The Malay archipelago : the land of the orang-utan ... - Wallace Online

The Malay archipelago : the land of the orang-utan ... - Wallace Online The Malay archipelago : the land of the orang-utan ... - Wallace Online

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THE 31ALAY ARCHIPELAGO.[chap.shells, an unstrung bow, and a standard or war flag. This deitywas a special favourite among the old Javanese, and her imageis often found in the ruined temjDles which abound in theeastern part of the island.The specimen I had obtained was a small one, about two feethigh, weighing perhaps a hundredweight ; and the next day wehad it conveyed to Modjo-kerto to await my return to Sourabaya.Having decided to stay some time at Wonosalem, on the lowerAXC7T,ST EA.S-EELIEF.slopes of the Arjuna Mountain, where I was informed I shouldfind foi'est and plenty of game, I had first to obtain a recommendationfrom the Assistant Resident to the Regent, and thenan order from the Regent to the Waidono ; and wlien after aweek's delay I arrived with my baggage and men at Modjoagong,I found them all in the midst of a five days' feast, tocelebrate the circumcision of theWaidono's younger brother andcousin, and had a small room in an outhouse given me to stay in.

VII.] JAVA. 79The courtyard and the great open reception-shed were full ofnatives coming and going and making preparations for a feastwhich was to take place at midnight, to which I was invited, butpreferred going to bed. A native band, or Gamelang, was playingalmost all the evening, and I liad a good opportunity ofseeing the instruments and musicians. The former ai-e chieflygongs of various sizes, arranged in sets of from eight to twelve,on low wooden fz'ames. Each set is played by one performerwith one or two drumsticks. There are also some very largegongs, played singly or in pairs, and taking the place of ourdrums and kettledrums. Other instruments are foi'med by broadmetallic bars, supported on strings stretched across frames ; andothers again of strips of bamboo similarly placed and producingthe highest notes. Besides these there were a flute and a cunoustwo-stringed violin, requiring in all twenty-four performers.Thei-e was a conductor, Avho led ofT and regulated the time, andeach performer took his part, coming in occasionally with a fewbars so as to form a harmonious combination. The pieces plaj'-edwere long and complicated, and some of the players were mereboys, who took their parts with great precision. The generaleflfect was very pleasing, but, owing to the similarity of most ofthe instruments, more like a gigantic musical box tlian one ofour bands ; and in order to enjoy it thoroughly it is necessaryto watch the large number of perfonners who are engaged in it.The next morning, while I was waiting for the men and horseswho were to take me and my baggage to my destination, thetwo lads, who were about fourteen years old, were brought out,clothed in a sarong from the waist downwards, and having thewhole body covered with a yellow powder, and profusely decked-with white blossoms in wreaths, necklaces, and armlets, lookingat first sight very like savage brides. They were conducted bytwo priests to a bench placed in front of the house in the openair, and the ceremony of circumcision was then performed beforethe assembled crowd.The road to Wonosalem led through a magnificent forest, inthe depths of which we passed a tine ruin of what appeared tohave been a royal tomb or mausoleum. It is formed entirely ofstone, and elaborately carved. Near the base is a course ofboldly projecting blocks, sculptured in liigli relief, with a seriesof scenes which are probably incidents in the life of the defunct.These are all beautifully executed, some of the figures of animalsin particular being easily recognizable and very accurate. Thegeneral design, as far as the ruined state of the upper part willpermit of its being seen, is very good, eftect being given by animmense number and variety of projecting or retreating coursesof squared stones in place of mouldings. The size of this structureis about thirty feet square by twenty high, and as the travellercomes suddenly upon it on a small elevation by the roadside,overshadowed by gigantic trees, overrun with plants andcreepers, and closely backed by the gloomy forest, he is struck

THE 31ALAY ARCHIPELAGO.[chap.shells, an unstrung bow, and a standard or war flag. This deitywas a special favourite among <strong>the</strong> old Javanese, and her imageis <strong>of</strong>ten found in <strong>the</strong> ruined temjDles which abound in <strong>the</strong>eastern part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> is<strong>land</strong>.<strong>The</strong> specimen I had obtained was a small one, about two feethigh, weighing perhaps a hundredweight ; and <strong>the</strong> next day wehad it conveyed to Modjo-kerto to await my return to Sourabaya.Having decided to stay some time at Wonosalem, on <strong>the</strong> lowerAXC7T,ST EA.S-EELIEF.slopes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Arjuna Mountain, where I was informed I shouldfind foi'est and plenty <strong>of</strong> game, I had first to obtain a recommendationfrom <strong>the</strong> Assistant Resident to <strong>the</strong> Regent, and <strong>the</strong>nan order from <strong>the</strong> Regent to <strong>the</strong> Waidono ; and wlien after aweek's delay I arrived with my baggage and men at Modjoagong,I found <strong>the</strong>m all in <strong>the</strong> midst <strong>of</strong> a five days' feast, tocelebrate <strong>the</strong> circumcision <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Waidono's younger bro<strong>the</strong>r andcousin, and had a small room in an outhouse given me to stay in.

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