CUSTOMS OF THE KATINGANS — DEPARTURE FROM 

 KASUNGAN — AN ATTEMPTED VISIT TO SEMBULO — IN- 

 DIFFERENT MALAYS — A STRANGE DISEASE — THE BE- 

 LIEF IN TAILED PEOPLE — THE LEGEND OF THE ANCES- 

 TOR OF TAILED MEN 



When a liao departs through the top of the head and 

 death occurs, gongs are beaten for twenty-four hours. 

 Five or six men set to work to make a beautiful coffin 

 similar to the one already described ; this is often finished 

 in a day and the corpse, having been washed, is imme- 

 diately placed within it. For a man a new chavat of 

 wood fibre is adjusted around the loins, without other 

 vestments. Another day is consumed in the work of 

 decorating the coffin, which is done by men, while women 

 weave diminutive mats, which are left less than half 

 finished and are laid on top of the casket. For three 

 days and as many nights the remains are kept in the 

 house, and, if a man, his duhong (ancient knife), parang, 

 knife, spear, sumpitan, betel box, tobacco container, and 

 much food are placed nearby. 



After these matters have received attention, food is 

 eaten by those present. Fires are kept burning within 

 the house and also outside, and after each meal the peo- 

 ple strike one another's legs with firebrands in order to 

 forget their grief. Members of the family, who begin to 



wail immediately after his death, continue to do so con- 



360 



