ETHNOLOGICAL NOTES. 
149' 
become slaves , as the Kadayans were usually sold into 
slavery in former days. 
Murut is supposed to come from the old Malay word 
iurut meaning to follow, to move or to go, as this tribe 
was driven from the up-river districts and “turut—ed” 
to land further down. 
A dang in the ujfu Limbang comes from the Malay 
word larang meaning to forbid, so-called because the 
natives of that district prevented anyone passing their 
villages in former days. 
Brunei, the capital of Borneo, is derived from the 
two Malay words bahru ini meaning this new (place) ; 
so the founders of Brunei are supposed to have named 
their settlement on arriving from Kota Batu (not far 
from the present Brunei). 
Bisayah may possibly come from the Brunei-Malay 
word bisai meaning pretty, as the men of this tribe 
have rounded feminine features and are generally 
looked upon as somewhat effeminate by their neigh¬ 
bours. This is purely a suggestion, made for what it 
is worth. 
Limbang. 
November, 1910. 
C. Ermen. 
[The above interpretations are of much interest, 
seeing that they depart considerabl}/ from the usually 
suggested derivations. For instance, Baring-Gould and 
Bampfylde in “A history of Sarawak under its Two 
White Rajahs” say that the Sanskrit word Bhurni , 
meaning land or country, has been suggested as the 
origin of the name Brunek Thus also Ka-daya-an 
according to these authors and others, is supposed to be 
formed from the Milano word daya meaning land or 
inland ; thus Kadayan means the inland-man ; and 
again Murut means a hill, so orang-Murut are the hill- 
men. A more definite explanation in support of this 
was given me recently by some Muruts up the Limbang 
River, who said they originally came from a high 
mountain in the interior which is called Murud to this 
day. Thus they are men from The Hill, a name of 
rather more significance. ] Ed. 
