118 SEA DAYAKS OF SARAWAK. 
(4) Every morning they must scatter popcorns (nade of 
rice) on the verandah: and just as the elastic popcorn bounds 
and rebounds on the hard floor so will the men be agile in 
their movements. At the same time the women sing a verse— 
Oh kamba, enti tinggi surok, 
Enti baroh, perjok 
Munsoh suroh genong— 
Awak ka baka Teiebond are See Suse: 
which being interpreted is 
‘Oh you absent ones dodge under the high obstacles ai leap 
over the low ones. Petrify the enemy al keep off the hands | 
raised against you.’ 
(5) It is pemali to bathe in She usual way with the 
petticoat on: for just as the garment would become wet and 
heavy so would their husband feel heavy in body and unable 
to move rapidly. 
(6) The room must be kept very tidy, all boxes’ being 
placed near the walls ; for should any one stumble in the house 
so may the men fall when walking and thus be at the mercy — 
of the enemy. 
(7) They must seh food only at meal times and then 
properly sitting down; otherwise the men will be tempted to 
chew leaves or earth shee on the march. 
(8) At each meal a little rice must be left in the pot and 
this must be put aside: this ensures that the men shall have 
plenty to eat and need never become hungry. 
(9) On no account may a women sit so long at the loom 
as to have the cramp; Or the men will surely become stiff and 
be unable to rise up quickly after resting or to run away. 
Accordingly the women intersperse their weaving opera- 
tions by frequent walks up and down the verandah. 
(10) It is forbidden to cover up the face with a blanket 
or the men will not be able to find their way through tall grass 
or jungle. 
(11) They must not sew with a needle or the men will 
tread upon ‘tukak’ (sharpened spikes of bamboo placed point 
upwards in the ground by the enemy). 
Jour. Straits Branch 
