The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

XI HANDICRAFTS 215
centric circles at intervals of about one inch. The
peripheral edges are sewn to a slender strip of rattan
bent to form a circle, the two ends overlapping. The
centre is generally finished with a disc of metal or
strong cloth on the outer surface (PI. 45). The hats
hung upon the tombs are decorated on the upper
surface with bold designs painted in black and red.
Most of the other tribes make similar hats, and the
Malanaus and Land Dayaks are especially skilled
in this craft. The former make very large hats of
similar shape, the upper surface being of strips of
rattan dyed red and black, and woven to form
elaborate patterns.
Besides these sun-hats, the Kayans and Kenyahs
and some of the Klemantans weave with fine strips
of rattan close-fitting skull-caps and head-bands.
The ends of the strips, some three or four inches
in length, are sometimes left projecting from the
centre or forming a fringe round the lower edge.
The close-fitting hemispherical war-cap is made
of rattans about half an inch thick split in halves.
The Making of the Blow-pipe
The blow-pipe or stmtpitan is perhaps the finest
product of native Bornean craftmanship. It is made
by Kayans, Kenyahs, and Punans, and rarely by
Ibans and Klemantans.
The best sumpitans are made from the hard
straight-grained wood of ih^ jagang tree. Having
chosen and felled the tree, often one of large size,
the craftsman splits from it long pieces about eight
feet in length. Such a piece is shaved with the adze
until it is roughly cylindrical and three to four inches
in diameter (PI. 112). The piece may be carried
home to be worked at leisure, or the boring may be
done upon the spot. A platform is erected about
seven feet above the ground ; and the prepared rod