The Banaeses assemble in the Streets, and publick Places, where they feast Feasting in Banda. themselves. It is frequent among them to eat in the Temples and Woods, an hundred in a Parcel; especially when they consult together about the publick Weal, or any Danger. There are seven Cities in the Island, which are Enemies to one another. Nera is averse to the Lambethans, Combers and Veierans, and maintains Friendship with the Inhabitants of Lontoor, which is on the other Side of the Island, and those of two other little Cities call’d Poleruija and Poelvay. When they are to fight, they always repair Enmity among their Cities. first to Nera, to concert Affairs. Banda provides their Entertainments on the Ground, in the Streets. The Dishes are made of the Trunks and Leaves of Bananas, and other Plants. Every one has a Piece of Sagu brought him on them, and a Plate of Rice boil’d in the Broth of Flesh. This they devour, carrying it to their Mouths with both Hands, and eat it with such a Relish, as if they had Jove’s Brains dress’d set before them; so the Dutch Relation of Paludanus and Hugo expresses it. Whilst the Meat lasts, till the Multitude are satisfy’d, the Nobles by two and two, take up their Cymiters and Shields, and fight to the sound of Bells, and the Clattering of their Basons. When weary of this Exercise, they deliver the Weapons to others, which continue it. The Cause of their Wars, is for that the Inhabitants of Labetaca, many Years since, set some Plants in the Territory of Nera. The People of this City affronted at this Presumption, made the first War upon them; which is as bloodily prosecuted as if their Religion, or Honour, depended on it. They attack one another by Day and Night in their Territories, and by Sea in their Carcoas.
Banda Tar. In these they do not, like us, fill up the Seams of the Boards with Pitch and Tar, but with Shells of Indian Nuts, which they call Clappos. They pound those Shells and Rhinds, till they became like a Bitumen, or Mass, wherein there remain certain Threads, which resemble Hemp, with this they knit their Seams, and fill up the Crannyes and cover them in such Sort that it resists the Force of the Water. They carry two, and sometimes four Pieces of Cannon. The Men use small Fire-locks, Bucklers, and Their Weapons. large Cymiters, which they call Padang, and Lances of a more solid Wood than our Box. They exercise all these Weapons from their Child-hood, as they do in casting a sort of Hooks with sharp Points and Edges, which they dart at the Enemies Bodies, and then draw back the Lines they are made fast to. Their Heads they arm with Helmets; and on their Crests wear Birds of Paradise, both for Ornament, and a superstitious Defence. They have Breast and Back Pieces, and call’d them as we did Corselets. When they are to fight at Sea, as soon as the War-like Instruments begin to sound, the Soldiers fall a leaping, and skipping on the Benches, which run round the Oars like Shovels. Carcoas from Stem to Stern. The Slaves ply the Oars, which are like wooden Shovels, make the Vessel fly by main Force, and serve to lade out the Water, when there is Occasion. They are so revengeful, that having Cruelty of Bandeses. been in those Days vanquish’d on Land by the Labetans, many of them being kill’d and wounded, those of Nera assembled the next Day in five Carcoas, and attacking the little Island Bayjer, the Natives whereof had assisted the Labetans they slew all they found, without sparing any but a few Women, whom they carry’d Captives to Nera, with the Heads of their Enemies before them on Spears; and for four Days, to the Amazement of Foreigners, and particularly the Dutch, they show’d their Cymiters embrew’d in Gore, about the Streets. Nay, a Soldier among them, in the Sight of Abundance, took a Fancy to try his Cymiter, he carry’d naked, and with it clove down one of the Captive Women, from the Shoulder to the Breast.
Burial of Enemies. They shew’d themselves Merciful in burying those Heads, assembling together in the House of the Shabander, that is the Governor, in the Presence of all the People, which uses to meet to see such Spectacles, every Heads.Soldier, as a Testimony of his Valour, laid all the Heads he had cut off on Their Funerals. a very large Stone, under a Tree: They wrapp’d them up in Cotton Cloths, and carrying them in Dishes bury’d them in a Grove, with much Smoke of Frankincense, whereof they have great Plenty. Had those dead Persons been Natives, their Kindred and Friends would have come immediately to lament with loud Cries, as they use to do, over their Graves, which they dig like us, wrap up the Bodies in Shrouds of white Cotton, and carry them to be bury’d on their Shoulders. They are great Observers, that the Funerals of Men should go before those of Women; place Lamps over the Graves of all, and by their Light pray for them. They cry out furiously, calling the Dead, as if they hop’d they should come to Life at their Call; and perceiving they do not rise again, the Kindred and Friends meet about the most splendid Entertainment they are able to provide. Being ask’d by the Dutch, what it was they ask’d of God in the Prayers they mutter’d over the Graves, they answer’d. We pray that the Dead may not rise again. So that the Want of the true Light of Faith, does not hinder them from seeing, how much Mankind suffers from the first Moment of his Life, till the last; but it is rather to be concluded, that they look upon it as a Misfortune to have been born. They were much amaz’d to hear, that the Dutch did not use the same Ceremony towards their dead.
