KLIENG’S WAR-RAID TO THE SKIES. 287 
light of the verandah of the house and rehearses the myth in 
a slow monotonous chant; whilst his audience are sitting or 
lying around, listening to his periods, and commenting or 
laughing as the mood suits them. 
These songs of native lore would be more interesting if 
they contained references throwing light on the former history 
and condition of the Dyaks; but I have found little of this 
kind to reward a search through many pages of verbiage, 
This legend of Klieng’s, putting aside the prodigies of it. 
describes the life and habits of the Dyaks as we now see them : 
and the only gleam into a different past which it gives is the 
reference to the sacrifice of human victims, which probably 
formed a not uncommon element of their religious rites in 
remoter ages. 
I must add that the translation is as literal as I can make 
but I am conscious of how much the peculiar characteris- 
tics of the original have been lost in the process. A perpetual 
play of alliteration and rhyme, and an easy rythmical flow of 
the lines are of the essence of all Dyak folk-lore: but I have 
not been able to re-produce these in the English. 
J. PERHAM. 
NotTs.—I append a few quotations from the Dyak to illustrate the sound 
and measure of the original. 
Duduk di tikai rotan anyam lemantan indu, di Entigelam tanam tunsang. 
Duduk di tikai lelingkok anyam Lemok ti bejulok Lulong Bintang. 
Empa pinang puda ti baru lega nelagu langkang. 
Pakai pinang kunchit ulih ngerepit ruang tebawang. 
Sirih sidok ti betumbok ttjoh takang. 
Pium tusot ti ngelumut takang kelingdang. 
When Bulan Menyimbang faints through violent exertions, two guardian 
spirits come to his assistance :— 
Angkat Bunsu Entanjing ari tengiching wong nunggang. 
Angkat Bunsu Rembia ari puchok tapang undang. 
Lalu di-tegu enggo jengku tunjok jari, 
Di-tata enggo lala minyak angi; 
Nyau kekebut di inggut tapa kaki, 
Nyau kekebak di luak tungkul ati. 
Lalu angkat Bulan Menyimhbang. 
