Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

NEGRITOS OF KEDAH 173
in one place.' Rock-shelters are also commonly used
by them.-
Pangan.—At Ban Tun, in the province of Pata-
lung on the north-western shore of the Inland
Sea (Singora), I visited one of these small rock-
shelters which had been inhabited, up to the night of
our arrival, by nine Pangans, who had only deserted
it on hearing our approach. It was formed by a large
overhanging rock under the brow of a very steep and
lofty hill. Its size was very small, measuring only
from about 9 to 12 feet (2.7 m. to 3.6 m.) in length by
6 to 8 feet (i.S m. to 2.4 m.) in width, and from about
4 to 5 feet (1.2 m. to 1.5 m.) in height. Its position
on a shoulder of the hill was very well chosen, as
the ground fell away precipitously in front of it, and
the only way to reach it was to go round by the back
of the overhanging rock itself. The mouth of the
cave was, moreover, further concealed and protected
by a thicket of thorny bamboo, which grew at the
more precipitous end. Altogether it was as difficult
a spot to find without a guide as any which could have
been selected. The sole article of furniture was one
of the rough bamboo sleeping-stages, or "barbicans,"
which are to be seen in most Semang encampments,''
and which are made by lashing half a dozen thick
bamboo poles together. This particular bed, however,
could not have accommodated more than one or two
' Among the K. Semang (I'angan) Semang arc less particular llian the
it is an estahlisheil custom to break up I'angan (\'aughan-Stevens, iii. 103).
the existing encampment on the fifth - See a valuable note on this subject
day at the latest. This custom is called by Mr. L. Wray (Cciif-JwdUrs, j).
"Jog," and is attributed to the com- 37).
mands of Pie : indeed, the days arc •• These most i>eculiar platforms or
counted on the fingers, and it is believed "bedsteads'" are found also in the
that if this custom be seriously in- Andamans, and (according to my friend
fringed, a severe form of plague will Mr. Lorimer Fison) in Fiji I I should
attack the guilty parties. The W. be glad to know of other examples.