The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

126 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap.
which he has kept behind his ear or thrust through
the hole in its shell, he rejoins his host, who awaits
him on the dais.
On such an occasion, and in fact on any other
occasion suggestive of festivity, the evening is
enlivened with oratory, song, and drink. After
supper the men gather together about the chiefs,
sitting in close-set ranks on and before the dais.
At a hint from the chief a jar of burak (rice-spirit)
is brought into the circle. This may be the property
of the chief or of any one of the principal men, who,
by voluntarily contributing in this way towards the
entertainment of the guests, maintains the honour
of the house and of its chief A little is poured
into a cup and handed to the house-chief, who first
makes a libation to the omen-birds and to all the
other friendly spiritual powers, by pouring a little
on to the ground through some crevice of the floor,
or by throwing a few drops out under the eaves,
saying, as he does so, *' Ho, all you friendly spirits."
Then he drinks a little and hands back the cup to
the young man who has taken charge of the jar
of spirit. The latter, remaining crouched upon his
heels, ladles out another cupful of spirit and offers
it in both hands to the principal guest, who drinks
it off, and expresses by a grunt and a smack of the
lips, and perhaps a shiver, his appreciation of its
quality. The cup is handed in similar formal fashion
to each of the principal guests in turn ; and then
more cups are brought into use, and the circulation
of the drink becomes more rapid and informal.
As soon as each man has had a drink, the housechief
rises to his feet and, addressing himself to
his guest, expatiates upon his admirable qualities,
and expresses eloquently the pleasure felt by him-
self and his people at this visit. Then speaking in
parables and in indirect fashion, claiming perhaps
indulgence on the ground that he is merely talking