The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

2i6 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap.
is fixed vertically with the upper end projecting
through the platform, its lower end resting on the
ground (PL 113). Its upper end is lashed to the
platform, its lower end to a pair of stout poles lashed
horizontally to trees, and its middle to another pair
of poles similarly fixed.
The next operation, the boring of the wood, is
accomplished by the aid of a straight rod of iron
about nine feet long, of slightly smaller diameter
than the bore desired for the pipe, and having one
end chisel-shaped and sharpened. One man standing
on the platform holds the iron rod vertically
above the end of the wood, and brings its sharp
chisel edge down upon the centre of the flat surface.
Lifting the rod with both hands he repeats his blow
again and again, slightly turning the rod at each
blow. He is aided in keeping the rod truly verti-
cal by two or three forked sticks fixed horizontally
at different levels above the platform in such a way
that the vertical rod slides up and down in the forks,
which thus serve as guides. The rod soon bites its
way into the wood. An assistant, squatting on the
platform with a bark-bucket of water beside him, ladles
water into the hole after every two or three strokes,
and thus causes the chips to float out. This operation
steadily pursued for about six hours completes the
boring. In boring the lower part, the craftsman
aims at producing a slight curvature of the tube by
very slightly bending the pole and lashing it in the
bent position ; the pole on being released then
straightens itself, and at the same time produces the
desired slight curvature of the bore. This curvature
is necessary in order to allow for the bending of the
blow-pipe, when in use, by the weight of the spearblade
which is lashed on bayonet -fashion. If the
desired degree of curvature is not produced in this
way, the wooden pipe, still in the rough state as
regards its outer surface, is suspended horizontally