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

196 DYAK RELIGION
There are a large number of gods mentioned by name
in the Dyak incantations, but the following are the most
deities :
important
Singalang Burong takes the highest position in honour
and dignity, and is the ruler of the spirit-world. He
stands at the head of the Dyak pedigree, and they trace
their descent from him, for he is believed to have once
lived on earth as a man. It is doubtful what the word
Singalang means, but Burong means " bird," and prob-
ably Singalang Burong means " bird chief." The Dyaks
are great observers of omens, as is noticed in Chapter XII.,
and among their omens the cries and flight of certain birds
are most important. All these birds are supposed to be
manifestations of the spirit sons-in-law of Singalang
Burong, who is himself manifested in the white and brown
hawk which is known by his name.
Singalang Burong is also the god of war, and the
guardian spirit of brave men. He delights in fighting,
and head-taking is his glory. When Dyaks have ob-
tained a human head, they make a great
feast in his
honour and invoke his presence. He is the only god
ever represented by the Dyaks in a material form. It is
a carved, highly-coloured bird of grotesque shape. This
feet or more
figure is erected on the top of a pole thirty
in height, with its beak pointing in the direction of the
enemy's country, so that he may " peck at the eyes of
the enemy."
Next in importance to Singalang Burong is Pulang
Gana. He is the tutelary deity of the soil, and presides
over the rice-farming. He is an important power in Dyak
belief, and to him offerings are made and incantations
are sung at the Gaivai Batu, the " Stone Feast," which
takes place before the farming operations begin, and also