MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE BYAK HEAD FEAST. 127 



They assure her they bring no evil tidings ; and they tell 

 her they have been sent to fetch Singalang Burong, and 

 desire her assistance in the matter. Here I may give a 

 specimen of the verbosity of these recitations. Kasulai and 

 Laiang wish to borrow Antu Ribut to, 



Nyingkau Lang Tabunau 

 Ka Turau baroh remang. 

 Kempalong Singalang Burong 

 Di tuchorj£ Sandong Tenyalang. 

 Nyeru aki Menaul Jugu 

 Ka mimggu ISTempurong Balang 

 Nanya ka Aki Lang Bimba 

 Ka Lembaba langit Leinengang, 

 Mesan ka aki Lang Buban 

 Di clan Kara Kijang. 



" Reacli up to Lang Tabunau 



'• At Turau below the clouds. 



" Strike out to Singalang Burong. 



" On tlie top of Sandong Tenyalang, 



" Call to grandfather Menaul Jugu 



•' On Nempurong Balang hill. 



" Ask for grandfather Lang Rimba 



" At Lembaba in the mysterious heavens. 



" Send for grandfather Lang Buban 



" On the branch of the Kara Kijang." 



These, five beings described as living at five different places 

 all refer to Singalang Burong, who is thus called by many 

 names in order to magnify his greatness, to lengthen the 

 story and fill up time. This is a general feature of all 

 " Mengap." But to go on with the story : Kasulai and La- 

 iang desire Antu Eibut to take the message on because they 

 would not be able to get through " pintu langit " (the door 

 of heaven), whereas she, being wind, would have no difficulty. 

 She could get through the smallest of cracks. At first she ob- 

 jects on the plea of being busy. "She is busy blowing 

 through the steep valleys cut out like boats, blowing the leaves 

 and scattering the dust." However at length they prevail 

 upon her, they return and she goes forward : but first she goes 

 up a high tree where she changes her form, drops her per- 

 sonality as a spirit, and becomes natural wind. Upon this 

 everywhere throughout the jungle there arises the sound of 

 mighty rushing wind "like the thunder of a moon-mad water- 

 fall." Everywhere is the sound of driving wind and of fall- 

 ing leaves. She blows in all quarters, 



Muput ka langit ligilah bulan 



Muput ka ili ngilah Sitntan, 



Muput ka dalam ai ngilah karangan, 



