In The Evening It
Was Crowded With Young Men And Boys, Who Came To Look At Me.
They
were mostly fine young fellows, and I could not help admiring the
simplicity and elegance of their costume.
Their only dress is
the long "chawat," or waist-cloth, which hangs down before and
behind. It is generally of blue cotton, ending in three broad
bands of red, blue, and white. Those who can afford it wear a
handkerchief on the head, which is either red, with a narrow
border of gold lace, or of three colours, like the "chawat." The
large flat moon-shaped brass earrings, the heavy necklace of
white or black beads, rows of brass rings on the arms and legs,
and armlets of white shell, all serve to relieve and set off the
pure reddish brown skin and jet-black hair. Add to this the
little pouch containing materials for betel-chewing, and a long
slender knife, both invariably worn at the side, and you have the
everyday dress of the young Dyak gentleman.
The "Orang Kaya," or rich man, as the chief of the tribe is
called, now came in with several of the older men; and the
"bitchara" or talk commenced, about getting a boat and men to
take me on the next morning. As I could not understand a word of
their language, which is very different from Malay, I took no
part in the proceedings, but was represented by my boy Bujon, who
translated to me most of what was said.
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