85 MANANGISM IN BORNEO. 
cure are practised by certain Dyaks, to whom, through the 
medium of dreams, benevolent spirits have made known me- 
dicinal charms for special diseases, such as pebbles, roots and 
leaves of various plants, bits of wood, and even feathers and 
scraps of matting, etc. The pebbles are rubbed in water 
which is applied externally; the woods, feathers and matting 
are burnt, and the ashes applied. 
But these are of very minor importance compared with the 
functions of the Manangs, who alone are believed to wield 
power over the malignant spirits which cause sickness. All 
internal maladies are supposed to be inflicted by the passing, 
or the touch of demons inimical to mankind. What is the 
matter with so and so? you ask. He is “pansa utel,”’ ‘‘some- 
thing passed him;” he is struck by a demon who desires to 
carry off his soul to the other world. Consistent with this 
idea, somebody is required who can cope with the evil spirit 
and prevent the soul from being hurried away. And the Ma- 
nang comes forth as the man, ready to charm, cajole or kill the 
spirit, and rescue the departing soul from his clutches by a per- 
formance which 1s called ‘“ Belian.’”” Some years ago a Dyak 
lad was sleeping in my house, and in the early morning was 
seized with epileptic fits. The friends came and took him 
away, and soon the Manangs were walking round and chant- 
ing over him. After the function was over, the chief Manan 
gave out that a party of spirits returning from a hunting 
expedition, caught sight of the lad, and thrush a spear at 
him; but that had they recognised the house as mine, they 
would have spared him. 
Nearly all diseases then are believed to arise from ghostly 
causes, or at least to be accompanied by sneaking evil spirits ; 
and the sorcerer must deal with these intangible and demonia- 
cal influences. But some maladies are too terrible for even 
his mystical powers. Nothing is more thoroughly believed to 
be the direct personal influence of evil spirits than the epide- 
mic scourges of cholera and small-pox ; but seldom will Ma- 
nangs go nearacase of either; probably a consciousness of 
the cee futility of their efforts, combined with fear of infec- 
tion, have induced them to assert that such cases do not come 
within the reach of their powers. Other means must be 
