66 



BORNEO, 



[CH4P, V, 



diately left their game to carry my things up to the " head- 

 liouse" — a circular building attached to most J)yak 

 villages, and seiTiug as a lodgin« for strangers the place, 

 for trade, the slecping-room of the unmanned youths, and 

 tbe general covmcil-cliauiber. It is elevated on lofty post<=i, 



has a large fireplacu 

 in the middle and 

 windows in the l•oo^ 

 all Tonud, and forms 

 a very pleasant and 

 comfortable abode. 

 In the evening it was 

 f.-rowded with young 

 men and boys, who 

 came to look at iiie. 

 'Pliey were mostly 

 iiiie young fellows, 

 mid 1 cnuld not help 

 admiring the sim- 

 jilicity and elcgantie 

 "f their costume, 

 J heir only dress is 

 tlie long " chawat," 

 or waist-cloth, 

 which hangs down 

 lie fore and behind, 

 - It is generally of 

 blue cotton, ending 

 in three broad bands 

 of red, blue, and 

 whit-e. Those who 

 can afford it wear a handkerchief o!i the head, wluch h 

 either red, with a narrow boixler of gold lace, or of three 

 coloura, like the "chawat/' The large flat moon-shaped 

 brasB earrings, the heavj- necklace of white or black beads, 

 rows of brass rings on the arms and legs, and armlets of 

 white shell, all serve to relieve and set olf the pure reddish 

 brown skin and jet-black hair. Add to this the little pouch 

 containing materials for betel-chewing and a long slender 

 knife, both invariably worn at the side, and you have the 

 eveiy-day dress of the young Dyak gentleman. 



t>ohrKAiT or i>VAK vot'ri^. 



