- Author:
- Greenwood, James
- Publication Info:
-
London ; New York ; Melbourne:
Ward Lock and Co,
1899,
pg 117
Text on page 117
ADVENTURES OF REUBEN DAVIDGEU
117
doubtless, the reader, ignorant of the true state of the case, must begin to suspect me to be a person with a morbid inclination to linger about horrible mattersaand for the sake of the character of my masters, the Dyaks. Really, there is nothing villanous in this one of their most singular customs, repulsive as it must appear to a Christian people. Head-getting is with them a very ancient and respectable institution, and its observance as honourably regarded as the capture
The DyaJc Head. Dance*
of ordinary war trophies among ourselves. Nay, it has this advantage, that it has a religious as well as a social consequence. The Bornean implicitly believes that the head is the seat of man's spirit, and that, even after death, this fleshy tenancy is maintained until the habitation decays and perishes. Great, however, as is this barbarian's respect for " spirits," he has much more for his own cunning, and, in time of war, he sets this latter ruling quality of his against ghostly power, and seeks through it to make his advantage. For example, when aof ordinary war trophies among ourselves. Nay, it has this advantage, that it has a religious as well as a social consequence. The Bornean implicitly believes that the head is the seat of man's spirit, and that, even after death, this fleshy tenancy is maintained until the habitation decays and perishes. Great, however, as is this barbarian's respect for " spirits," he has much more for his own cunning, and, in time of war, he sets this latter ruling quality of his against ghostly power, and seeks through it to make his advantage. For example, when a
