FUNERAL CUSTOMS OF KATINGANS 363 



months by suspending a rattan rope on which were hung 

 many spears of wood, tail feathers of the great hornbill, 

 and leaves of certain trees. After a head had been se- 

 cured the impediment was removed, but the government 

 has forbidden the temporary obstruction. 



A most important matter is the construction of the 

 device to which the water-buffalo, formerly the slave, is 

 tied when sacrificed. In its make-up it expresses sym- 

 bolically the rules of behaviour for the widow until after 

 the feast has been celebrated. Its name is panyanggaran, 

 an obscure word which probably may be derived from 

 sangar, which means to kill; the place of killing. 



The foundation is a large post, usually of ironwood, 

 firmly planted in the ground; its top is pointed and a little 

 below, on either side, is attached horizontally a piece of 

 dressed wood like two arms. Further below a number of 

 sticks are affixed to each side, pointing obliquely upward, 

 and all on a plane with the arms above. These sticks, 

 usually three on each side but sometimes more, are con- 

 sidered as spears, and the top of each is finished with a 

 rosette representing four spear-points, called kalapiting. 

 The post itself is also regarded as a spear and is called 

 balu (widow), while the sticks are named pampang-balu 

 (widow rules). It seems possible that the post also rep- 

 resents the woman, head, arms, and body being recog- 

 nisable. However that may be, the attached sticks are 

 regarded as so many rules and reminders for the widow. 

 In Kasungan I saw in one case eight sticks, in another 

 only four. The rules may thus vary or be applicable to 

 different cases, though some are fundamental. 



