Chapter XXXII

Before closing these notes, it might be as well to give an idea of the position Sarawak occupies with regard to its external relations.

In 1888 a treaty placing Sarawak under British protection, whilst the internal affairs of the country remained immune from British intervention, was drawn up between the British Government and the Rajah. Some years later I had the honour of being received at Windsor by Queen Victoria, and of being presented to Her Majesty as Ranee of Sarawak. The Queen received me in one of the small apartments at Windsor Castle. At first, I naturally felt nervous, but when the Queen inquired kindly about our Sarawak people my feeling of shyness vanished, and I could think of nothing but the Queen’s gracious words, and notice that beautiful smile of hers that seemed to illuminate every corner of the room. The Rajah was, at the time, absent in Sarawak, and this prevented his being included in Her Majesty’s invitation to Windsor. However, knowing how much the Rajah would appreciate Her Majesty’s interest in Sarawak, which after all was a compliment to himself, I telegraphed the news out to our country, where all concerned were much gratified at such a token of the Queen’s sympathy.

When King Edward came to the throne, the affairs of Sarawak and status of its ruler apparently interested him. His Majesty, aware of the manner Sarawak was governed, and after having made inquiries as to the prosperity and well-being of its inhabitants, decreed that the Rajahs of Sarawak should be given precedence at the English Court immediately after that of the ruling Princes of India. But even then difficulties arose regarding the position of the Rajah’s sons. Our eldest son, although heir-apparent, and our younger sons who are heirs-presumptive, were not allowed to be presented at Court under their Sarawak titles. Our present King, however, a little while ago saw fit to confirm our eldest son’s title of Rajah Muda in England, but his brothers, who have also a certain right in the succession, have not been allowed the same privilege at the English Court. We all know that in hereditary properties the younger sons of the actual possessor are recognized as having a legal interest in the possible succession of their father. When one realizes that we are dealing with an hereditary State, the question at stake becomes a doubly important one.

We have had recent and ample opportunities to judge of the dangers which half-civilized nations run at the hands of exploiting commercialism. That Sarawak should hitherto have escaped such dangers is infinitely to the honour of the Borneo Company Ltd., who have never sought to enrich themselves to the detriment of Sarawak people. Nor must we forget that immunity from companies of a less scrupulous character is due to the vigilance and firmness of the Rajahs of Sarawak, determined as they were that the people who placed themselves under their rule should have the benefit of European contact without any of its often terrible drawbacks. We must therefore hope that the future Rajah and his brothers will consolidate a regime which has so admirably safeguarded the natives under their two first White Rajahs. It is therefore consonant with the wisdom of the present Sovereign that he should have sought to strengthen the position of his successor, whenever a change in the succession occurs, by arranging for the assistance of a Consultative Council who would sit in London, and consisting of his two younger sons, of two highly distinguished officials in the Sarawak service, and, if possible, of an independent Englishman experienced in colonial government and in matters dealing with primitive people and their interests. The Rajah is fully aware that whatever steps he may see fit to take for the future safety of his people, the more publicly such precautions are made known, the better it will be for the success of his schemes. Public opinion is a mighty lever when used to champion any honest or righteous cause, and it is with the help of public opinion that the Rajah may gain the necessary help in order to realize the fulfilment of his dearest wish—​that being to keep Sarawak for the benefit of its own people, and, in so doing, from the devastating grasp of money-grabbing syndicates.

