The Holbrook news. (Holbrook, Navajo County [Ariz.]) 1909-1923, 1912-09-20

llOn, unQGT the QlT0CIlOQ OIL IU0
Smithsonian Institution, brings
! into prominence an island
about which comparatively lit
lie is known. This is particularly true
If eastern Dutch Borneo, the ex-
)loration of which will be conducted
W H. c. Raven, young and enthusi-
lstic naturalist. 1t is proposed to
make collection of vertebrates. and
chronological material for the United
States National Museum, the journey
consuming the greater portion of a
rear.
Excepting Australia, the island of
| 3orneo, in the Malay archipelago,
Iouthwest of the Philippines, is the
argest in the world. Approximately
wo-thirds Of the total area of 1885, 700
Iquare miles is Dutch territory. Sara
wax, on the northern coast, is a Brit
sh possession, and while its territory
limited, it is the more densely pop
Hated and it is here that civilization
las made its greatest progress among
he native Dyaks.
Good and Bad Qualities.
ne DydhS, llh0 uIOSl OlnOI pCOPAC,
lave their good and bad points. They
lave a reputation for head-hunting, to
be sure, but according to their code
If ethics, no fellow can hope to win
he hand of his dusky lady-love until
he has become possessor of an enc
ny's head. While the Dyak has
gracefully resisted all efforts Of mis-
,ionaries, he has but a simple set OF
Iuperstitions, with absolutely no form
If worship, for a religion. One of his
beliefs is that to die with no head to
his credit would mean a restless soul.
or whatever its equivalent may be. in
Dyak reasoning. The good and the
bad all go beneath the earth, each to
different place.
Time was when head-hunting was
carried on to a very large extent, both
b native warfares and by pillaging
parties, but the English invasion in
he north partially remedied condi-
Hons by convincing the savages that
wholesale slaughter was not good
sport. Certain tribes are inclined to
,e treacherous and would rather en-
gage in conquest upon a peaceable
neighbor than follow the pillow. 9th
BIS could give civilized man object les
IONS in honesty. In fact, there are
many lessons which the savage might
leach the modern man-and woman,
proving some Of the communications of
civilization.
The Dyak does not believe in d.
Force and such a thing is unknown.
Fidelity and the worship of their chill
iren fortify the Dyak home in a man
1er not always to be found in more
enlightened communities. The native
Is not given to strong drink, which is
also another mark in his favor. He
may be shiftless, even downright |
lazy, but you can scarcely blame him
Tor that. He lives right under the |
equator
There are many different divisions |
terent customs and dialects They |
are presumed to be the aborigines of |
Borneo, of Malay extraction, although
here are indications of Chinese and
Hindu ancestry. The native is a semi
savage, of yellowish-brown complex
on, with straight, glossy-black hair,
smooth, intelligent face, and is of
medium staturs. His usual garb is
bark loin cloth, the women wearing
oetticoat from hip to knee, with ever
10 much brass wire encircling their
aecks and waists.
The '1ong house is the typical
iwelling, consisting of 20 rooms, per-
laps more, built side by side, facing
IN a wide covered hall The struc-
lure, built on poles, is raised from the
ground perhaps to 10 feet. On~
amily occupies each room, while the
lan is used in common for cooking,
,hfld play and similar domestic pub
,oses. The harmony thus maintained