Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-10-20
The Men Monkeys of Malacca-
Their Mode of Life, Marriage,
Customs. etc.

lHe Nleu monkeys Oh hlalacca-
Their Mode of Life, Marriage,
Customs, etc.
A correspondent of The Boston Traveller
writes from Shanghai an interesting account
of the habits of the Jakoons, barbarous
people who inhabit the interior of Malacca.
Their language and features are unlike
those Of the Malays proper, of whorI they
are also politically independent. They
have no history. having been found by the
early Portuguese vcyagers in the country in
which they still reside. They are called
the Orang-Bannar. or "men of tine great
country" the Orang Ybi, or "men of the
forests" the ang-Semang, or "black
men," the Jakoons and the Kaiats, Oran
is the Malay word of man; and Utan or
Hutang. for forest, whence the word so
common with US, ouran-outang, or wild men.
if men they may be called. when common
opinion has assigned them rank hardly
above monkeys and baboons.
They generally live in houses built of
bamboo sticks, and suspended to the tops Of
lofty trees. to which they ascend by rude
ladders. These cabins, suspended to the
tree-tops, are so narrow that a stranger
Cannot be admitted without annoyance to a
member of the family, or his exclusion: for
one murt 90 down when new one comes
up. Others who have no taste for these
aerial abodes-nests not for birds, but for
men-construct huts raised two or three
feet above the ground The first story SER
yes for lodging, where they eat and sleep,
by the side o. fire kept brightly burning
in order to frighten away The tigers and
other wild beasts which fill the forests, In
the second story they fut their arms for
safety. their provisions and kitchen utensils,
all of which are comprised in pixies, in
earthen pots, and one or two great. China
bowls. ...-..
They eat whatever comes to hand, as
wild boars, apes and birds, which last are
taken; either in snares or shot by arrows,
and the roots and tubers which the earth
produces in abundance. IF they plant rice,
it is only enough to- meet their absolute
wants. Instead of regular labor they pre-
fer the fatigung adventures of the chase,
and running among the woods. Their
cuisine is of the lowest order, their favor
ite dish being slices of. meat half cooked
and still reeking in blood.
Their weddings are preceded by a most
singular and ludicious ceremony. An old
man presents the future husband and wife to
a large assemblage of invited guests, whom
he conducts, followed by their respective
families, into grand circle, around which
the Young lady, the bride, sets out running
spon all fours, and the .yonng man. who is
the bridegroom, in the same style after her.
If he succeeds il overtakiDg her she becomes
his wife, if not. he forfeits all his rights, and
Stoves labor is lost" This often happens
when the Bridegroom fails of pleasing the
young lady, who endeavors to escape from
the embraces of a dlstasteful or odious hus-
band by beating him in this queer trotling
match.
Upon the death of one of their number,
they wrap his body in white winding
sheet, and then deposit it in a grave dug
near his hut, sometimes in an erect position,
sometimes sitting, and sometimes lying
down. They are careful to put lance at
his side. "parang" and ''sumpitan."
their instruments OF hunting g. of war, but
never use any religious ceremony. Still
these weapons placed by the side of the
corpse indicate a shadowy belief ina luture
existence. 49,
Their religion is confused mass of the
grosscst superstision, spropoga.ed by The
"Payans," kind ofPriests, who are halt
physicians and half jugglers. Their magi-
cal science is in great esteem with the
Malays. The singular kind of life they
lead. the popularity of their costume, and
the long intervals Of their appearance among
the people, secure for them certain pres
tige and respect. Seen from afdr and
through mysterious veil, they pass for be-
ings endowed with superhunan power, to
whom the plants and roots of the forest
have received their mos; secret virtues. In
a word, they are believed to hold in their
hands the lower of comforting health or in
fiicting death. In accordance with this be-
lief, the Malays are careful not to provoke
their ill-will.
Naturally the Jakoons ere of an open and
ingenious disposition, and wthal inclined
to gsiety To the appearance of timidity
they join the independence of life without
control, spent in the midst of thick forests
and everlasting verdure. Respectful with
out being servile, in conversation they use
an abrupt and violent tone Of voice, which
strongly contrasts with their habitual gen
tleness and modesty. They love strong
liquors and get intoxicated whenever they
have an opportunity.
1t is honorable to the zeal of the Catho-
lie priests, that they have missionary, who,
notwithstanding the low rank OF these peo-
pie in the scale of humanity, the wide ter
ritory over which they are scattered, and
the thick forests which it is necessary to
penetrete to reach them and the absence Of
all roads, while ferocious wild beasts are
thick at every step, is laboring among them
and makes his home with them.
Such are the people in whom originated
the idea and the stories about the ourang-
outang-"the man oe the Forests
GJBurleigh writes to The Boston Jour
nal, ",he parks OF New York, designed as
the lungs OF the city-the place of healthy
recreation for all classes-sre simply nui-
sanre Rowdv and loafinp men, and rude