INDEX

Abang Aing, 115-6

Kasim, 162, 163 note

Nipa, 140

wife of, 143

Aline, H.H.S., 179, 188, 197

Alligator bird (Bul-bul), 241, 288

Animal life—

alligator bird, 241, 288

bears, honey, 299

bees, honey, 299

buffaloes, 88-9

bul-bul. See Alligator bird

centipedes, 81

chik-chak. See Lizards

cockroaches, 3

crocodiles, 6, 82-6

dogs, 288

egrets, 118, 120

fire-flies, 130, 207

lizards, 81

mice, 274

monkeys, 6, 17, 87-8

mosquitoes, 71, 74, 76, 80, 82, 117

owl, little, 253

paddy birds. See Egrets

peahen, 167-8

pheasants, Argus, 200

ponies, wild, 64-5

porcupines, 256

rats, 3, 71, 77-9, 80, 117-8

rhinoceros, 256, 261

roebuck (Kijang), 254 and note

sand-flies, 109

scorpions, 81-2

sea-serpent, 209-12

shrimps, 74

snakes, 82

Antimony, 287, 289

Apai Minggat, 39-41

Apai Nipa, 140-1

wife of, 143

Archipelago, Malayan, 97

Argus pheasants, 200

Astana, 8, 10

Awdrey, Mr., 289, 295

Bailey, Mr., 260, 262, 264, 266, 284-5

Bakar, Inchi, 164-5

Bald-Headed Hawk, 224, 231

Bamboo burying cane, 308

Bampfylde, Mr. C. A., xxv, 185, 209, 211, 215-8, 221, 229-31, 238, 240, 243, 245, 253, 262

Banting, 56, 60

Baram River, 15, 136, 139

Batang Lupar River, 15, 54-5, 106, 111, 119, 123, 258, 262

Batu Gading, 139-40

Kudi, 190

Bauhinea, 198 note

Beads, 258

Bears, honey, 299

Bees, swarm of, 298

Beeswax, 255, 298

Belaga, 216, 243

Betel-nut, 32

Bezoar, 255-6

Bintulu River, 15, 136

women, 146

Birds. See under Animal life

Blessing house, 305

Blow-pipe, 53, 255

Blunderbuss, 114

Bodyguard, Rajah’s, 103

Bore, the, 119-20

Borneo, xvii, 16

Borneo Co. Ltd., 8, 137, 139, 287, 289, 312

British Consul appointed to Sarawak, 97

Crown, 97

Government, assistance by, 95;

scant recognition by, 99

public, 96

British North Borneo Co., xvii

Brocades, 29

Brooke, Bertram (Tuan Muda), 156-7, 184, 188-9, 201, 209, 215-6, 223, 238, 265, 309

Charles Johnson, Sir, xi, xxiii, 1, 9-11, 19, 34, 37-8, 41, 43, 49-51, 54, 57-8, 65-8, 70, 78, 84, 88-93, 97-9, 103, 106-7, 113-6, 128-9, 133, 135-7, 140-5, 173, 179, 182, 310, 312-3

Harry (Tuan Bungsu), 184

James, Sir, x-xi, xiii, xvii-xxiii, 95, 97, 101, 170, 215

Vyner (Rajah Muda), 99, 135, 283-6, 311

Brunei, xvii

Sultan of, xviii-xix, 136, 140, 145, 170

Buffaloes, 88-9

Bukitans, 53, 242, 274

Bul-bul (Alligator bird), 241, 288

Busu, 288

Camphor, 243, 255

Canals, 16

Cape Datu, 136

Capital punishment, 103

Casuarina trees, 4, 192

Cataracts, 217, 221, 243, 245

Chambers, Bishop, 56

Characteristics—

cleanliness, 18

dignity, 66

friendliness, 61, 90, 165

garrulity, 282

humour, 282

lending, love of, 21 note

oratory, love of, 113

politeness, 188

reserve, 183

swimming, love of, 18

tact, 234

Chik-chak (lizards), 81

Chinese, 15-6, 43, 62, 65, 103, 164-5, 255

chemist, 256-7

coffin, 257

cook, 51, 301, 303

gardens, 290-1

houses, 288

junks, 63

plays, 164-5

secret societies, 107

superstitions, 177, 180

temples, 63

Cholera, 177-83, 284-6

Churches—

Protestant, 63

Roman Catholic, 63

Clerodendrons, 46

Cobra, the, 224, 231, 239

Cockroaches, 3

“Cocoa de mer,” 174

Consul, English, appointment of, to Sarawak, 97

Council of war, 113

Court of Justice, 66-7

Crespigny, Mr. Claude Champion de, 137, 139-41, 143-5, 147

Crocodiles, 6, 82-6

legend concerning, 292-3

Crookshank, Mrs., 92

Crops, 44-5

Customs—

head-hunting, 34, 38, 46, 55, 68, 102, 155

Milanoe, 138

polygamy, 102

Sir James Brooke’s respect for, xxiii, xxiv

war-yell, 39, 40

wounds, treatment of, 48

Daiang Kho, 183

Kota, 116

Sahada, 29, 156, 162, 165

Dalima, 117-8, 120

Dancing, at Kapit, 224-8, 231-4

Lundu, 203-6

Munggo Babi, 306-7

Dyak, 69

Kayan, 148

Datu Bandar, xx-xxi, 10, 20, 24, 87

Bay, 13

Cape, 136

Hakim, xxi

Imaum, xxi, 20, 161-2

Isa, xxi, 23-5, 27-32, 87, 91-2, 101, 110, 135, 158-9, 162, 165, 170-3, 180-1, 309

