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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igi6.J I. H. N. Evans: Sakai <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Korbu River. 77<br />
from <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir clearing. A large hill, called Gunong<br />
Takai, was in view across <strong>the</strong> river, being nearer to us than<br />
Gunong Semawak. 1 do not know if this is <strong>the</strong> same as<br />
Gunong Takor (3,850) ot <strong>the</strong> maps, but we passed <strong>the</strong> Takor<br />
River, which is not shown in <strong>the</strong>m, on <strong>the</strong> second day out from<br />
Tanjong Rambutan. This joins <strong>the</strong> Kinta close to <strong>the</strong> mouth<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Terrain, but on <strong>the</strong> opposite side.<br />
The settlement at Bukit Daroh proved to be a single house<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> communal type, about forty feet in length, by hfteen<br />
feet in breadth. The height <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lloor from <strong>the</strong> earth was,<br />
at its maximum (<strong>the</strong> house was built on sloping ground),<br />
twelve feet. The building was supported on three somewhat<br />
irregular rows <strong>of</strong> posts, many <strong>of</strong> which were <strong>of</strong> but small diameter.<br />
The greatest height ot <strong>the</strong> house from ground level<br />
was about twenty feet; <strong>the</strong>re thus being only eight feet between<br />
<strong>the</strong> floor and <strong>the</strong> ro<strong>of</strong> in <strong>the</strong> central line <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> building ;<br />
and much less at <strong>the</strong> sid< s owing to <strong>the</strong> slope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thatch.<br />
The regular inhabitants comprised four families, <strong>of</strong>, some<br />
hiteen to twenty individuals 111 all, but <strong>the</strong>y received frequent<br />
visits from o<strong>the</strong>r Sakai, who stopped a night or two with <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Sleeping platforms covered with sheet-bamboo were ranged<br />
along <strong>the</strong> walls, <strong>the</strong> interior not being divided <strong>of</strong>f into rooms,<br />
and, between opposite benches, tires were kindled on fireplaces<br />
<strong>of</strong> dried mud. Of <strong>the</strong>se <strong>the</strong>re were four, <strong>the</strong> burning logs<br />
being disposed radially on <strong>the</strong>m so that it was only necessary<br />
to push <strong>the</strong> ends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> logs with <strong>the</strong> foot in order to replenish<br />
<strong>the</strong> tire. The sleeping patforms and <strong>the</strong> hearths took up so<br />
much room that it was necessarj to step over each tire in<br />
passing from end to end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> house. During <strong>the</strong> day-time<br />
<strong>the</strong> fires were allowed to die out, or only kept smouldering ;<br />
but, at about six o'clock in <strong>the</strong> evening, when it began to get<br />
cold (<strong>the</strong> clearing was situated at a height <strong>of</strong> about two<br />
thousand feet above sea-level), <strong>the</strong> logs were pushed toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
and <strong>the</strong> fire made up. At <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> my visit, which extended<br />
over ten days, <strong>the</strong> Sakai did not seem to be very actively<br />
engaged in agricultural work, though <strong>the</strong>y were, according to<br />
what <strong>the</strong>y told me, preparing a fresh clearing. That from<br />
which <strong>the</strong> crops— chiefly <strong>of</strong> tapioca—were <strong>the</strong>n being used was<br />
situated at <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hill, on <strong>the</strong> side <strong>of</strong> which <strong>the</strong> house<br />
stood. In <strong>the</strong> morning some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> women used to go out to<br />
dig tapioca roots, and <strong>the</strong>) returned late in <strong>the</strong> day bringing<br />
<strong>the</strong>se, and occasionally some pumpkins. The latter were cut<br />
up and boiled in a large iron cauldron, <strong>the</strong> resulting broth or<br />
soup being first drunk in cocoanut shells and <strong>the</strong> pieces <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
fruit <strong>the</strong>n eaten separately. The tapioca roots were usually<br />
roasted in <strong>the</strong> embers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fires- One day <strong>the</strong> Sakai were<br />
fortunate enough to kill a young Sambhur stag in a springspear<br />
trap. The meat was hacked from <strong>the</strong> body in lumps,<br />
and rammed down into joints <strong>of</strong> green bamboo, which were<br />
placed in <strong>the</strong> fire at an angle <strong>of</strong> about thirty degrees with <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
mouths projecting from <strong>the</strong> fire and supported on a stone.<br />
The deer having been killed near <strong>the</strong> river, which lay far