The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

CHAP. Ill THE PEOPLES OF BORNEO 29
gold which they found in the river gravel and
alluvium. These also have intermarried with the
people of the country ; but they have retained their
national characteristics, and have been continually
recruited by considerable numbers of their fellowcountrymen.
Since the establishment of peace and
order and security for life and property by the
European administrations, and with the consequent
development of trade during the last half-century,
the influx of Chinese has been very rapid ; until
at the present time they form large communities
in and about all the chief centres of trade. A
certain number of Chinese traders continue to
penetrate far into the interior, and some of these
take wives of the people of the country ; in many
cases their children become members of their
mothers' tribes and so are blended with the native
stocks.
Among the Mohammedans, who are found in all
the coast regions of Borneo, there is a considerable
number of persons who claim Arab forefathers ;
and
there can be no doubt that the introduction of the
Mohammedan religion was largely due to Arab
traders, and that many Arabs and their half-bred
descendants have held official positions under the
Sultans of Bruni.
During the last half-century, natives of India, most
of whom are Klings from Madras, have established
themselves in the small trades of the towns ; and
of others who came as coolies, some have settled
in the towns with their wives and families. These
people do not penetrate into the interior or intermarry
with the natives.
With the exception of the above - mentioned
immigrants and their descendants, the population
of Borneo may be described as falling naturally
into two great classes ; namely, on the one hand
those who have accepted, nominally at least, the