MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE DYA.K HEAD FEAST. 125 



chiefs are called upon in the song to attend, and even the 

 spirits in Hades ; and last of all Singalang Bnrong. To him 

 henceforward the song* is almost entirely confined. 



We must suppose the scene to be laid in Kling's house. 

 Kumang, Kling's wife, the ideal of Dyak feminine beauty, 

 comes out of the room and sits down on the verandah beside 

 her husband, and complains that the festival preparations 

 make slow progress. She declares she has no comfort either 

 in standing, sitting or lying down on account of this slack- 

 ness ; and by way of rousing her spouse to activity, says the 

 festival preparations had better be put a stop to altogether. 

 But Kling will never have it said that he began but could 

 not finish. 



Inclah keba aku nunggu. 

 Xda kala aku pulai lebu, 

 Makau benong tajau bujang. 



In dak keba aku ngaiyau, 



ISTda kala aku pulai sabau. 

 Alakau slabit ladong penyariang 



Indak keba aku nieth 

 Nda kala aku nda mai. 

 Bulih kalinrpai babi blaug, 



Indak keba aku manjok, 

 Nda kala aku pulai luchok, 

 Bulih sa-langgai ruai la] 



Kite bisi tegar nda besampiar untak tulang, 

 Kite bisi laju ari peluru leka bangkong, 

 Kite bisi lasit ari srnnpit betibong punggang^ 

 Sampure nya kite asoli betubok ngambi ngabang. 



" When I have gone to fine people, 

 ' ' Never did I return empty handed 

 " Bringing jars with me. 



" When I have, gone on the war- path. 

 " Never did I return unsuccessful 

 (t Bringing' a basketful of heads. 



" When 1 have gone to lay pig-toaps, 

 " Never did I return without 

 " Obtaining a boar's tusk. 



" When I have set bird snares 

 " Never did I return unfruitful 

 " Getting an su^gus pheasant. 



