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

wondrously
BURIAL RITES 141
beautiful. But the inhabitants of Hades
cannot understand what it all means, and quarrel among
themselves. Then an old learned woman, who has lived
in Hades very many years, speaks. She bids them be
silent and listen to her, and she explains that the bird has
come from the land of the living with presents for them
from their earthly friends.
Until this Pana is made, the Dyaks say
the soul of the
dead man is unsettled. It has not quite left this world,
and Hades will not receive it or give it food and drink.
But after this observance it is received and welcomed as a
regular denizen of the spirit world.
There is another observance called Sumping,
which is
sometimes carried out at a varying period after death.
The Dyaks bring the symbols and trophies of a head-
hunting raid and place them in the middle of the public
hall of the house. The wailer sings her incantation, and
procures the services of the Spirit of the Winds to convey
them to the dead, whose abode, until now full of discom-
fort and darkness, becomes at sight of these trophies
filled with light. The spirits rejoice at the thought that
their relatives have revenged upon others their own
death.
This observance, according to ancient custom, could
not be held until the head of an enemy had been obtained.
It brings out the darker and fiercer side of the Dyak
nature. They would fight with Death if they could, and
rescue their dead friends from his clutches. But as they
cannot do this, they rejoice in taking vengeance upon the
living and killing someone, so that their relatives in Hades
"
My death has been
may have the satisfaction of saying :
avenged. A life has been paid for my
life." In these
days, when the Dyaks live under a strong and just