The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

X WAR 169
cigarette) is lighted in the boat, and the position is
explained more fully to the bird, but without any
mention of the name of the enemy. The observers
then erect a hut near the omen-pole for their
shelter, and pass the night there before looking
out for the omen-bird next desired. This is the
trogan {Harpades Duvaucelii), which has a peculiar
soft trilling note and a brilliant red chest. When
this bird appears, it is addressed in the same way
as the spider-hunter ; and this second step of the
process is also marked by a feathered stick thrust into
the ground before the hut. Then they spend
another night in the hut hoping for significant
dreams. To dream of abundance of fruit (which
symbolises heads) is favourable ; any dream of a
disagreeable or fearful situation is unfavourable.
After a favourable dream comes the most important
stage of the business, the observation of the hawks.
They look for Laki Neho from the door of their
hut about nine o'clock in the morning. As soon as
a hawk is seen, they light a fire and call on him to
go to the left, waving a feathered stick in that
direction, and, shouting at the top of his voice, one
of them pours out a torrent of words addressed to
the hawk. If he goes out of sight towards the
right, they console themselves by remarking that
he is one of low degree, and they sit down to wait
for another. If two hawks are seen to fight in the
air, that foretells much bloodshed. They are not
satisfied until they see a hawk sail far away out of
sight towards the left. Then a break is made ; after
which they observe the hawks again, until they see
one sail out of sight towards the right. If all
this is accomplished without the intervention of
unfavourable omens, they return home to report
progress ; but immediately return to the hut and
remain there. Then for one, two, or even three
days, all the men of the house stay at home quietly,