The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

32 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap.
occupied by them ; but they are found also in
scattered communities throughout almost all parts
of Sarawak, and even in British North Borneo, and
they extend from their centre in Sarawak into the
adjacent regions of Dutch Borneo, which are drained
by the northern tributaries of the Great Kapuas
River.
The Sea Dayak is of a well-marked and fairly
uniform physical type. His skin is distinctly darker
than that of the other peoples of the interior, though
not quite so dark as that of most of the true Malays.
The hair of his head is more abundant and longer
than that of other peoples. His figure is well
proportioned, neat, and generally somewhat boyish.
His expression is bright and mobile, his lips and
teeth are generally distorted and discoloured by
the constant chewing of betel nut. They are a
vain, dressy, boastful, excitable, not to say frivolous
people—cheerful, talkative, sociable, fond of
fun and jokes and lively stories ; though given to
exaggeration, their statements can generally be
accepted as founded on fact ; they are industrious
and energetic, and are great wanderers ; to the last
peculiarity they owe the name of I ban, which has
been given them by the Kayans, and which has
now been generally adopted even by the Sea Dayaks
themselves.
The good qualities enumerated above render
the I ban an agreeable companion and a useful
servant. But there is another side to the picture :
they have little respect for their chiefs, a peculiarity
which renders their social organisation very defective
and chaotic ; they are quarrelsome, treacherous,
and litigious, and the most inveterate head-hunters
of the country ; unlike most of the other peoples,
they will take heads for the sake of the glory
the act brings them and for the enjoyment of
the killing ; in the pursuit of human victims they