NOTICES OP THE NORTHERN OR DUTCH HiSIif OP CEUERES. 683 
luxurious bed of mats and cushions, but will immediately order an 
opium pipe (Famadupa) to be presented to you, and alternately 
coffee and tea with large supplies of comlits. The natives of Gu- 
rontalo carry their own bed and opium pipe with them on every vi¬ 
sit. Even a visit to a neighbouring house perhaps not more 
than 100 paces distant, they perform on horseback with at least 
three followers, one to carry the sir! box, the other the Famadupa 
with appurtenances, and the third the mattress. All important 
matters are discussed with the assistance of opium, which makes the 
otherwise taciturn native highly communicative, and all resolutions 
come to in such consultations under the influence of opium are con¬ 
sidered almost sacred, and strictly adhered to and executed. Both 
sexes are addicted to the use of this drug; what polygamy undermines, 
this poison utterly destroys, and even the present generation is an ex¬ 
hausted race of men, rather walking skeletons than flesh and blood. 
The privileges of the prince extend to the marriage bed of his 
subjects. If lie choses, the first embrace is his, and the parties con¬ 
cerned think themselves highly honoured by such a visitation. 
Food, plays, feasts etc .—In eating and drinking they are very 
temperate. The chief articles of food are : sago, jagong with fish 
or dried buffaloe flesh; among the rich besides rice and fowl, and a 
great quantity of comfits, coffee, tea, and honey are used. The whole 
nation is fond of music and dancing ; but both are imitations of the 
Javanese. Playing at cards (Chinese and European) is every where 
known and practised ; vingtun especially is understood in spite of 
the Dutchmen. But particularly popular are Chinese plays and 
cock-fighting, the latter usually attended with high betting, and great 
excitement and noise. Horse races and rival rifle shooting are oc¬ 
curences of every day. The whole nation, even the females, are 
passionate riders, and display their skill on all public occasions. 
Of public representations of combat there are several descriptions* 
and for the most part with costumes and weapons of former times. 
1st. Langka, single combat: one opponent has a dagger, the other 
is without any weapon and is attacked by the former, merely de¬ 
fending himself by strength and agility. His great aim must be, to 
get hold from above of the hand with the poniard, and thus to 
prevent or even to return the thrusts. 
2nd. Mancha , single combat. One combatant armed with the 
klewang or gollok (vide Raffles’ history of Java), the other with a 
spear. The two combatants approach cadi other dancing and 
