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ORIGIN OF THE BINUAS. 
Several opinions have arisen respecting 1 the origin of the wild tribes, 
or Orang Binuas; but these opinions are based only upon conjecture, 
more or less probable; and until now no certainty, and even nothing 
really satisfactory, has been discovered on the subject. It is more 
than probable that the residence of the Missionaries, who are now a- 
bout establishing themselves in the Peninsula in order both to civilize 
and to christianize these wild tribes, will prove a source of some in- 
teresting discoveries in different branches of learning, and chiefly in 
whatever refers to the people to whom we now direct our attention. 
* In the mean time I will for the solution of the several questions 
which can be raised on the origin of the Binuas, direct attention to 
several facts, and while I will recapitulate the various opinions which 
have heretofore been offered upon the subject, will finally say what 
appears to me most probable both from these sources of information 
and from what I obtained from the Binuas themselves in the numer¬ 
ous sojourns I made amongst them.* 
The first question which naturally presents itself to our mind on 
the subject is this—are the Binuas to be considered as the aboriginal 
inhabitants of the land where they are found ; chiefly in the Malayan 
peninsula ? Such a question will remain a problem for some time yet, 
and perhaps for ever: nevertheless I must say that many facts seem 
to prove much that is in favour of an answer in the affirmative. 
Among the Binuas whom I have interrogated on the matter, ma¬ 
ny answered that the Malays were descendants in great part from 
them, who were, without any doubt, the first inhabitants of the land. 
Many Malays are of the same opinion, and upon it is based the 
appellation of Drang Binuas, men of the soil, by which the Malays 
designate the wild tribes. 
A fact which is related in the Malayan traditions and history, and 
quoted by Lieut. Newbold (vol. 11. p. 77-) proves much in favour of 
ahat opinion. 
* The order I follow here under the title Origin, will be also followed 
under the other titles. 
