1832.] 
ISLAND OF JAVA. 
277 
which is either worn slung over the shoulders as a sash, or tucked 
round the waist and descending to the ankles, so as to enclose 
the legs like a petticoat. The higher ranks sometimes display, 
on particular occasions, an article somewhat like the sarong, but 
much larger, and not united at the ends, which is worn in the 
same way ; but from its size, and the manner of its being tucked 
up, it assumes the form of drapery, which is peculiar to Java. 
The females, also, vary very Httle in their dress from those of the 
same rank in Sumatra. Both sexes, of all classes, wear rings on 
their fingers. 
But like the Sumatrans, a Javan is not considered dressed 
without his Iris, or dagger. This weapon is beUeved to have 
been first introduced into the oriental islands by Panji, a Javanese 
prince, who is supposed to have flourished about A. D. eight 
hundred and twenty, and for whose name the Javanese have such 
a reverence, that they represent him as an incarnation of Vishnoo ; 
and some maintain that all the countries in which the kris is 
.now worn, acknowledged his supremacy. Another tradition 
attributes the introduction of this weapon to Sa Putram, one of 
the early Hindoo sovereigns, who is said to have come into the 
world with a kris hy his side. At all events, the Javans appear 
to have a great reverence for this ancient weapon, and many un- 
thinking writers have condemned them unheard, because " they 
invariably use the deadly kris." But the fact is, though sometimes 
resorted to by the Javans, this weapon is worn by them almost 
exclusively as a personal ornament, especially when in full dress, 
as small swords are worn at every court in Christendom. 
The children of the lower orders go naked, from the age of 
fifteen or eighteen months to six or seven years. Females some- 
times wear rings or bracelets round the wrist, chains about the 
neck, and chaplets of flowers in the hair, which is generally done 
up in a knot, with an appendage of large studs, either of buffalo- 
horn or brass, which they use for ear-rings. The dress of females 
of rank does not in fashion diflfer essentially from that of the 
lower orders ; but the fabrics are of finer texture and richer qual- 
ity ; gold studs and rings, and ornamented precious stones, being 
substituted for those of inferior metals. Both sexes of the higher 
classes wear sandals, shoes, or slippers, in the house. Neither 
sex cut their hair, but allow it to grow to its natural length; 
