The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

54 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap.
its centre by the pile ; this serves to prevent rats
and mice gaining access to the bin. The shingle
roof of the bin is like that of the house, but the two
ends are filled by sloping surfaces running up under
the gables. There are generally also a few fruit
trees and tobacco plants in the space cleared round
about the house ; and
in the space between it and
the river are usually some rudely carved wooden
figures, around which rites and ceremonies are performed
from time to time.
Kayan villages generally consist of several, in
some cases as many as seven or eight, such houses
of various lengths, grouped closely together. The
favourite situation for such a village is a peninsula
formed by a sharp bend of the river.
Of the houses built by the other peoples, those
of the Kenyahs very closely resemble those of the
Kayans. The Kenyah village frequently consists
of a single long house (and with the Sea Dayaks
this is invariably the case), and it is in many cases
perched on a high steep bank immediately above
the river. Some of the Klemantans also build
houses little if at all inferior to those of the Kayans,
and very similar to them in general plan. But
in this as in all other respects the Klemantans
exhibit great diversities, some of their houses being
built in a comparatively flimsy manner, light timber
and even bamboos being used, and the roof being
made of leaves. The houses of the Muruts are
small and low, and of poor construction.
The Sea Dayak's house differs from that of the
Kayan more than any of the others. The general
plan is the same ;
but the place of the few massive
piles is taken by a much larger number of slender
piles, which pass up to the roof through the gallery
and chambers. Of the gallery only a narrow passageway
alongside the main partition-wall is kept clear
of piles and other obstructions. The floor is of