They play at Foot-Ball, which is made of Spanish Reeds. They that Foot-Ball. Play make a Ring one standing in the Center, who tosses the Ball to those about him, and they with a Kick throw it so high that it is almost out of Sight. If any one misses it, they hiss, and hoot, to shame him for his Unskilfulness. Men live in this Island longer than in any other Parts of Life long in Banda. the World. The Dutch saw several, who exceed 130 Years of Age. They live upon the Product of their Country; and tho’ there is continual War, yet the greater Number lives Idle; and it is very remarkable that those People, who are so much addicted to Sloath, should be such Enemies to Quietness. A useless Life does not deserve much Age; and that which is dedicated to Idleness seldom attains to it. The Women Plow and Till Women Till the Land. the Land, and follow other manly Professions. They seldom go abroad with Men; they have all the Charge of Houshold Affairs, and their greatest Employment within Doors, is usually uncasing and drying of Nutmegs.
The Dutch having loaded with Spice, Purcelane, and some Rubies, and Dutch depart from Banda. settled Factories, and Amity, sail’d from Banda, on the 14th of July, with great firing of Cannon. They stood towards the Island Noeselau, the Natives whereof are Anthropophagi, so the Greeks call Man-Eaters. They proceeded towards that of Amboyna, whose Western Point they discover’d, yet did not touch at it then, but went on to the greater Java, notwithstanding Come to Java. their Admiral was at Amboyna. They arriv’d at Java and the City Tuban, sent two Boats thither to Discover, and know whither they might be allow’d to take in Provisions. Those who return’d with the Answer, brought along with them a Portuguese, who, at the Perswasion of the Natives, had renounc’d Portuguese Renegado. the Faith of Jesus Christ, as was known, and call’d among them by the name of the Renegado, as a proper Appellative, and not dishonourable. This Man inform’d the Admiral, That if he would stay there three or four Months, he might enrich his Ships to his Hearts Content. They sent by him to ask the King’s Leave, with some Presents of Copper, Glass and Silk. Presents to and from the King. The next day Merchants came down to the Harbour, with Abundance of Commodities; and from the King, in Return for their insignificant Present, they brought the Dutch 19 great Sacks of Rice. The Trade being settled, they went up to the City, where they saw several Horsemen, well Arm’d, Horses well Accouter’d, on which they value themselves very much, Shops well stor’d, and a free Trade for all Nations. The Vice-Admiral went to kiss the King’s Hand, who receiv’d him Graciously; promis’d to go Aboard the Ships in Person, and perform’d it, having first order’d them to be show’d all his Royal Apartments, even to his Womens private Lodgings; his Elephants; an infinite number of Birds in Cages, and his Stables full of excellent Horses, and many of them. Then the Prince came Aboare the Ships, and after him the King. The Cannon saluted them both, and they admir’d, and were pleas’d with the Noise.
Tuban Capital of Java. Tuban is the King of Java’s Court, the strongest of all the Cities in that Island, encompass’d with a high Wall, divided by several Gates with Towers on them, contains stately Structures, and Squares appointed for the publick Resort of Traders, the King is extraordinary rich, and in a few Hours can gather a great Number of Horse and Foot. His Palace is truly Royal, his Family consists of the Prime Nobility, and he is very powerful at Sea. They call their Ships Juncks; which being loaded with Pepper, and other Product of the Country, as Silks and Cloths, the Manufactures Trade of that City. of his People, are sent to Balim; where bartering them for Cloaths, they transport those to other Kingdoms, as those of Banda, the Moluccos, and Philippines. Whence, and from other Islands, having improv’d their Commodities, they bring Mastick, Nutmegs, Cloves, and other Spice. All the Habit. Country abounds in Cattle, which graze all Day in the Woods, and are hous’d at Night. Their Habit is the same as at Banda, and covers their Bodies from the Waste downwards, the rest upwards remaining naked. They all wear Daggers, call’d Crises, and the Nobles stately long Vests, the Fullness whereof waves in the Air magnificently. None of them goes abroad attended by less than ten or twelve Servants, one of which always carries for his Master a little Basket full of the Leaves of a certain Plant they call Betele, which they chew with green Nuts, and a little Lime. This Composition they call Ledon; in chewing, it yields a Juice, which they swallow, and then spit out the green Substance, after the Virtue has been extracted in their Mouths.
