Seventeen years among the Sea Dyaks of Borneo; a ... - Sabrizain.org

viii INTRODUCTION
to English readers a little book about Borneo, wonderful
in its general accuracy, and vivid in its descriptions ;
but it is meant especially for missionary circles and mis-
sionary reading — in fact, it was written expressly for the
Borneo Mission Association, whose objects it has done
much to promote. But it is a book about the Mission
rather than about the Dyaks, and it does not profess to
give a complete account of the entire field of Sea Dyak
life.
This is Mr. Gomes's object, and he attains it. His book
s not a mere personal narrative of life in Sarawak. We
have in it a very full, systematic, and comprehensive de-
scription of Sea Dyak life— its works, thoughts, sentiments,
superstitions, customs, religion, beliefs, and ideals. Our
attention is not directed to the magnificent beauties of
Bornean tropical scenery and luxuriant flora, nor to the
wonders of the insect life with which the land simply
abounds. Mr. Gomes sees Dyaks, and Dyaks only, in his
mind. The " "
brown humanity of the country, not its
natural history, occupies his attention. He knows that
humanity intimately, and writes from the storehouse,
which he has accumulated in long years of experience and
observation. And he puts all within manageable compass
and volume. His book is, I believe, the first which
contains a complete picture of Sea Dyak life in all its
phases, yet in moderate dimensions. And from my own
experience of some twenty years in Sarawak, I can
testify to the truthfulness of every page.
Possibly it is sometimes thought that the missionary
is not the best man to write about the people to whom
he appeals ;
that he may be easily biassed in one direction
or another, and may think too ill or too well of them,
and may allow his judgment to be overcoloured by his
religious purpose. A little experience among the people
of any race, especially where the language is not well