206 
THE BINUA OF JOIIOHE. 
Full grown tree would be left in the forest. Camphor is not collect¬ 
ed hv the Bermun tribes, at least on the western side of the Peninsu- 
la, and they are unacquainted with the Bassa Kapor. 
Having mentioned the labours which the Bmua undertakes to sa¬ 
tisfy the demands of his Malayan creditors, this would be the proper 
place to explain the relation which subsists between the two races. 
But to understand it thoroughly a further acquaintance with the Bi- 
mia is necessary. 
The preceding details will render it apparent that the Binufi who 
is not well supplied with the necessaries of life in considerable varie¬ 
ty bas nothing but his own indolence to blame. As in other com¬ 
munities the condition of individuals varies much. The. active and 
persevering do not grudge their labour to render themselves and 
their families comfortable. Their houses are comparatively large, 
neat and carefully constructed. Their ladings are well stocked with 
vegetables. Their families are clothed. They have their fishing hut 
and canoes on the river, and their durian grove and hut in the forest, 
and they and all about them are cheerful and even happy. And, yet 
they never have any other capital than their industry. • Others again 
have not a tithe of their comforts, but are so reconciled to their own 
indolence and its results, that they are contented with their lot. 
I soon found that a large house and a sufficient supply of clothing 
were certain evidences that the head of the family was endowed with 
a superior measure of intelligence and cheerfulness. Where all are on 
an equality, accumulated capital awanting, and hardly anything in¬ 
herited but the common right of taking the produce of the forest, 
personal advantages are the only ones known. He who has most 
intellect and activity fares best. 
The family of the Bmua is an innocent and happy one, and mutual 
kindness prevails on every side. The authority of the father is ab¬ 
solute, nor are the sons freed from it even when they have themselves 
become the heads of families. It is probable that in the more purely 
nomadic ages the family was less early subject to be broken up, and 
that the patriarchal system prevailed in its fullest extent. In the 
house however the husband appears more as an honoured guest than 
as the lord. The wife has the entire management. A Binua ex¬ 
pressed their ideas on this score figuratively, by saying that the 
husband was nakhoda of the prauh, and the wife nakhoda of the 
house. The whole household cat together, the wife sitting near the 
fire place so as to have the smoking bldngds and kwdlU within her 
reach. From these she replenishes the plates from time to time. From 
