xxiv] WILD TRIBES 



the Rejang markets preferable to the more prosperous and more 

 accessible markets of their own country. 



I do not believe that from Bellaga the distance in a straight 

 line to the foot of the mountains which form the central water- 

 parting of Borneo can be more than 60 miles, only time is required 

 to reach that spot on account of the rapids which have to be passed, 

 and the strong current of the river. At the time I visited these 

 parts the journey might have been easily performed in six or seven 

 days, for no feud then existed between the tribes on the two slopes. 

 A state of war or feuds between the tribes are the only difficulties 

 now likely to be experienced in crossing Borneo from the Rejang 

 or Bintulu to the eastern sea. 



Mr. Hugh Brooke Low, whose lamented death occurred in 1887, 

 has left a narrative of his journeys along the Rejang. 1 It was 

 mainlv through him that the majority of the Kayans were peaceably 

 induced to pay Government taxes. At present, with the exception 

 of a few tribes near the head- waters of the Koti and Banjar, all 

 the others have submitted to the Rajah of Sarawak, and very 

 little absolutely unknown country remains in that part of Borneo. 

 Of all the great rivers of the northern part of the island, the least 

 known is the Barram ; but even this river has been recently explored 

 by Dr. Hose. 



Although we have still a good deal to learn concerning the 

 physical conditions and natural productions of Borneo, I do 

 not think it probable that any race or tribe of mankind is 

 to be found there in a more primitive stage of existence 

 differing greatly from those we are now acquainted with, 

 as the assertions of some travellers might lead one to suppose. 

 Lhe most savage tribes of Borneo are the Buketans and the Punans, 

 often called Ukits, and some other smaller tribes which are now 

 disappearing. But even these do not seem to differ essentially 

 from the Kayans, who are indeed more advanced than the others 

 in civilisation and have come more in contact with the tribes living 

 on the coast, especially with the Mellanaos, and perhaps in remoter 

 times with the Chinese and the Annamites. With the Kayans 

 must be grouped the Kadjamans, the Skapans, the Sians, and others. 



Lhe Ukits or Punans and the Buketans are savages in the true 

 sense of the word, but they are neither degraded nor inferior races 

 in the series of mankind. Lheir primitive condition depends 

 more than anything else on their nomadic or wandering life, and 

 on the ease with which they live on the produce of the forests and 

 on that of the chase, which the sumpitan procures them. Lhis has 

 no doubt contributed to keep them from associating with their 

 fellow-beings and from settling in villages or erecting permanent 



1 Cf. Sava-juzk Gxzstts, April 1, 1885. Mr. H. B. Low was the son of 

 Sir Hugh Low. 



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