The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

64 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap.
these fifteen sub-tribes represent fifteen original
Kayan villages which at some remote period, before
the tribe became so widely scattered, may have
contained the whole Kayan population. At the
present time the people of each sub-tribe occupy
several villages, which in most cases, but not in all,
are within the basin of one river.
In spite of the community of tribal sentiment,
which leads Kayans always to take the part of
Kayans, and prevents the outbreak of any serious
quarrels between Kayan villages, there exist no
formal bonds between the various sub-tribes and
villages. Each village is absolutely independent
of all others, save in so far as custom and caution
prescribe that, before undertaking any important
affair (such as a removal of the village or a
warlike expedition), the chief will seek the advice,
and, if necessary, the co - operation of the chiefs
of neighbouring Kayan villages. The people of
neighbouring villages, especially the families of
the chiefs, are also bound together by many ties
of kinship ; for intermarriage is frequent.
As was said above, a Kayan village almost
invariably consists of several long houses. Each
house is ruled by a chief; but one such chief is
recognised as the head-chief of the village.
The minor and purely domestic affairs of each
house are settled by the house-chief, but all important
matters of general interest are brought
before the village-chief. In the former category
fall disputes as to ownership of domestic animals
and plants, questions of compensation for injury
or loss of borrowed boats, nets, or other articles, of
marriage and divorce, and minor personal injuries,
moral or physical. The matters to be settled by the
head-chief sitting in council with the subordinate
chiefs are those affecting the whole village, questions
of war and peace and of removal, disputes