218 SEA DYAK RELIGION. 
the jungle remained, until a few years ago, when a village of Dyaks 
near by, receiving Christianity, lost their fear of antus, and cleared 
it. 
It will have been observed that these antus are either good or 
evil, either assist man orinjure him. The good ones are nearly 
identified with Petara, of whom no evil is predicated, and who 
never entraps man to his destruction. The benevolent spirit is the 
next grade of good being, and intercourse with it is coveted, for 
thereby come riches and wealth. The antwu story generally relates 
that the man who sees the spirit rushes to cateh him by the leg 
(he can’t reach higher) to getsomewhat from him; but is nearly 
always foiled in the attempt; for the antu suddenly vanishes. 
But some men, it is believed, do obtain these much coveted gifts 
and if a Dyak invariably gets a good harvest of paddy, it is by the 
magic charm, the “ubat,” of some favouring spirit: if he has at- 
tained to the position of a war-leader, or be markedly brave, it is 
by the communion or touch of the same power: and in fact every 
successful man in Dyak life is eredited by his fellows with the 
succour of one of these beings of the mystic world. They give 
men occult powers, charms, and magic protection against disease, 
and sometimes convey similar virtues by a simple pronouncement 
which is called a “sumpah” (oath). Stories are told of Dyaks 
who have the good fortune to meet with antus who have spoken 
somewhat thus:—‘‘ You shall obtain so many heads of your ene- 
mies,” or “ you shall get plenty of paddy,” or “you shall have brave 
dogs to hunt with,” or “shall be protectedagainst small-pox,” or “‘ne- 
ver be caught by an alligator.’ Medicines for the sick are believed 
to be given in dreams; and many a Dyak has related how, when 
despaired of by all, some ‘ uwbat” was given to him in sleep, by 
the magic virtue of which he was completely cured. And some- 
times when antus bestow these gifts—bits of stick or other rub- 
bish—they also mention the price to be paid for them by others 
who need them. And they do more than give magic medicines ; 
they appear in dreams to guide and direct men’s actions in various 
matters of conduct, and especially in matrimonial affairs, some- 
times telling them whom to marry in order to get wealth; some- 
times requiring them to divorce to avoid the displeasure of the 
