Sarawak | Its Inhabitants and Productions | Hugh Low | Taylor & Franci

ABSTRACT

First Published in 1968. This book contains remarks made from the author’s notes collected during a residence of about thirty months in Sarawak, and the west coast of Borneo. The initial focus of the visit (the collection of plants and seeds,) led him more into the country, and amongst the tribes of aborigines, than any other Englishman who has yet visited the shores of this Island at the time.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

chapter Chapter I|29 pages

geographical description of borneo—british and dutch settlements on the island—its mountains, rivers, lakes, and volcanoes—the eruption of tomboro—coal found in the island of labuh-an—the mode of working antimony ore—minerals in borneo—gold found in sarawak—the mode of working it in the island, and its produce estimated by sir stamford raffles—gold an export of sarawak—diamonds in borneo.

chapter Chapter II|41 pages

the temperature and soil of borneo—the vegetable productions of the island described in succession—the sugar cane—spices—the nibong—the bamboo—rice—the cocoa-nut—sago—the gomuti palm—its uses—the betel, or areca nut—rattans and canes—the nipah and mangrove—camphor—vegetable oils—the gutta percha—the upas tree—dammar—wild cinnamon and cotton—pepper and coffee—gambier and tobacco—timber trees—ornamental and scented woods—flowers.

chapter Chapter III|22 pages

the fruits of borneo—animated nature—the rhinoceros—the tapir—the bear—deer—the kijang and palandok—the panther—varieties of cats—anecdote of an orang utan—monkeys—alligators—the alligator doctor—the mode of operation—lizards—snakes and vipers—the cobra and flower-snake—insects—fish and fishing establishments—buffaloes—hares—goats—pigs—dogs—domestic fowls.

chapter Chapter IV|30 pages

the kingdom of borneo—the malays—the bugis people of celebes—the aborigines—dutch and english settlements—major muller's expedition—mr. murray killed—present state of the capital—the sultan—sarawak and mr. brooke's possessions—description of sarawak—its chiefs—its native merchants and inhabitants—dyak slaves in borneo—their treatment and price in the market—slave debtors.

chapter Chapter V|42 pages

arab descendants of the prophet—their impositions and superstitions—piracy—action of the nemesis—gambling and opium smoking—criminal trials and punishments—imports and exports of sarawak—manners of the people—education—dress and appearance of malay women—oil for the hair—a superstition—marriages—price of a wife—running a-muck—arts and manufactures—palace of the sultan—market of bruni—malay fishing—traders at sarawak—wars of the people—their weapons—association with europeans.

chapter Chapter VI|41 pages

sea-dyaks—tribes of lundu, sakarran, and sarebas—dyak houses—language, religion, and superstitions—the manang, or village doctor—dress of dyaks and of their women—several of their chiefs—anecdote of one—head-taking—gratitude to mr. brooke—piracy of sea-dyaks—its suppression—dyak laxity of manners—their love of their children—duties and labours of the men and women—captive dyak children—cookery of the dyaks—their funerals and funeral ceremonies.

chapter Chapter VII|33 pages

treatment of a captured head—sea-dyak games—their progress in the useful arts—the blacksmith—their weapons—wars—balance of heads—preservation of enemies' heads—head-hunting—sea-dyak boats—boat engagements—bravery of the chief of lundu—defensive warfare—mode of rowing—a chief's superstition—dyak agriculture—preparing land for a farm—padi and indian corn—granaries—mode of reaping the padi—dyak gardens—their produce—fruit trefs—traps for deer and pigs—cage-traps and springes for birds—strange mode of fishing.

chapter Chapter VIII|39 pages

the hill dyaks—their character—their religion and superstitions—their deities—invocation of them—propitiation of them and of the rajah—ceremony performed by mr. brooke—the pamali, or “taboo”—a dyak funeral—a peculiar superstition of the dyaks—their abstinence from animal food—ancient dyak monuments and dragon-jars—their veneration for certain plants—superstition of the dyaks of sarawak—speculations as to the origin of the dyaks.

chapter Chapter IX|43 pages

land dyak villages and houses—the pangah—dyak fortifications—their paths and bridges—mode of travelling—the orang kaya—dyak assemblies, or parliament—their population—villages—dyak tribes in sarawak—their morality and marriage ceremonies—a curious and salutary custom—head-taking—dyak diseases, medicine and surgery—mode of cure—musical instruments and singing—weapons—the tapang tree—mode of procuring wax and edible birds' nests—agriculture—landowners.

chapter Chapter X|29 pages

the kyans—their commerce—the kyans foes of the dyaks—tattooing—kyan dress—imputed character of the kyans—their war dresses—their weapons—the sampitan—their swords and knives—their courage—their shields—human sacrifices—kyan mode of transacting business—the milanowes and the meri people—an albino—the rejans, kadyans, and other tribes—the sea-gipsies—openings for british enterprise—probable scientific investigations by dr. hooker.

chapter Chapter XI|23 pages

illustrations.

chapter Chapter XII|15 pages

illustrations.

chapter Chapter XIII|19 pages

illustrations.