The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

I30 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap.v:,
clamorously invite the guests to sit down before
their chamber. The guests thus become scattered
through the house. First they are offered betel
nut and sirih leaf smeared with lime to chew, for
among the Sea Dayaks this chewing takes the
place of the smoking of cigarettes which is common
to all the others; and they are then fed and entertained
individually, or by twos and threes, in various
rooms. No pig is killed or rice-spirit offered, though
possibly a toasted bat or bit of salted wild pig will
be served as a relish.
At great feasts the Sea Dayaks drink more
freely than the other peoples, except the Muruts.
Men and women alike drink deeply, and many
become intoxicated. The men take pride in drinking
the largest possible quantity; and when the
stomach is filled, will vomit up large quantities, and
then at once drink more, the women pressing it
upon them. The Dayaks and Muruts alone thus
sink in the matter of drink to the level of those
highly cultured Europeans among whom a similar
habit obtains: while among all the other tribes
strong drink is seldom or never abused, but rather
is put only to its proper use, the promotion of good
fellowship and social gaiety.