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crowded around me and watched every line—and especially
the colouring—with great interest. I was surprised
at the small number of women who came to see us in
comparison with those who flocked into the house when
we were last here. I found, however, that this was owing
to their being away engaged in rice planting and other
field labour. The headman of this village, named “ Le-
moung,” had died since my last visit, and we saw his
grave on the little hill just as we entered the village. A
little hut had been erected over it, and this was decorated
with eight little streamers of white cloth. His son,
“ JBoloung,” now “ reigns in his stead.” When we took
our evening meal most of the women had returned from
work, and the house was crowded, and the greatest
curiosity was evinced as our plates, knives, forks, and
glasses were spread out glitteringly in the lamplight.
These people are very different from the Malays of the
coast, and never tired of laughing and talking about
ourselves and our goods. The women are not in the
least secluded, and are far better proportioned, as well as
more amiable and industrious, than are their Malayan
sisters. Their clothes consist of a “ sarong,” or short
petticoat, fastened around the waist, and reaching to the
knees, and a strip of black cloth is bound over the breast.
Their ornaments consist of brass wristlets and anklets.
Necklets of beads or brass wire are also worn, and over
the breasts, as also around the waist, coils of rattan cane
dyed black or red are worn. Ferrule-like pieces of tin
are often strung on these rattan coils, and strings of
heads are also worn around the waist. Ear ornaments
are generally of wood, and as large as a wine-cork. Both
men and women have holes pierced in their ears, but
these are not unfrequently utilised as cigarette-holders
much in the same way as the Zulu Kaffirs at the Cape