148 PET AHA, OR SEA DYAK GODS. 



formers go round and round them, chanting a request to Pidang 

 Gana for his presence and aid, and for good luck to the farm. The 

 result is supposed to be that Pidang Gana comes up from his sub- 

 terranean abode to bestow his presence and occult influence, and 

 a pig is then sacrificed to him. In the Gaicei Ben Hi, the proceed- 

 ing is similar, but having the seed for its object. 



Pidang Gana is, therefore, an important power in Dyak belief, 

 as upon his good-will is supposed to depend, in great measure, the 

 staff of life. 



Singalang Burong must now be mentioned. His name probably 

 means the Bird-Chief. Dyaks are great omen observers, and 

 amongst the omens, the notes and flight of certain birds are the 

 most important. These birds are regarded with reverence. On 

 one occasion, when walking through the jungle, I shot one, a beau- 

 tiful creature, and I asked a Dyak who was with me to carry it. 

 He shrank from touching it with his fingers, and carefully wrap- 

 ped it in leaves before carrying it. No doubt he regarded my act 

 as somewhat impious. All the birds, to which this cultus is given, 

 are supposed to be personifications and manifestations of the same 

 number of beings in the spirit world, which beings are the sons- 

 in-law ol Singalang Burong ( x ). As spirits they exist in human 

 form, but are as swift in their movements as birds, thus uniting 

 man and bird in one spirit-being. Singalang Burong, too, stands 

 at the head of the Dyak pedigree. They trace their descent from 

 him either as a man who once lived on the earth, or as a spirit. 

 From him they learnt the system of omens, and through the spirit 

 birds his sons-in-law, he still communicates with his descendants. 

 One of their festivals is called, " Giving the birds to eat, " that is, 

 offering them a sacrifice. 



But further, Singalang Burong may be said to be the Sea Dyak 

 god of war, and the guardian spirit of brave men. He delights in 

 war, and head-taking is his glory. When Dyaks have obtained a 

 head, either by fair means or foul, they make a grand sacrifice 



( x ) It should be stated that Singalang Burong has his coun- 

 ter-part and manifestation in the world, in a fine white and brown 

 hawk, which is called by his name, 



