The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

XII DECORATIVE ART 231
threads. The surface of the bamboo to which the
lashing is applied is generally scraped away to a
depth of about one-sixteenth of an inch ; it is thus
rendered less slippery than the natural surface, and
is therefore gripped more firmly by the lashing,
and the surface of the lashing is brought flush with
the unlashed natural surface. The effect is not
only a highly ornamental appearance, but also a
greatly increased durability of the box, the natural
tendency of the bamboo to split longitudinally being
very effectively counteracted.
Similar fine decorative lashing is used by all
the tribes for binding together the two halves of
the sword sheath, and for binding the haft of knife
or sword where it grips the metal blade, though
brass wire is sometimes used for this purpose.
Closely allied to this lashing is the production
of decorative knots. A considerable variety of
knots are in common use ; they are always well
tied and practically effective, but some are elaborated
for decorative purposes to form rosettes, especially
by Kayans in making their sword sheaths.
Painting
We have stated above that the carved woodwork
is often painted with black, red, and white pigments.
It must be added that wooden surfaces are often
painted on the flat, especially shields, the outer
surfaces of walls oipadi huts, and tombs, also grave
hats and the gunwales of boats, and decorative
planks in the inner walls of the long gallery of the
house. The Kenyahs and some of the Klemantans,
especially the Skapans and Barawans, are most
skilled in, and make most use of, this form of
decoration ; but it is probably practised in some
degree by all the peoples.
The three pigments mentioned above—black, red,