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

UO BURIAL RITES
— generally an old man of some standing — pushes open
the window with the chopper, and the offering of food
is thrown out for the benefit of the dead man and his
spirit companions. Up to this time the near relatives of
the dead man live in strict seclusion in their room, but
after it they may come out to the public part of the house
and return to their usual occupations. But the ulit, or
mourning, is still observed, and does not come to an end
till the feast in honour of the dead (Gawai Antu) is
held.
Among tribes where professional wailers exist it is not
enough to throw the offering of food out of the window
at the back of the house. The wailer must help to send
that food to Hades. She sings her incantation and calls
upon the adjutant bird to convey the articles of food
and the tears and sobs of the relatives to the other world.
The bird, so sings the wailer, speeds on its way, and
arrives at the Country of the Dead. There the spirits are
supposed to see the visitant, and inquire where it comes
"
from and what is the object of its journey. Do you
come to look at the widows ? We have thirty-and-one ;
but only one is handsome. Do you come to seek after
maidens ? We have thirty-and-three ; but only one is
beautiful."
" No," says the bird,
widows and maidens in the land of the living ;
" we have many
and they
are all beautiful and admired of men." They ask as they
"
What is that you have brought with
see what it carries :
you so securely covered up ?"
'
Bring a vessel, and I
will pour the contents of my burden into it." A large
vessel is brought, the crowd stand expectant around, and
the bird pours out the offering of food, and lo ! the eatables,
as well as the tears and sobs of the living winch accompany
them, have become gold and silver and precious stones