The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1881-12-31
DOUBLE SHEET
ED IT 10 ~.
A Rampok, or Tiger Fight. Malay
Courage and Daring.

\ Singapore Journal, The Straits Times
received by last mai1, gives particulars Of
one of the extraordinary combats with fer
ociou4 wild beasts for which the Malays and
Javanese are Elmous-The R1mpOk Is usu
ally a part OF some notable public eelebra-
tiOn-In the instance related, IL took place
ut Kediri. on the occasion OF the opening Of
n new railway line from Kediri to Soura-
baya- \ great multitude had assembled, a
baud OF warriors with spears in hand formed
n square,
% In the midst u the square were eight long
md narrow pens or cages which contained two
rsylI tigers and seven pauthers, one Of which
was a black one equal % stout tiger IN size.
soon three braves made their appearance with
helmets on and sharp krisses IN seabbards, who
made obeisauce, and then one OF them, TAX
iugof the aiding door Of the frst peu threw . on
the ground with characteristic cOOness- The three
then squaltiug. made another Obeisance, and
gradually retired. After this, by means Of a long
rope, the top and side walls. Of this pen, hxed
with stakes in the ground, were drawn away,
aad the black panther lay defenceless before
thousands Of eyes directed on it
The great black panther crOuched low for
n while. with his muzzle touching the sand
OF the arena, his fierce eyes glaring Mt the
array OF his numerous enemies. and then he
Iashed To and fro his powerful tail, and
raised u cloud OF dust around him Now
there Is n cry from the ranks of the square,
and a speedy presentation Of spears, as the
terrible animal is Preparing to spring. He
crawls forward like a eat approaching his
prey and then with roar n great black
mass leaps into the air, and descending up
on the watchful men, is received upon SER
r!ed points of numerous spears, and is slain.
One great tiger burst through the armed
line, with long spear sticking in his side,
and caused immense CONSERVATION among
the unaTmed multitude, but was pursued
and despatched by three warriors; and an
other tiger that had met the spear thrusts,
and recOiled wounded, and lay growing
savagely within the arena, was sprung up
on by n single, active bold warrior and
slain. One Javanese in his determined de-
sire to kill n wounded tiger, rushed upon 1t
and despatched it with his kriss, but not be-
fore the dying tiger 4" bit out a piece of the
calf OF the slayer's leg"
The rampok, or tiger fight is for the Ma
lay and Javanese people, what the bull fight
is for the Spaniards, and the horse race is
for English and Americans,-an expression
of the national spirit for courage, high
action, and possible danger.
The rampOk is denounced by certain Eu-
rOpeans, as having an " "immoral tendency,
and rs not very complimentary evidence
of the disposition Of the people, among
whom rs favOrite public sports, they enjoy
n popularity like that Of horse races among
the English" This il carrying n certain
sentImentality rather far. Tigers abound
in Java, SumAtra, and the Malay Peninsu-
Ia. It was stated few years ago in Singa-
pore journals that when that island was
very largely wild impossible jungle, that
the loss OF human life, in the settlements
averaged more than one per day. or about
200 men and women, killed and devoured
by tigers, on the island Of Singapore in one
year And surely the people should make
war on the tiger in every way but II -
objected, that the Staying Of them should
not be made a sport.
This dangerous sport, the ramPOk, leads
Us to a few reflections. The Malay-Java-
nese races maintain IL. Must there not be
among such people. multitudes Of men,
trained to take part in such sport, who have
n high development Of muscle and nerve?
Who would like TO meet the spring of a tt
ger. even with a spear in hand? such sports
should maintain the vigOr OF n race and il
will not seem reasonable that a people who
delight in, and encourage n tiger fight,
"have not the energy" n our Royal Ha-
wafiau Commissioner says, to establish
themselves ." a. n social or political force"
OF course, the training for tiger fight, will
not qualify men TO be bankers, planters, or
good traders any more than the training
OF Hawaiians To be spear-thrOwers, surf
riders, precipice-leapers and divers, would
qualify them for those peaceful and pruduc-
tive ayocatious. But considering race, a.
created and appointed by Providence to
have place and fulfil a mission in the
world Il will be well for il to maintain the
exercise Of whatever promotes its vitality
and mauIiness. And il is we'll for the Ma
Laws and Javauese that they maintain the
rampok and it Is a misfortune for Hawaii
ans, that they have been induced To give up
the practice Of all their ancient athletic
sDOrts.