n] THEIR PHYSICAL CHARACTERS AND DRESS 



or very closely shaven, the head is always covered with a piece 

 of cloth variously folded, or, in the case of those of Arab origin,, 

 with a turban, the rest of the costume being likewise Arab. The 

 true Malay dress consists of a short jacket or baju, often of silk, 

 and more or less embroidered, and short trousers (slodr). The 

 latter might be thought a modern fashion derived from European 

 influence. It appears, however, that this kind of nether garment 

 for men is very ancient in Asia, for in the sculptures of the" ancient 

 temples of Boro Budor in Java 1 (Fig. 6) a costume of this nature 



Fig. 6. MAN WEARING THE Sloar, OR BREECHES. 



(From the Sculptures at the Temple of Boro Budor in Java.) 



is represented. Besides the above-mentioned articles of dress, 

 the Malays wear a sarong wrapped round the waist and secured 

 in front ; it supports a kris or dagger, which is always worn. At 

 the present day, Western civilisation has a continual tendency 

 to change the style of dress of the Borneo Malays, as in the past 

 Hindu culture imported amongst even the wilder people of the 

 Indian Archipelago not only the style of dress and ornaments of 

 India, but most of the religious beliefs, superstitions, folklore, 

 industries, and art notions which they now possess. 



The sarong is used by both sexes. It is put on in many ways, 



1 Leemans. Boro Boudour dans Vile de Java, p. 616. 



23 