They were so overjoy’d at the coming of the Dutch, that the next Day The Kings Dress. they invited them to see their Diversions. The King was present a Horse-Back, clad in several Sorts of rich Silks, but all Girt about him. To his Belt hung a Cymiter, in a Scabard adorn’d with precious Stones; the Hilt of beaten Gold, with a Devils Head form’d on it. On his Turbant he had abundance of Feathers. All the Nobility follow’d him, Dress’d much after the same manner, mounted on stately prancing Horses, but smaller than ours, with rich Furnitures of Spanish Leather, studded, and plated with Gold, and Figures of Serpents; and in some of the Bridles they had Stones, so white that they look’d like Alabaster. Sometimes they ran streight forwards, and sometimes in a Ring, casting their Darts. When the Sport was over, they attended the King, by whose Orders they carry’d aboard the Ships, Commerce settled between the Dutch and Javaneses. and to the Dutch Men’s Lodgings, a great quantity of Rice, Sheep, Goats, Hens, Eggs, Fish, and Fruit, as Coco-Nuts, Mangos, Lemons, and delicious Bananas. Then they fell to treating of Trade, and Amity, and thought every Thing cheap except the Pepper, for they not liking the Commodities the Dutch offer’d in Exchange for it, lifting up their Hands cry’d, Lima, which, in their Tongue, signifies five Pieces of Eight. So much they demanded for a Measure of theirs. They were well receiv’d in all Respects, except in Relation to admitting of their Sect.
They had deliver’d Letters to the King from Count Maurice, which he answer’d in the Persian Tongue, and the Dutch having receiv’d them, left Tuban, on the 24th of the same Month, with fair Weather, and well furnish’d with valuable Commodities and Provisions. Passing by the Island Madura Island. Sidago, they anchor’d between Java and Madura; sounded the Depth, and notwithstanding the Current, and that the Ground was a stiff Muddy Hill, they visited Madura, landing on the East-side; but remov’d presently to the City Arosbay, on the West, and afterwards thence to Jorta, to get Guides, or Pilots to conduct them to the rest of the Moluccos. They sent to Compliment the King of Madura, who presently after the Audience, sent the Vice-Admiral a Sheep, with which went the Renegado, who had brought him a Dagger, they call Criz, from the King of Tuban, richly adorn’d with Gold and precious Stones, and the King’s Head engrav’d on the Pommel. They found a German settled in the Country, rich in Spice, and understood Madura Described. by him, that at Arosbay they had seiz’d 40 of their Companions. The Island of Madura, next to Java, inclines to the Northward. They wear the same Habit as in the other; but are sharper Witted. It is most fruitful in Rice, but both in Reaping and Plowing, the Peasants and Buffalos are mir’d up to the Knees, the continual Inundations keeping the Ground so wet. Few Ships come to it, by reason of its inaccessible Shoales. They have the same common use of Weapons, Elephants, Horses, Spears, Campilanes, or Cymiters, and Shields. The Crizes, or Daggers, worn by the King’s Guards are Arosbay City. of Silver. The City Arosbay is Populous, and well Wall’d. The Hollanders main Design in coming to it, was, as has been said, to take in Pilots, and other Necessaries to proceed to the Molucco Islands; to which Purpose, and to avoid the Shoals lying betwixt Java and Madura, they divided their Ships. The Vice-Admiral, with the Guelder and Zealand, pass’d the Chanels of Madura, in order to joyn, at Jorta, the Junks that sail for Ternate, and thence to the other Molucco Islands.
