Litchfield enquirer., 1832-04-12
DTAKs OF BORNEO.
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mOSliY u ceivable what a sensation of fear comes over the bravest of the Diaks, when they have an idea a few muskets may possibly be brought against theme No inducement will prevail upon them, however numerous, to gO for ward. Hence the Bujis with handful of men act toward them as they think proper, making them deliver over not only the pro- duce of their country, for almost nothing, But a certain number of their children yearly, whom they sell as slaves. Selgie can bring into the field at least 12,OOO fighting men, ayet the Bujis with fifty. muskets and few bOat-swivels, will not hesitate to meet them. The fact is, they no sooner hear the report of a gun than they run deep into the jungle If they are in boats, they yleap into the water. and after gaining the shore, never stop until they are out ofhearing the report. The most sensible of the Diaks have a.supersttious idea of firearms. Each man on hearing the report fancies the ball is making directly towards himself He therefore runs, never thinking himself safe, SO long as he hears the ex plosion of gunpowder. A man hearing the report of swivel five miles off. will still continue at full speed with. the same trepidatiOn as at first. These people have not the least con ception of the range of gun barrels. have been frequently out with Selgie and other chiefs, shooting birds, monkeys, &c. and of tended them by refusing to fire at large birds at the distance of a mile or more. They in- variably put such refusal down to Ill nature on my part. Again, when bird or other Ob- ject is fired at, they cannot believe that it is missed, although they sec the bird fly away: but think that the shot is still pursuing, and that the bird must fall at last. The Buiis take great care to confirm them in their dread of firearms. However, time will wear this off.
 Ceremony of making Sobat.-During my detention in Borneo, (altogether nearly fifteen months,) experienced much attention and kindness from many Diak chiefs, particularly from Selgie, whom was some months with. Selgie said for our future good understanding. it was proper that all his followers should know on what footing we were, and therefore requested would make sobat with him. On my gladly tonsenting, he went in person, and stuck spearintO the ground above his faith CTS grave. This being the signal for gene ra assembly, each of the chiefs sent person to know the Rajah's pleasure. It was, that every warrior should assemble around the grave by l2 o'clock, the next day. Some thousands were present. A platform of bam- boo was raised about twelve feet above. the grave, and on this Selgie and mounted, ac- companied by an Aei# For high priest. After some previous ceremony. the Agi produced small silver cup, which might hold about two |. wine glasses, and then, with piece of bam- boo made very sharp, drew blood from the Rajah's right arm. The blood ran into the cup until it was nearly full. He then produced another cup of a similar size, and made an incision in my arm little above the elbow and filled it with blood. The two cups were then held up to the view of the surrounding people who greeted them with loud cheers. The Agi now presented me with the cup of Selgie's blood, giving him the other one with mine. Upon a signal we drank off the con- riors and others. The Ag then half filled one of ,he cups again from Selgie's arm, and with my blood, made it bumper. This was stirred up with piece of bamboo and given (" Sclgie, who drank about half; he then presented the cup to me. and finished it, The noise was tremendous. Thus the great Rajah Selgfe and became brothers. After this ceremony was perfectly safe, and from that moment felt myself so, during my stay among his people. Drinking the blood, how ever, made me Ill Tor two days, as l could not throw it off my stomach. The Rajah drank his share with great gusto. As this is considered one of the greatest ceremonies, particularly on this occasion, between the great Rajah and the first European who had been seen in this country, great festivities fol- lowed, and abundance of heads were brought in, fur nothing can be done without them.- Three days and nights, all ranks of people danced around these heads, after being as usual smoked and the brains taken out, drink ing kind of toddy, which soon intoxicated them i; they were then taken care of by the women. who do not drink at least, I never observed them.
 Their Marriages.-No Diak can marry the daughter of warrior unless he has previous ly taken head or two. Neither will one of the great chiefs allow marriage with one of inferior celebrity. On a proposition being made to wed, it is referred to the Raiah, who calls before him the lover and the Gather of the girl. The formeris asked what number of heads he has taken, and the same question is put to the father. If the old man can pro. duce ten heads. the young one must have five, as, according to Selgies reasoning. hy the time the lover is of the age uf the girls fath- CT. he will ip all probability be like wise tn pos session of ten. Should the young man moi have so many, he must get them before he presumes to take another step in the affair." He then musters few friends, takes a swif, boat, and leaves that part of the country, and will not return until the number is complete, (they are often absent three months) TO return unsuccessful would expose him to rid. icule forever after. Women's heads will noi answer the purpose. They, however, gene. rally bring hack with them a few young fe.
 males. and some children, as an acceptable