Voyages of the Dutch brig of war Dourga

by D. H. Kolff

The letter sent to them by the Governor of the Moluccas was now read in a loud voice by the interpreter, under a salvo from the small arms, according to the custom of the natives; and soon afterwards I distributed among them the presents with which I had been furnished for them by the Government. I have frequently observed, that the natives never decide on any point at the moment, but consult with each other until they have come to a determination. I therefore left them for a time, that they might have their deliberations to themselves. On my return, as I had expected, they expressed themselves very thankful for the good wishes of the Government, and earnestly requested that a small detachment of troops might be established among them as formerly, and that the Government would send them also a missionary or teacher to instruct them in the tenets of Christianity, for whose maintenance they would amply provide. I now, in the name of the Government, confirmed the authority of the various chiefs, in token of which I delivered the staves of office[11] formerly presented to their chiefs by the old East India Company, into the hands of their successors. The chief Orang Kaya, Zacharis Frederick Bakker, had in his possession a certificate of chieftainship furnished him by the present Government, which he requested me to inspect. I then presented him with one of the silver knobbed staves I had brought with me, promising that the Government would afterwards replace it with one provided with a golden knob.

At this meeting, the fugitives from Wetta, (among whom was the heir of the above-mentioned Orang Kaya, Pitta) were present. The chiefs of Kissa promised henceforward to interest themselves in the affairs of Wetta, in doing which they would be promoting their own welfare. I also suggested to them how advantageous it would prove were they to bring their productions to Banda and Amboyna, and gave them much advice as to the best means by which they might increase their prosperity. After this the assembly was broken up, amid a continued firing of lelahs in all parts of the village.

In the meantime a long table had been laid out in the European fashion, with plates, knives, forks and spoons, on which were placed pastry, and other refreshments for our entertainment. The natives of these parts are generally very partial to our national customs, and are also desirous of following the Dutch fashions in their mode of dress. I took my place at the table with the chiefs, while the seamen, who were not forgotten, partook of a separate repast. I had brought on shore several bottles of wine and liqueurs, which added greatly to the conviviality of the meeting, many toasts applicable to the occasion being given. Many of the natives, especially the more respectable, spoke a few words of Dutch, and they took care to make their knowledge apparent at every opportunity.

M. Kam having expressed a wish to perform divine service at the church after the conclusion of the meeting, we entered this neat and substantial building, where we found that every auditor was provided with a proper seat, although, owing to our presence, the church was very full. M. Kam gave a discourse in Malayan and Dutch. The unbroken silence maintained by the auditors, their deep attention, and the truly religious gravity which sat upon every countenance, rendered the scene highly solemn and impressive. When the service was over, about sixty of the natives, old as well as young, were christened by M. Kam, who also united twelve couples in marriage.

The village church is ninety feet in length and forty in breadth, the roof being elevated about, sixty feet from the ground. The costume of the natives was rather singular. They had naturally clothed themselves in their best on this important occasion, some wearing old fashioned-coats with wide sleeves, and broad skirts; others garments of the same description, but of a more modern cut, while the remainder were clad in long black kabyas, or loose coats, the usual dress of native Christians. The costume of those who were clad in the old fashioned coats, was completed by short breeches, shoes with enormous buckles, and three-cornered or round felt hats, of an ancient description. Many of the women wore old Dutch chintz gowns or jackets, the costume of the remainder being the native sarong and kabya. The heads of the women were adorned with ornaments of gold and precious stones, but the men wore their long hair simply confined with a tortoise-shell comb, after the mode adopted by the native Christians of Amboyna. These quaint costumes acted as a considerable foil to the sedateness of the meeting; but even the unpolished seamen did not commit themselves by giving vent to their mirth, and the whole service was performed amid the most perfect order and regularity.

After leaving the church we were invited with much kindness into many of the private houses, and always found small tables laid out with refreshments, the hosts endeavouring, to the best of their power, to receive us with hospitality.

The people of Kissa are far in advance of those of Amboyna in point of industry. Every house that we visited was surrounded by a garden, laid out with much care, in which were planted Indian corn, tobacco, cabbages, siri (piper betel), and various sorts of culinary vegetables, while large herds of cattle were grazing in the valleys.

It was late in the afternoon when we made preparations to return on board. We left the village attended by a multitude of the people, the seamen walking in advance, with drums beating and colours flying, while the officers and myself were carried in litters as before, the kind-hearted and thankful islanders greeting us with blessings and shouts of joy, accompanied by the firing of their lelahs.

On my return on board, I judged it inadvisable to remain under the coast during the night, as we were anchored with a cable of gumuti, (the hairy bark of the borassus gumutus), which is more liable to chafe over the rocks than those of European hemp. Indeed, towards evening the cable parted, which obliged us to stand off and on during the night. Ships navigating these seas should always be provided with chain cables. While the eastern monsoon prevails, the current sets to the eastward, or to windward through these islands, from Dilli, or Timor, as far as the island of Baba. This remark will be of value to navigators, as by taking advantage of this weather current they may work to windward through these islands with facility.

On the morning of the 15th I again went on shore, and, after visiting the village, penetrated farther into the interior than I had previously been. Proofs of the industry and orderly habits of the natives were encountered at every step. My attention was particularly drawn to the course of instruction adopted at the schools, where all the children, under nine or ten years of age, assembled to learn reading and writing, and the rudiments of Christianity.