Journal of the Federated Malay States museums - Sabrizain.org

io6 Journal of the F.M.S. Museums. [Vol. VI,
Sakai Semlai (or Semleh). The latter name refers to their
language, which, for some undiscoverable reason, is called
Semlai. According to their own account they call themselves
Bekturk CJiong, which has exactly the same meaning as the
Malay, Orang Bukit, i.e. Hill People.
TRIBAL OFFICERS.
The following are the names of tribal officers given in
their correct order of precedence.
1. Batin.
2. Mentri or Jukrah,
Jinang.
3.
On the death of the Batin the Jukrah usually replaces
him, and the Jinang becomes Jukrah.
HABITATIONS.
The few houses seen were similar to those of the poorer
local Malays, except that they lacked a cook house (dapor) and
were not divided up into rooms. The house walls were made
of the bark of the kepong tree and the floor was of bamboo
laths. Cooking was done on an open hearth of dried mud.
One house had the space between the floor and the ground
fenced in to form a fold (kandang) , for a few goats which the
owner was rearing.
BLOW-PIPES, QUIVERS AND DART POISON.
The blow-pipe is similar to that of the Pertang people.
The only dart-quiver seen was without a cover. Poison for
blow-pipe darts was said to be composed of the juice of the
kayas tree (Antiaris toxicaria) mixed with akar ipoh (probably
some species of strychnos).
FIRE-MAKING.
The methods of making fire with a rattan saw and a
block of soft wood, or with a drill and block were both known.
AGRICULTURE.
The houses of the Bahau settlement were situated in a
fairly large clearing planted with kaladi, but tibi kayii (tapioca)
and hill rice are also grown to a certain extent. According to
the Jukrah, a clearing is only used for a year i.e., long enough
to get a crop from it, and is then abandoned.
INTOXICANTS.
As among several of the tribes of Selangor and Negri
Sembilan, notably the Besisi, an intoxicating drink is brewed
from the tanipoi fruit. The liquor is not stored, but consumed
as soon as ready for use. The tampoi season is the great time