In Pulo Nias, the war jacket and cap is of thick leather, covered with the black horsehair like eju of the Arenga saccharifera palm. They have a spear and short sword. The Orang Laut have the limbing or lance, the tampuling, a large hook, the kujore, broad-headed fishing spear, and the Serampong prong.
The Sumatran races have also the rudus and pemandap swords and auvar dagger ; the Batta race wear the kalassan and jono swords, also the tombak Leda and terjing, the last a long curved knife, which is used to cut up human flesh, according to Mr. Anderson, and guns, matchlocks, the kris, and ranjow.
Games.—Surnatrans and Burmese have the sepa raga, or cane football game. It does not require strength or courage, but is an exhibition of skill, dexterity, and activity. The ball is hollow and elastic, about 4 in. in diameter. Tho players are unlimited in number, and stand in a circle about 6 feet apart from each other. The ball is thrown into the air, and as it descends, one of the players strikes it up again with hand or foot, shoulder, elbow, or knee, arm, forearm, thigh, or leg. Some times the ball descends beyond the circle, and is dexterously struck back again with the sole of the foot, without the player altering his position. Expert players will keep the ball from touching the ground for a considerable time.
The Malays are exceedingly fond of music, but the drum seems to be their sole native instrument, though they have the violin. They have a drama called Myong, in which young lads take the part of women. It is supposed to be of Siamese origin, as none but natives of Siam engage in it. Music from drums and brass instruments accom pany the performance. The actors move about to the sound of the instruments.
Dress.—Malays set the fashion of dress to the islanders, and the principal portions of the apparel are worn by the Malaya, the Bugis, the Javanese, and most of the smaller races all over the Archi pelago. The sarong is worn by both sexes ; it is a cloth two yards long and four feet broad, and is wrapped round the lower part of the body from the waist, like an unsewed gown. It is often the sole dress worn in the house and courtyard.
The saluar or sluar is a pair of drawers or trousers, invariably worn when abroad ; there aro several kinds, the Achinese, the Chinese, the Singapore sluar, and that of the Bugis, the last reaching the middle of the thigh.
The baju or jacket. Its arms have several shapes, and have respective names, Baju sikat, Baju chars, and Baju pesa sabla or Baju tutop iman. The Baja tangan-kachang is a long gown reaching to the ankles, worn by old women ; Baju bastrob is a vest or shirt ; Baja ayit karang resembles a shift.
The saluar, sarong, and baju are the essential parts of their dress.
The bang-kong, or waist-cloth, or sash, is often worn. It is of cotton or silk.
The dustar or justar, a kerchief, is worn as a turband. The turband and flowing dress of the Arab are worn by all who have performed the Mecca pilgrimage.
The kris is never allowed to be visible in the presence of a superior or equal.—Bibnore's Tray.; Crawfiird's Grammar; bourn. Indian Archie.; Latham's Ethnology ; Logan; Le Moni tear, 1847; M'Nair, p. `233; Newbold ; Peschel; Wallace ; St. John's Ind. Archipelago ; Marryat's Ind. Archipelago ; Earl's Ind. Archipelago ; Quar terly Review, No. 222 ; A. II. Keane's Asia.