Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. VII SAVAGE MALAYS OF SELANGOR 361
the split end forcibly down until the section opened
out and took shape not unlike that of a small round
cage. This cage -like formation was then bound
round with rattan to preserve its shape, and a portion
of two or three of the bars of the cage excised,
sufficient length being, however, left in the bars of
the upper section to form a sort of claws. The fruit-
gatherer, after strapping a basket on to her back,
then set to work, and passing the claws round the
stalk of the first mangostin, gave a slight pull so as to
detach the fruit, which, instead of falling to the ground
and becoming bruised, simply dropped into the cage
below the claws.
I may add that the Besisi also occasionally, like
the Malays, make use of magic to cause their fruit-
trees to bear better.
Agriculture.
The Besisi cultivated the usual catch-crops (maize,
tapioca, yams, and sweet potatoes, etc.) as well as
rice, though the harvests that they obtained were
seldom very much to boast of Their settlement at
Ayer Itam stood in very low-lying ground which remained
more or less swampy throughout the year, so
that there was no trouble about water- courses and
embankments, a fact which they evidently appreciated,
this being the great stumbling-block in the way ol
regular rice-cultivation, even among the local Malays.
The following lines of a song sung at a Besisi rice-
feast describe the various processes of rice-culture as
practised by their tribe :
—
SONC; OK THK KiCE-rLANTKRS.
Go ye out to fell your clearings.
Burn yc llien your sun-dried tinilier,