The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

CHAPTER VII
THE DAILY LIFE OF A KAYAN LONG HOUSE
A LITTLE before dawn the cocks roosting beneath
the house awaken the household by their crowing
and the flapping of their wings. The pigs begin to
grunt and squeal, and the dogs begin to trot to and
fro in the gallery. Before the first streaks of daylight
appear, the women light the fires in the private
rooms or blow up the smouldering embers ; then
most of them descend from the house, each carrying
in a basket slung on her back several bamboo watervessels
to be filled from the river. Many of them
bathe at this time in the shallow water beside the
bank, while the toilet of others consists in dashing
water over their faces, washing their mouths with
water, and rubbing their teeth with the forefinger.
Returning to the house with their loads of water (PL
63), they boil rice for the household breakfasts and
for the dinner of those who are to spend the day in
xh^padi field or the jungle. The boiled rice intended
for the latter use is made up in packets wrapped in
green leaves, each containing sufficient for a meal
for one person. About half-past six, when the daylight
is fully come, the pigs expectant of their meal
are clamouring loudly for it. The women descend
to them by ladders leading from the private rooms,
and each gives to the pigs of her household the
leavings of the meals of the previous day. About
the same time the men begin to bestir themselves
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