6 
A SKA-DA YAK DIRGE. 
The dirge here is divided into two parts : (i) Nyuran 
and Nyuran Timbal Rumah, and (ii) Sabak Nerengkah. 
The two parts differ so that they have to be treated 
separately. 
Let it first of all be understood that a professional 
waller may be a man or a woman, a Manang (witch¬ 
doctor) or an ordinary Dayak. To dare to be a pro¬ 
fessional wailer, he must be appointed by one of the 
gods in a dream, and unless so appointed death will be 
his punishment. 
It should be noted that some tribes of the Sea- 
Dayaks, such as the Saribas, Skrang and part of the 
Batang Ah do not use this dirge, and with those tribes 
who use this dirge there is no restriction between men 
and women. It is not customary to use the dirge at the 
death of the very young, and unless the child has cut 
its teeth no dirge can be used. The dirge is monotoned, 
and during its progress no musical instrument of any 
sort is allowed ; sadness and weeping are the order of 
the day. No eating or drinking in the nature of a 
feast is allowed, and the whole house is in mourning 
for three da vs. 
PART I. 
Nyuran and Nyuran Timbal Rumaii. 
This dirge is only used when the corpse is still in the 
house. Any woman who is gifted in poetry can mono¬ 
tone the Nyuran provided she (her soul) does not go 
beyond the limit of this world. A professional wailer 
carries herself to Hades. 
With the Saribas and other tribes who do not engage 
a professional wailer when death takes place, all the 
women in the house and friends from far and near 
nyuran over the corpse. 
As soon as life is extinct the corpse is taken out into 
the reception room (ruai), the professional wailer then 
sits on a swing near the head of the corpse and mono- 
tones the dirge. Before she commences, a piece of iron 
(pap.orig besi), a hawk bell (mrunong), a wire bracelet 
(bentok selong) and a native petticoat (kain) are first 
presented to her. These gifts are indispensable, being' 
supposed to guard her person on entering the region of 
