The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

34 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap.
question the finest people of the country. Their
skin - colour is decidedly fairer than that of Sea
Dayaks or Kayans. They are of medium stature,
with long backs and short, muscular, well-rounded
limbs ; a little stumpy in build, but of graceful and
vigorous bearing. They are perhaps the most
courageous and intelligent of the peoples pug-
;
nacious, but less quarrelsome than the Sea Dayak
more energetic and excitable than the Kayan ;
hospitable and somewhat improvident, sociable and
of pleasant manners ; less reserved and of more
buoyant temperament than the Kayan ; very loyal
and obedient to their chiefs ; more truthful and
more to be depended upon under all circumstances
than any of the other peoples, except
Kayans.
possibly the
The Kenyahs speak a number of dialects of the
same language, and these differ so widely that
Kenyahs of widely separated districts cannot converse
freely with one another ; but, as with all the
peoples, except the Sea Dayaks, nearly every man
has the command of several dialects as well as of the
Kayan language.
(4) The Klemantans. Under this name we group
together a number of tribes which, though in our
opinion closely allied, are widely scattered in all
parts of Borneo, and present considerable diversities
of language and custom. In physical and mental
characters they show affinities to the Kenyahs on
the one hand and to the Muruts on the other.
They are less bellicose than the peoples mentioned
above, and have suffered much at their hands.
They are careful, intelligent, and sociable, though
somewhat timid, people ; skilful in handicrafts, but
less energetic than the Kayans and Kenyahs, and
inferior to them in metal work and the making of
swords and spears and boats. The blow-pipe is
their characteristic weapon, and they are more
;