The Admiral Sticht Utrecht, running along the length of Madura, came to an Anchor before Arosbay. He sent out a Number of his Men in the Dutch taken by the King of Madura. Boat, to bring Rice, and other Provisions from Shore. No sooner were they landed, then seiz’d, disarm’d, stripp’d, and carry’d before the King. Those staying long, another Boat was sent with only three Men, and the same befell them. The Prisoners intreated the King to give leave, that those three, or any others, might go to give the Admiral an Account. He granted it, but upon Condition, that as soon as they had deliver’d the Message, they should return to Prison. They gave Notice of their Misfortune, and the Admiral sent away a Boat to carry immediate Advice to his Countrymen at the City Jorta, writing several Letters to procure the Prisoners Liberty. The Vice-Admiral came with his Ships, and joyn’d those at Arosbay. The His Demands for their Ransom. King demanded the two biggest Brass Guns aboard the Admiral, many Pieces of Silk, and one thousand Pieces of Eight for the Ransom of the Prisoners. The Admiral answer’d, That the Cannon was not his own, but belong’d to all his Nation, and therefore he desir’d him to moderate the Ransom, and turn it into Money, or take it out in such Commodities as he brought. Six Days were spent in Treating, and the Delay made the Conclusion more Difficult; and therefore the Admiral believing, that his Men were kept Prisoners in their own Boats, or near the Sea, without any considerable Guard, he order’d all his Men to land at once, and to Rescue them Attempt to Rescue them by Force. by Force. An hundred and fifty Dutchmen attempted it, but saw a great Number of People gathering on the Shore, led by the Portugueses, who carry’d white Colours, in token of Peace, giving out that they came to treat of an Accommodation, which, as Hugo affirms, was a Stratagem to gain Time for the Citizens to Arm. The Dutch either suspected, or had Notice of it, and forming a small body with about 20 Musquetiers, contriv’d to have their other Boats draw nearer, that so the Seamen and Officers might come to Fight, according to the appointed Order. More Men came out of the City, at another Gate, to enclose them unawares in the Port. The Dutch saw into the Policy, and were sensible of the Danger, and therefore sent two other boats to guard the Port. This Precaution was the saving of their Lives; but they could not escape a Shower of Arrows, wherewith the Arosbayans thought to subdue them, not so much by their Force, and the Harm receiv’d, as by keeping the Enemy in Play, that so they might spend their Powder, and be oblig’d to retire to their Ships. Nor would they have been safe there, for now the Wind and Sea threatned them, and Dutch Defeated. thirty six Men belonging to the Admiral, and thirteen to the Zealand were Drown’d, and the Boats cast away. Some few escap’d, whom they did not kill, at the Request of the Renegado of Tuban, but they were made Prisoners. These kneeling down, to move Compassion, with their dismal Looks, and Tears, the Conquerors laid a Handful of Earth on their Heads, a Ceremony Ceremony in giving Quarter. they use towards the vanquish’d, whose Lives they grant. Perhaps they themselves know not the Reason, and Original of the Custom. Five and Twenty were lost in this Encounter, fifteen of the Admirals, one of John Marts, and nine of the Zealand. The Prisoners were carry’d to a Country Cottage; three Men dangerously wounded, one Trumpeter, and a Herald put into Chains, the others only their Hands bound. The rest were carry’d far from these, and put into a deep Cellar. The Herald being brought into the King’s Presence, he ask’d him, whether he would stay in his Country, promising, among other Favours, that he would marry him to two of his own Wives. The Dutchman answer’d, returning Thanks, but with Freedom in his Looks, That with his good leave he had rather return to his Companions. He was therefore carry’d, with the Trumpeter, about the City, and at his going out at the Gate saw all the Prisoners, being fifty one, who were conducting, under a Guard, to another Island.
Prisoners Ransom’d. In fine, the Agreement was concluded, and the King discharg’d them for 2000 Florines. So they return’d to their Ships, except two, who hid themselves, taking a liking to that barbarous Way of living. The Governour Jacob Marts Dy’d, his Body was cast into the Sea, and the rest sailing to the Dutch Depart. Northward, directed their Course for the Island of Celebes. They pass’d by Combay, six Leagues from it, and beyond that of Routon, and escap’d the Ridges of Rocks of Cebessa, which are not mark’d down, nor taken Notice of in Maps. Their fell mighty Rains, and they steer’d North East for the Island of Amboyna, and in sight of Boora. A Boy dy’d aboard the Zealand; another falling off a Yard, into the Sea, held a Rope’s End in his Mouth, that his arms might be at Liberty to swim, and quitted it not, till he had Help, and was sav’d. The next Day they lay by, and their Preacher made a long Spiritual Discourse upon the Sacraments, to celebrate the solemnity of Baptizing two Boys, whom he had already Catechis’d. On the first of March, not far from Blau, to the Eastward of Boora, they saw three other smaller Islands, call’d Atypoti, Maniba, and Gita, which are not far from Come to Amboyna. Amboyna. They pass’d by them, and arriv’d at Amboyna on the third of the same Month.