Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

SAKAI OF FERAK 529
Still to be found, such as the Sakai of Blanja and
those at Pulau Tiga ("Three Islands") in Batang
Padang, both of which have maintained their independence
though completely surrounded by Malays.
The Sakai are very shy, but are truthful and honest.
Those of Batang Padang have lately taken to going
by the railway down to Telok Anson to sell rattans,
dammar, and other jungle products at better prices
than they could get from the up-country Malays.
They are now beginning to show a fondness for dress,
and it is no uncommon sight to see a party of Sakai
women coming into the towns very much smarter
and better dressed than the average of Malay
women.
Mr. Wray tells me that he has known several in-
stances of Sakai living in Malay Kampongs in Larut
and Kuala Kangsar, not as slaves but as independent
land- and house-holders.
Before the emancipation of the slaves in 1882-83,
there were many Sakai women in the houses of
the Malays, and quite a considerable number remained
after that date. The children appear to be treated
just the same as the wholly Malayan members of the
family.
Mr. Wray adds, that the Sakai of Perak, who are
in touch with the Malays, employ the Malay numerals
up to quite high figures, and are sharp in money
transactions. In the eighties he saw an excellent
instance of this at Batu Pipis in Kinta. In paying
for some things he gave some coppers to a Sakai, who
picked out a Sarawak cent and gave it back, asking
for a Straits cent in exchange.
The following passage by I\I. Maclay gives an
accurate picture of the hostile relations still subsisting
VOL. r 2 M