Mohammed, xxi, 182-3

Patinggi Ali, xx

Siti, 23

Datu Tumanggong, xxi, 20

Death sentence, 103

Deshon, Mr. Harry, 262, 284-5

Dictionary, Marsden’s, 23, 25

Doctor, English, 72, 83, 91, 178

Dogs, Chinese, 288

Douglas, Mr Bloomfield, 198-9, 201, 206-8

Dragons, legend of, 175

Dress, 23, 26-30, 147, 202, 205, 223, 299

Dyaks, vii, 16, 34, 65, 68, 103, 115, 154

Land, 15, 297, 299, 304

Sea, 15, 39, 46, 48, 53, 113, 138, 218, 220-1, 223, 231

boy wrestlers, 206

chiefs, 9, 198

crew, 57

customs, 273

dances, 204-6, 231-4, 306-7

dogs, 288

feast, 305-6

house, 56, 58, 60, 201, 265-6, 303-4

humour, 282

language, 113

titles, 224

village, 57

war boat, 56, 115, 238

women, 199, 205, 223, 264, 266, 299, 304, 306

Edward, H.M. King, 311

Egrets, 118, 120

Execution, mode of, 104, 106

Exports (Rejang river), 255-6

Face of Day, 224, 245

Feast, Munggo Babi, 305

Fire-flies, 130, 207

Fishing shed, 185

Flags—

Rajah’s, 97

Sarawak, 85

Flowers, native, 17, 43, 46, 166, 199-200, 243-4, 288

Fruits, native, 22, 47-8, 105, 203, 287, 291, 300

Gading, 295

Garlic, 212

Gemuti palm, 302 and note

George, H.M. King, 311-2

God of Sickness, 265

Gould, Baring, xxv

Grass, lalang, 46, 139

Grave, Muhammadan, 163-4, 259, 297

Gutta-percha, 243, 255

Hadji Ahmad, 185, 190-1

Haji Matahim, 209-11

Hajis, 65

Hamadryads, 82

Hands, ceremony of touching, 223

Heartsease, H.H.S., 3, 9, 42-3, 54, 60, 84, 93, 139

Malay crew, 5

Hindoos, 62, 189

Honey bears, 299

Hose, Dr. Charles, xxv, 145-6, 241, 258, 274-5

Hose, Mrs., 263

Hovering Hawk, 220, 239-40, 243

Ima, 73, 75, 110, 117-8, 120, 132-3, 182, 238, 267

Imaum, Datu, 20, 161-2

Inchi Bakar, 164-5

Inchi Sawal, 159-64

Indiarubber, 255

Industries—

basket-making, 237

coal-mining, 88

embroidery, 31-3, 186

farming, 45, 53 note

fishing, 48, 74

furniture-making, 45

weaving, 29, 54, 59

Insects. See under Animal life

Ireland, Mr. Alleyne, xii, xiv

Isle of birds, 259

Jambusan, 290

Jarum, Rajah (founder of Sarawak), xx

Jury, 103

Kalaka river, 15, 54

Kanowit, schools at, 213

Kanowits, 48, 213

Kapit, 214, 216-8, 221, 238

Kayans, 15, 53, 123-8, 136, 139-47, 154, 215, 217, 222, 224

dances, 224, 231-4

Kayans, dancing-man, 148-9

Queen, 145

Keluri, 231

Kemp, Mrs., 92

Kenyars, 53

Keppel, Sir Henry, xxii

Kijang (roebuck), 254 and note

Kirkpatrick, Mr., 260-6

Knotted string, 112

Kong Kong, 152

Koran, the, 161-2, 297

Kris, 103-4

Kromang gong, 203

Kuching, 8, 62-4, 157, 215

Labuan, Island of, 136

Lalang grass, 46, 139

Lang Endang, 261

Langmore, Dr., 185, 188, 201, 215, 238, 253, 256, 295

Lawas River, 136

Legends, 269

Cat story, 272-4

Crocodile story, 292-3

Daughter of the Moon, 193-6

Daughter of the Sun, 276-9

Dragons and cocoa-nuts, 175

Flood, 247-50

Gift of Petara, 279-81

Half-Petrified Girl, 269-72

