The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

238 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap.
palembanica), and that the only tools used are the
axe, sword, and knife. The animals most frequently
represented are the dog, crocodile, monkey, horn-
bill, and bear (Pis. 122, 125, Figs. 45, 46, 54-57).
Carved dogs, comparatively little conventionalised,
are sometimes used as the supports of low platforms
upon which the chiefs may sit on ceremonious
occasions.
(3) The handles of the swords, generally of deer's
antlers, but sometimes of wood, exhibit a group
of highly peculiar closely allied designs. All these
seem to be derived from the human form, although
in many cases this can only be traced in the
light of forms intermediate between the less and
the more highly conventionalised (Pis. 129, 184).
In examples in which the human form is most
obvious, it has the following position and character :
The butt end of the blade is sunk in a piece
(about six inches in length) of the main shaft of
the antler at its distal or upper end. This piece
constitutes the grip of the handle or hilt. The
proximal or lowest point of the antler projecting
at an angle of some 70° from the grip is cut down
to a length of some four inches, forming a spur
standing in the plane of the blade and towards
its cutting edge. The grip is lashed with fine
strips of rattan. The spur and the thick end in
which the spur and the grip unite are elaborately
carved. If the sword is held horizontally, its
point directed forwards and its cutting edge upwards,
the butt end is presented with the spur vertically
before the face of the observer. It will then be
seen that the surface turned to the observer presents
the principal features of the human figure, standing
with arms akimbo face to face with the observer.
The key to the puzzle is the double row
of teeth. Above this are the two eyes. Below the
level of the mouth the elbows project laterally, and
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