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

DYAK RELIGION 199
safe to mankind a revelation of themselves. The form
they assume in these manifestations is not anything very
supernatural, but either a commonplace human form, or
else some animal— a bird, or a monkey —such as is often
seen in the forests. There is, however, the chief of evil
spirits, Girgasi by name, who, when seen, takes the form
of a giant about three times the size of a man,
is covered
with rough shaggy hair, and has eyes as big as saucers,
and huge glittering teeth.
There are innumerable stories told by the Dyaks of
their meeting with spirits in the jungle, and sometimes
speaking to them. Such stories generally relate how the
man who sees the spirit rushes to catch him by the leg —
he cannot reach higher — in order to get some charms from
him, but he is generally foiled in his attempt, as the spirit
suddenly vanishes. But some men, it is believed, do
obtain these much coveted gifts.
If a Dyak gets a good
harvest of paddy, it is attributed to some magic charm he
has received from some kindly spirit. Also, if he be successful
on the warpath, he is credited by his fellows with
the succour of some mysterious being from the spirit-
world.
The spirits rove about the jungle and hunt for wild
beasts, as the Dyaks do themselves. Girgasi, already
mentioned, is specially addicted to the chase, and is often
to be met with hunting in the forest, and when seen
assumes a formidable appearance. There are certain
animals which roam about in packs in the jungle, and are
called by the Dyaks pasan. These are supposed to be
the dogs that accompany the spirits when they are out
hunting, and they attack those whom the spirits wish to
kill. I have never seen one of these animals, but to judge
seem to be a kind of
from the description of them, they