The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1859-12-15
The Man Monkey of Nalacca. ..Their
Mode Of Life, Marriage, Customs, &c.

A correspondent Of the Boston T,au-
elcr writes from Shanghai an interesting z
account or the habits of the Jackoons, a
barbarous people who inEabit the Interior
Of Maacca. Their language and fea-
lures are unlike those of the Maays
proper, Of whom they are politically indie
pendent. They have no history, having
been found by the early Portuguese voy-
ayers in the country in which they still.
reside. They arc ooiied the Orang Ben
ner, or " men Of the great country" the
Orane Ubi, or linen Of the great rivers;'
the Orang Outans; or linen of the for
est Oraug Semang, or "blacA man =
the Jakoons and kaiats. Oran is the
Malay word for men; aud utan or wa
tang, for forest; whence the word SO com
mon with US, DURAN 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 trees, to which they ascend by rude
ladders. These cabins suspended to the
tree.teps, are So narrow that a stranger
cannot be admitted without annoyance to
member of the family, or his exclusion;
for one must 90 down when another
comes up. Others who have no taste
for arial abodes--rests, not for birds,
but for men-construct huts raised two
or three feet above the ground The
first story serves for lodging, where they
eat and sleep, by the side Of fire always
kept brightly burning, in order to fright
en- away the tigers and other wild beasts
which infest the forests. In the second
story they put their arms for safety, their
provisions and kitchen utensils, all Of
which are comprised in pixies, in earthen
pots, aud one or two colored China bowls
They eat whatever comes to hand as
wild boars, apes and birds. which last are
either taken in snares or shot by arrows,
and the roots aud tubers which the earth
produces in abundance. If they plant
rice, it is only to meet absolute wants.
Instead Of regular labor they prefer the
fatigucing adventures Of the chase, and
running among the woods. Their cuis.
inc is Of the lowest order, their favorite
dish being slices Of meat half cooked,
and still reeking with blood
Their weddings are preceded by a
most ludicrous ceremony. An old man
presents the future husband and wife 80
an assemblage of invited guests, whom
lie conducts, followed by their respective
families, into grand circle. around
which the young lady, sets out running
upon all fours, aud the young man who
is the bridegroom in the same style after
her. If he succeededs in overtaking her
she becomes his wife; if not he forfeits
all his rights "and loves labor is lost. >
This often happens when the bride
groom fails Of pleasing the young lady,
who cndeavors to escape from the EN-
braces of a dstasteful or odious hus-
band BY beating him 10 this queer trot-
ting match.
Upon the death Of one of their num-
Der they wrap his body in white wind
ing sheet, and then deposit it in the
grave dug near bis hut, sometimes ir an
erect position, sometimes sitting, aud
sometimes lying down. They are care
ful to put lance at his side, a "parting'
and ''sumpitan,' their instruments Of
hunting and Of war, but never use any
religious ceremony Still, these weap-
ons placed by the side Of the corpse indi
cate shadowy belief in : future exist.
snoS