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

298 THREE DYAK LEGENDS
Burong, " and have the power to make men successful
in all they undertake. At all times if you wish for my
help, you must call upon me and make offerings to me
Especially must this be done before you go to fight against
the enemy, for I am the God of War, and help those who
pay me due respect.
" You have learnt here how to plant paddy. I will
give you some paddy to take away with you,
and when
you get back to your own country, you can teach men
how to cultivate it. You will find rice a much more
strengthening article of food than the yams and potatoes
you used to live upon, and you will become a strong and
hardy race.
" And to help you in your daily work, my sons-in-law
will always tell you whether that you do is right or
wrong. In every work that you undertake you must
pay heed to the voices of the sacred birds—
Katwpong,
Beragai, Bejampong, Papau, Nendak, Kutok, and Emhuas.
These birds, named after my sons-in-law, represent them,
and are the means by which I make known my wishes to
mankind. When you hear them, remember it is myself
speaking through my sons-in-law for encouragement or
for warning. Whatever work you may be engaged in,—
farm-work, house-building, fishing, or hunting —wherever
you may be you must alwaj^s do as these birds direct.
Whenever you have a feast, you must make an offering to
me, and you must call upon my sons-in-law to come and
partake of the feast. If you do not do these things, some
evil is sure to happen to you. I am willing to help you
and to give you prosperity, but I expect due respect to
be paid to me, and will not allow my commands to be
disobeyed."
Then Singalang Burong presented them with many