116 SAKAIS. 



which blows on the tropical hills after 2 a.m. is for the Sakai 

 the work of bad spirits. It is the hour when he feels the fall 

 of temperature most, and it is for him a fatal hour. Accord- 

 ingly, all true Sakais are awake at this time to chat and smoke 

 and wait until the biting- blast passes away. Tattooing is little 

 known amongst them ; and though they have a certain know- 

 ledge of the ways of tigers and snakes, these are neither worship- 

 ped nor considered to be directly concerned with evil spirits. 



Social Relations. 



The most important circumstance of a man's, and of 

 woman's life, marriage, does not loom large in the Sakai's 

 mind. For him it is neither a religious ceremony nor a civil 

 contract, it is merely a mode of sexual union founded upon 

 mutual sympathy. Rites in connection with it have so far not 

 been proved to be practised. There is neither capture, nor 

 purchase, nor selection. The elders, moreover, do not appear 

 to interfere in the choice of their sons and daughters. 



It is probable that it is owing to this fact that these 

 aborigines are gradually decreasing in numbers, even though 

 consanguinit} T in matrimonial relationship is forbidden, about 

 the only prohibition of any kind that the Sakais know, and to 

 which they submit. 



Polygamy exists, but it is rare. Divorce also exists, and 

 is common. The marriage tie, being as loose as is described, 

 is unable to consolidate a union ; the slightest incompatibility 

 of temper, temporary sterility of the wife, lasting about three 

 durian seasons, or an attack of dangerous disease, is a sufficient 

 cause for a divorce, which is accomplished without resentment 

 or apparent jealousy on either side. Deformed persons which 

 are very rare amongst the Sakais, or those attacked by 

 dangerous disease, must make a vow of celibacy. The women 

 give birth to their children with only old women attendants, 

 but in a place prepared by the husband. The child is not al- 

 lowed to touch the earth, either from a superstition that the child 

 would be injured by contact with the earth, or that the child 

 would soil the ground, but is laid upon a couch of dry leaves, 

 which cover a rudely made clay embankment. Directly after 

 birth only old women and young children who are not able and 



Jour. Straits Branch 



