to this spot and the spirits of the dead are besought as follows: "Do
not take our rice, but let it last for a long time, for now we give a
part to you." A meal and dance follow the offering and then all who
desire may aid in cutting the new rice.

No offerings are associated with the planting or harvesting of other
field crops, but the gathering of sago flour is attended by gifts to the
spirits of the dead and prayers for the health of the workers. The
method of obtaining and preparing the flour is the same as that already
described. Offerings are made before and after a hunt, and a man never
goes to fish without first placing a leg ring and some betel nut on the
sand close to the water, meanwhile saying, "You TimanEm must give us
some food; and you shall have your part." Upon his return he places a
small fish beside the first offering and is then free to take his catch
to the village.

In addition to the pursuits already outlined, we find that some of the
men are expert workers in iron (Fig. 45), copper, and brass, while the
women are weavers. Their weaving does not differ from that previously
described, but a peculiar type of decoration has been developed by this
tribe, and from them has spread somewhat to their neighbors. Waxed
threads are used to work designs into cloth so that when the fabric is
placed in dye the liquid will not reach the portions thus covered.
Later, when the threads are removed, white patterns appear on the red
background (See Plate LXIII).

FIG. 45. MAN'S KNIFE AND SHEATH.

Slaves are kept, but their duties are so similar to those of the
freeborn that it is impossible for the casual observer to pick out the