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

HEAD-HUNTING 73
and they are consequently bloodthirsty and revengeful
against their enemies, and willing to undergo fatigue,
hunger, want of sleep, and other privations when on the
war-path. I have often been told by Dyaks that the
reason why the young men are so anxious to bring home
a human head is because the women have so decided a
preference for a man who has been able to give proof of
his bravery by killing one of the enemy.
The desire to appear brave in the eyes of his lady-love
sometimes leads a young man to mean and cowardly
crimes. The following gruesome incident actually took
place many years ago. A young man in the Batang
Lupar started by himself to seek for a head from a
neighbouring tribe. In a few days he came back with
the desired prize. His relatives asked him how it was
he was able to get to the enemy's country and back in
such a short time. He replied gravely that the spirits
of the woods had assisted him. About a month after-
wards a headless trunk was discovered near one of their
farms. It was found to be the body of his victim, an
old woman of his own tribe, not very distantly related
to himself !
In the old days no Dyak Chief of any standing could
be married unless he had been successful in procuring
the head of an enemy. (See also Chapter XXII.) For
this reason it was usual to make an expedition into the
enemy's country before the marriage-feast of any great
Chief could be held. The head brought home need not
be that of a man ;
serve the purpose quite as well.
the head of a woman or a child would
There is a legend related among the Dyaks as a reason
for this custom. Once upon a time a young man loved
a maiden, but she refused to marry him until he had