THE ABOKIGINES OF BORNEO. 445 



Jowata ; the prejudice against killing cattle and deer, and also of 

 eating their flesh ; and a few rude stone images and utensils. It is 

 cvu'ious and worthy of note that both these great Oriental races in- 

 vaded Borneo in the spirit of conquest, but both succumbed to 

 savages of mould superior to their own — a clear case of the sur- 

 vival of the fittest. 



Although the aboriginal inhabitants of Boi-neo are divided into 

 several tribes and scores of sub-tribes or clans, they may, with 

 reasonable exceptions, be described as one body, or sub-race, viz., 

 Dyaks. In general terms, a Dyak may be described as a Bornean 

 semi-savage of Malay extraction, of a yellowish brown complexion, 

 straight, glossy-black hair, smooth face, medium stature, and active, 

 warlike disposition. He is usually clad in a bark-loin cloth ; but 

 sometimes in a war-jacket of skin or padded cloth. He is armed 

 with sword and spear, and possibly the sampitan also ; and 

 lives in the jungle in a long-house set high up on posts. He has 

 no definite religious convictions, but respects his wife, and treats 

 both her and his children well. His sustenance is rice, fowls, 

 pigs and fruit growTi by himself, and wild animals slain in the for- 

 est, supplemented sometimes by the sale of wax, gum, rattans, and 

 gutta collected in the jungle ; though these articles are generally 

 exchanged for brass wdre, beads, cloth, and other ornaments. He 

 has no written language, makes no pottery, builds no monuments, 

 carves but little and only in wood, works but little in iron, yet 

 builds fine war-boats. His bearing is independent, dignified, re- 

 spectful and frank, and he is honest at all times, save in war. 



While it is perfectly proper to call every aboriginal inhabitant 

 of Borneo a Dyak (for otherwise it would be necessary to coin a 

 name applicable to all), there are, as has been already intimated, 

 several well-marked tribal divisions, and many sub-tribes or clans, 

 between whom there exist marked ethnological dift'erences, and 

 diversity in language and custom. Before proceeding to a more 

 detailed description of the tribe with which I am best acquainted, 

 it is necessary to a proper understanding of the subject that we 

 take a brief survey of the entire Dyak race, or, to be exact, sub- 

 race. 



In my opinion the aboriginal inhabitants of Borneo may best 

 be divided into four great tribes, which should be designated 

 as follows : the Sea Dyaks, Kyans, Hill Dyaks, and Mongol 

 Dj'aks. 



The Sea Dyaks are distinguished by their brave and warlike 



