8S 



BORKEO~THE BTAKS, 



[chap. VI. 



CHAPTER YI 



BORNEO— THE DYAXS. 



rpHE manners and cnstoms of the aborigines of Eomeo 

 J- liave been (lescribod in great detail, and witli much 

 fuller information tlian I possess, in tbe writings of Sir 

 James Brooke, il&ssrs. Low, St. John, Johnson Brooke, and 

 many otbers, I do not propose to go over the ground 

 again, but shall confine myself to a sketch, from personal 

 observation, of the general character of tbe Dyaks, and of 

 such physical, moral, and social characteristics as have 

 been less frequently noticed. 



The Dyak is closely allied to the Malay, and more 

 remotely to the Siamese, Chinese, and other Mongol races. 

 All these are characterised by a reddish-brown or yellowish- 

 brown skin of various shades, by jet-black straight hair, 

 \}j the scanty or deficient beard, by the rather small ami 

 broad nose, and high cheekbones ; but none of the Slalayaii 

 i-aces have the oblif^ue eyes wliich are characteristic of 

 the more typical Mongols. The average stature of the 

 Dyaks is mther more than that of the Malays, while it is 

 considerably under that of most Europeans. Their foi-nis 

 are well proportioned, their feet and hands small, and 

 they rarely or never attain the bulk of body so often 

 seen in Malays and Clunese, 



I am hiclined to rank the Dyaks above the Malays iti 

 mental capacity, while in moral character they are un- 

 doubtedly superior to them. They are simple and honest, 

 and become the prey of the Malay and Chinese timiers, 

 who cheat and phimlcr them continually. They are more 

 lively, more talkative, less secretive, and less suspicious 

 than the Malay, and are thei-efoi'e pleasanter companions. 

 The Malay boys have little inclination for active sports 

 and games, which form quite a feature in the life of the 

 Dyak youths, who, besides outdoor games of skill and 

 strength, possess a variety of indoor amusements. One 

 wet day, in a Dyak house, when a number of boys and 



