NIAS, largest of the chain of islands off the western coast of Sumatra, D.E. Indies. It is 8o m. long and nearly 3o wide, hilly, with coasts rocky or sandy, and landing is often dangerous : it is partly volcanic and earthquakes occur. There are three small rivers. Pop. 159,799. The islets Nako, Bunga, etc., near the north and west coasts are inhabited by a race which appears to be Indonesian in character and to have some affinity with the Bataks of Sumatra. Though intelligent, they have a reputation for treachery and thieving. They squander their means on feasting and ornaments, but are hospitable and have a high code of sexual morality, any infringement of which is severely punished. Mar riage is exogamic and wives are bought. At death, wife and prop erty pass to a man's brother. Land belongs to the settler and is inherited in the direct line. A council of notables assists hereditary chiefs in administration. Slave trade has been suppressed by the Dutch. Simple tattooing, teeth-filling and circumcision are prac tised. Weapons are carried and vendettas are common. Houses are built on piles, and sometimes are fortified with double walls. They have windows, a common room in the centre, and
separate rooms for the various families which occupy one house, the entrance being through the floor, from underneath, in the house centre. Houses of chiefs are costly and have carved statues, or seats of wood, or stone, outside. The Niasese are pagans : human sacrifice on the death of a chief, also head-hunting, have been prohibited by the Dutch. Statues of the household gods are hung up in the houses, the phallic symbol is known, and in South Nias menhirs and large dissoliths exist. The funeral rites of an im portant person are celebrated by the sacrifice of pigs. There are good craftsmen in gold, silver, and wood, the coconut is cul tivated and the oil traded with Malay and Achinese settlers, or taken to the Sumatran coast. Pigs are kept and form an important article of trade. Coal, of poor quality, iron, and copper have been found; gold is said to exist. Nias is administrated by the resi dency of Tapanuli, in Sumatra, with an assistant resident at Gunung Situli, the chief town. It has no telegraphic or steamer communication with the mainland.