River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-08-01


III into prominence an island
about which comparatively lit
tie is known. This is particularly true
Of eastern Dutch Borneo, the ex-
ploration Of which will be conducted
by H. c. Raven, a young and enthusi-
astic naturalist. 1t is proposed to
make a collection of vertebrates and
Astrological material for the United
States National Museum, the journey
consuming the greater portion OF
year.
Excepting Australia, the island of
8orneO, In the Malay archipelago,
southwest of the Philippines, is the
largest in the world. Approximately
.wo-thirds of the total area Of 296,700
square miles is Dutch territory. Sara
wax, on the northern coast, is Brit
tsh possession, and while it's territory
Is limited, it is the more densely pop
ulated and it is here that civilization
has made it's greatest progress among
the native Dyaks.
Good and Bad Qualities.
The Dyaks, like most other people,
have their good and bad points. They
have reputation for head-hunting, to
be sure. but according to their code
Of ethics, no fellow can hope to win
the hand of his dusky lady-love until
he has become possessor of an enc
my's head. While the Dyak has
gracefully resisted all efforts Of mis-
I, hut civ mi Of n
superstitions, with absolutely no form
of worship, for religion. One of his
beliefs is that to die with no head to
his credit would mean restless soul,
or whatever it's equivalent may be In
Dyak reasoning The good and the
bad all go beneath the earth, each to
a different place.
Time was when head-hunting was
carried on to very large extent, both
In native warfares and by pillaging
parties. but the English invasion In
the north partially remedied condi-
tons by convincing the savages that
wholesale slaughter was not good
sport. Certain tribes are inclined to
be treacherous and would rather en-
gage In conquest upon peaceable
neighbor than follow the plow. 9th
ers could give civilized man object les
Ions in honesty. In fact, there are
MANY lessons which the savage might
teach the modern man-and woman
proving some of the concentrations of
civilization.
The Dyak does not believe in d.
vorce and such thing Is unknown
Fidelity and the worship of their chill.
dren fortify the Dyak home in man
ner 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
for that. He lives right under the
equator.
There are many different divisions
and tribes of Dyaks, each having diff
ferent customs and dialects. They
are presumed to be the aborigines OF
Borneo, of Malay extraction, although
there are indications OF Chinese and
Hindu ancestry. The native is semi
savage, Of yellowish-brown complex.
ion. with straight. glossy-black hair, a
smooth. intelligent face, and is of
medium staturs. His usual garb Is q
bark loin cloth, the women wearing a
petticoat from hip to knee, with ever
so much brass wire encircling their
necks and waists.
The slong house" is the typical
dwelling. consisting OF 20 rooms, per
haps more. built side by side, facing
on a wide covered hall. The struc
ture. built on poles, is raised from the
ground perhaps to Is feet One
| family occupies each room, while the
hall is used in common for cooking
child play and similar domestic pur-
poses. The harmony thus maintained
bespeaks the peacea5le nature Of the
Dyak in home life.
Without Social Laws.
These strange people, without so
cial laws. written language, creed OF
education. are happy, honest and pay
their debts faithfully. Moreover. they
have none of the diseases common to
civilization. Fever, dysentery, oph
thalmia Ga disease of the eye). and
ichfhyosis. which causes cracking
- tba slxin are the most common all
ments. Insanity is rare
Dvak customs prohibit consanguin
eous marriages. even the marriage Of
cousins constituting rank offense
Marriage ceremonies are simple and