Journal of the Federated Malay States museums - Sabrizain.org
Journal of the Federated Malay States museums - Sabrizain.org
Journal of the Federated Malay States museums - Sabrizain.org
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X. NOTES ON THE SAKAJ OF THE KORBU<br />
RIVER AND OF THE ULU KINTA.<br />
By Ivor H. N. Evans, B.A., Assistant Curator and Ethno-<br />
graphical Assistant, F.M.S. Museums.<br />
In February 1916, I started from Sungei Siput cm an<br />
expedition to <strong>the</strong> Korbu River (or Kerbau), intending, ii<br />
everything was favourable, to pass from its headwaters to <strong>the</strong><br />
Kinta River, and to return, via <strong>the</strong> Kinta Valley, to Tanjong<br />
Rambutan.<br />
Sakai coolies were unobtainable; so not wishing to take<br />
<strong>Malay</strong>s, even if I could get <strong>the</strong>m, as <strong>the</strong>y always welcome every<br />
opportunity <strong>of</strong> plundering <strong>the</strong> Sakai, I finally hired three<br />
elephants, with drivers, to take my baggage to Kuala Larek on<br />
<strong>the</strong> Korbu. Between Jalong and that place, I hoped to be<br />
able to recruit Sakai coolies, as <strong>the</strong> Penghulu <strong>of</strong> Sungei Siput<br />
told me that he thought that I should be able to obtain <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Turning <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> main road at Plang we followed <strong>the</strong> elephant<br />
track which runs from that place to Jalong. This is much<br />
longer than <strong>the</strong> bridle-path, a distance <strong>of</strong> only about ten<br />
miles. We reached Jalong on <strong>the</strong> second day from Sungei<br />
Siput. passing two Sakai settlements on <strong>the</strong> first day, one near<br />
<strong>the</strong> Krodah River, and ano<strong>the</strong>r between <strong>the</strong> Krodah (or Kerdah;<br />
and Sungei Siput. I saw one or two men from <strong>the</strong>m and <strong>the</strong>y<br />
seemed very much civilised, but 1 did not visit <strong>the</strong>ir houses.<br />
On our arrival at Jalong, where <strong>the</strong>re is a loading stage ti<br />
elephants, we pushed on for about ano<strong>the</strong>r mile and a lull to 1<br />
Sakai settlement called Simpang, which is situated not far<br />
above Kuala Lengkar. Here I tried to obtain coolies from<br />
Toh Intan, <strong>the</strong> headman, but he pointed out that, besides<br />
himself, <strong>the</strong>re were only five men in his village at <strong>the</strong> time, and<br />
that two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se were suffering from ulcers, and were unlit for<br />
work. Questioned about <strong>the</strong> possibility <strong>of</strong> getting men at Kuala<br />
Larek, he told me that <strong>the</strong>re were none <strong>the</strong>re except his fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />
and one youth. He fur<strong>the</strong>r stated that a great many Sakai had<br />
died in <strong>the</strong> district recently. In spite <strong>of</strong> this. I resolved to go<br />
on to Kuala Larek on <strong>the</strong> morrow to see for myself if what he<br />
told me was true. We <strong>the</strong>refore started fairly early <strong>the</strong> next<br />
morning. On <strong>the</strong> way we passed two Sakai clearings, one<br />
with ripe padi standing in it. <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r with felled trees still<br />
lying everywhere. Both <strong>the</strong>se had. so Toh Intan. who came<br />
with us, informed me, been deserted owing to <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
head <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> house. Arrived at Kuala Larek, I found that Toh<br />
Intan's information was perfectly correct: so <strong>the</strong>re remained<br />
, nothing to do but to return to Sungei Siput. Our first daj on<br />
<strong>the</strong> way back again, tookus to Simpang, when- we hid ra<strong>the</strong>i an<br />
exciting night, as a herd <strong>of</strong> wild elephants broke into <strong>the</strong> Sakai;<br />
padi crops and, after destroying nearly <strong>the</strong> whole oi <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
were driven <strong>of</strong>f with considerable diffioultv. From Simpnn«<br />
December, 1916. 6