Pig Lady, 250-3

Pontianak Ghost, 170-1

Ungrateful Son, 275-6

Lilies—

Crinum Northianum, 295

Paddy lily, 281

Limbang river, 136

Lingga, 55, 60, 111, 129

mountain, 276

Lintong, 35-8

Lizards (chik-chak), 81

Lobok Antu Fort, 129

Lotus flowers, 291

Low, Mr., 36, 50, 54

Lucille, steam launch, 212

Lundu, 197-8

dances, 203-6

River, 15

MacDougall, Bishop, 100

Madu, 202

Magistrates, 185, 287

Malaria, 4, 71-5, 78, 101

Malayan Archipelago, 97

Malays, vii-ix, 15, 65, 103

chiefs, 66, 90

houses, 289, 295

language, 158-62

women, 11, 20, 26-7, 31, 92, 101, 125, 157, 289

Mangroves, 6, 14, 130, 139, 188

Marsden’s Dictionary, 23, 25

Matang, mountain of, 11-2, 151, 154, 166

Matu river, 15

Maxwell, Sir Benson, 2, 260

Mr. Frank, 109, 111, 113-6, 129, 260-2, 295

MᶜDougall. See Hose, Dr. Charles

Mecca, 5, 27

Mice, 274

Milanoes, 15, 137-8, (Bintulu) 147

Military service, exemption from, 112

“Mingo.” See Rosario, F. Domingo de

Missions, Protestant, 56, 215

Roman Catholic, 213

schools, 163, 213

Monkeys, 6, (wah-wahs) 17, 87-8, 255

Monsoon, South-west, 13

North-east, 84

Mosquitoes, 71, 74, 76, 80, 82, 117

Mountain of the Moon, 256

Mountains. See under respective titles, viz., Lingga, Matang, Mountain of the Moon, Poe, Santubong, Sebigi, Singghi

Muda Hassim, Rajah, 170

Muhammadans, 15, 90

graves of, 163, 164, 259, 297

Muka, fort, 137-8

Muka river, 15

Munggo Babi, 295, 299

bachelor house, 301

chief of, 305

dances at, 306

granaries at, 300

head-house, 301-3

Ngmah, 49, 216

Nipa palms, 6, 14, 139, 188, 197

North, Miss Marianne, 150-5

Octopuses, 187

Officers, Rajah’s English, 108

Opium, 257

Orang Kaya Stia, Rajah, 198

Ord, Sir Harry, 2

Owl, little, 253

Oya river, 15

Pa Baniak, 291-4

Paddy, 279, 281

Paddy birds (Egrets), 118, 120

Paku, 287-8

Palmerston, Lord, 97

“Pamale,” 140

Panau, 282-3

Pangiran Matali, 115-6

Pau Jinggeh, 175

Peahen, 167-8

Pelagus Rapid, 221, 243

Peniamuns, 122

Penus, 234-7

Pepper vines, 200, 287

Pheasants, Argus, 200

Piano, effect of, on natives, 69

Pigafetta, xvii

Pitcher plants, 151-3

Pleiades, 281

Poe Mountain, 197

Police, 107-8

Pontianak ghost, 170-1

Porcupines, 256

Punans, 53, 214

Quicksilver, 287, 289

Rainbow, superstition concerning, 172

Rajah Brooke, S.S., 309

Rajah Muda (Vyner). See under Brooke, Vyner

Rajah’s Council, 67, 91, 185

Rajahs, The White, 95-100, 312

Rapids, shooting, 244-5

Rats, 3, 71, 77-9, 80, 117-8

Rattans, 54, 214, 243

Rawieng, 217, 229-31

Reciters, 157-8

Rejang, river, 15, 35, 37, 42, 44, 51-4, 136, 184, 192, 209, 216-7, 243

Rengas, 45

Rentap, 55

Rhinoceros, 256, 261

Rice, 92

River plants, 296

Rivers. See under respective titles, viz., Baram, Batang Lupar, Bintulu, Kalaka, Lawas, Limbang, Lundu, Matu, Muka, Oya, Rejang, Sadong, Samaraham, Sarawak, Saribas

Roads, scarcity of, 16, 65

Rosario, F. Domingo de, 215-6, 224-5, 228-9, 231, 236

Russell, Lord John, 97

Sadong river, 15, 133, 136, 295

Safflower, 276-8

Saffron, 92

Sago, 15, 137;

factory, 137;

palms, 44, 152

Salaries, official, 108

Salleh, 218-9, 221, 234, 238, 244-7, 253-4

Samaraham river, 133

Sand-flies, 109

Santubong, mountain, 4, 42, 167, 197;

legend of, 193-6;

stone figure, 188;

village, 185

Sapphires, 241

Sarawak—

apathy concerning, 108

British protection extended to, 310

extent of, 136

flag of, 85

founder of, xx

heat of, 110

police, 107

Rangers, 105, 112

recognition of, by England, 97

situation of, 1, 13

tribes, 16

Sarawak, bay of, 15

Sarawak river, 8, 15, 109-10, 133

Saribas river, 15, 54

Schools, institution of, 163-4

Scorpions, 81-2

Screw pines, 296

Sea-serpent, 209-12

Seaweed bangle, 173

Sebigi, mountain, 290

Sensitive plant, 152

Sentries, 103, 168

Seripa Madjena, 30-2, 65

Serips, 30;

Bagus, 129-130;

Hussim, 31

Sherip Masahor, 47

Sibu, 35-8, 42-5, 49-51, 54, 209, 255

Sibuyow, 129

Sigobang, 287

Sikhs, 36, 43, 50

Simanggang, 114-5, 119, 126-7, 132, 261

Singapore, 2-3, 6, 13, 88

Singghi, mountain, 293

Sirih, 31-2

Sirik, 14

Skelton, Mr. Harry, 35-7, 40-1, 43-4, 49-52, 54, 261

Snakes, 82

Societies, Chinese secret, 107

Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, 56

Song, 213

Spring, hot, 291

Subu (Umbrella Bearer and State Executioner), 10, 66, 85, 101-4

Sugar-cane, 117, 287

Sunok, 116-7, 124, 125

Superstitions—

animals, 190, 274-5, 294

babies, 172

bamboos, 308

Bintulu, 147

black seaweed, 173

children, 172

Chinese, 177-80

cholera, cure of, 183

cocoa-nuts, 174-5

comparison with European, 175-6

garlic, 211-2

medicine, 58

milk, 24 note

paddy, 281

“pamale,” 140

Peniamuns, 122

rain, 294

rainbows, 172

red hair, 202

thunderstorms, 174

women, 172

Supreme Council, xxiv

Sword chair, 178

Syces, 64-5

Talip, 19-24, 40, 86, 101, 182-3

Tama Paran, 123, 127

Tana Mera, 297

Tanjong Datu, 13

Sirik, 13

Tanjongs, 214-8, 220, 237;

dance, 226-8;

girls, 224-5;

women, 223

Taxes, 112

Thunderstorms, 174

Titles, Sea Dyak, 224

Tombs, Kayan, 217

Torrent of Blood, 224, 231

Trial, murder, 103

Trusan river, 136

Tuan Bungsu. See under Brooke, Harry

Muda. See under Brooke, Bertram

Tuba root, 48

Tubam, 218-9, 221-2

Tunku Ismael, 116, 120-4, 126

Umbrella, State, 10, 66;

Chinese, 294

Ukits, 53;

woman, 234-6, 274

Victoria, H.M. Queen, 97-9, 310-1

Wah-wahs, 17, 87-8

War-boats, 56, 115, 122

yells, 39-40, 128

Water, abundance of, 16-8

Windt, Mr. Harry de, 93

Women, Dyak, 190, 205, 223, 264, 266, 299, 304, 306

education of, 162, 165

Malay, 11, 20, 26-7, 31, 92, 101, 125, 157, 289

Tanjong, 223

Wormia (river plants), 296

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