Voyages of the Dutch brig of war Dourga

by D. H. Kolff

A third accidental circumstance which occurred, tended to enlarge the breach. While the children belonging to the two villages were playing with small bows and arrows, a child from Ewena happened to wound slightly one of those from Romian. The inhabitants of the latter place viewing the accident as an intentional offence, demanded satisfaction, and whenever parties from each village met, they proceeded from words to blows, and at length broke out into open war with each other. Each party robbed the other of their women, destroyed their fisheries, and put a stop to their agriculture, becoming more embittered at the occurrence of every deed, until at length, a few weeks before my arrival, a downright skirmish ensued, in which the people of Ewena had one man killed and nine wounded, while ten belonging to the other party were wounded also.

The people of Ewena, being the less powerful of the two, demanded assistance from the inhabitants of Aweer, to some of whose warriors the badge of honour, called the korra-korra,[39] was delivered. The parties now became so exasperated, that there existed no possibility of those who had not entered into the quarrel being able to pacify them, and the strife soon extended to Larrat, and even to the more distant Serra, where individuals, influenced by family connections, took up the cause of one or the other party. Thus, we find in these distant parts of the globe a confirmation of the fact, that wars and other important events spring from the most insignificant causes. The narrative of these differences afforded me a new proof of how unfortunate these ignorant and uncivilized people are, when they are from under the protection of the Dutch Government, and have been left to themselves for a long series of years.

On my return to the shore I had the satisfaction to perceive, that both parties had laid aside their weapons, but without having renewed their former familiarity. I landed between the two villages, at a spot where I had caused a tent of canvass to be erected, to shelter ourselves and the escort.

As soon as I found that both parties would abide by my decision, I judged it advisable to bring the chiefs together, and to reconcile them as well as possible, in order to render it more easy to comply with their mutual demands. I also hoped that by being brought together, each party would be inclined to use more courtesy to the other, and I did not hesitate to make them acquainted with my object, promising, at the same time, that I would decide with justice and impartiality. I promised also to stand security for the personal safety of the chiefs of each party; but in spite of this I had the greatest difficulty in inducing them to come forward, and place themselves, one party to the right, and the other to the left of me and my men. Having, at length, succeeded, I brought to their view the mutual detriment that ensued from their discord. The Malayan language, in which I addressed them, was interpreted to them by my linguists. After some time this address appeared suddenly to affect them, and the chiefs of both parties burst into tears, and unanimously entreated me to effect a reconciliation, promising to make any reparation that I might think proper. I took advantage of this favourable opportunity; and placing the hands of the opposing chiefs together, wished that good fortune might attend their reconciliation. This struck them so forcibly that they fell on each other's necks, and a salvo was immediately fired from the muskets of our party, and from the one-pounders in the boats. The chiefs now sat down in a circle before the tent, and took siri from each other's boxes, as a solemn proof of sincere reconciliation, the interpreters being also requested to partake of it. A glass of arrack was also distributed to each of the by-standers by my steward, and by way of strengthening the renewed friendship, my interpreter delivered a very appropriate and affecting prayer, which met with a most enthusiastic reception. Many of the words uttered by the interpreter were repeated with fervour by the by-standers, from which it was evident that they had been heard attentively.

After this I thought of making a visit to Sebeano; and leaving one of the interpreters behind, withdrew from the assembly, with the promise that I would afterwards enquire into the arrangement of their mutual demands. I have already remarked that, under similar circumstances, the natives should be left to their own deliberations for a certain time, in order to arrive at the desired end.

From the speedy manner in which this reconciliation was effected, it will perhaps be supposed, that the task of making peace among these people is an easy one; but such is not the case. My patience was sometimes nearly exhausted, for I was obliged to go, certainly, ten times from one village to the other before I could induce the contending parties to come together; and although it was always my wish to effect my object by means of mild remonstrances, I was now and then obliged to make use of serious threats. The good result which usually attended my efforts, incited me to persevere and spare no trouble; but yet, as it will subsequently appear, my labours were sometimes almost insupportable.

On my return to the brig I found that it was too late to carry into effect the plan I had proposed, and I therefore employed the following day in attending to the affairs of Sebeano and the villages lying to the northward, this mode of proceeding giving satisfaction to all parties.

Sebeano, which consisted of about twenty houses, was situated on the sea-coast, an hour's walk to the northward of our position; and two hour's journey beyond this again, was Adodo, a village similar in point of size and situation to the other. Midway between the brig and Sebeano, a small river ran into the sea, from which we filled our water. A still larger river emptied itself between Aweer and Ewena.

M. Dielwaart and myself, accompanied by the interpreters, spent the early part of the morning in examining the island, which proved to be tolerably well cultivated, and fertile in the extreme. Our path lay over hills, the summits of which afforded us a beautiful prospect of the surrounding country; fine fenced plantations, in which huts were erected for watch-houses, being visible in every direction.

The stock produced on the island consists chiefly of hogs, goats and fowls, the latter being in so great abundance, that three or four were to be purchased for a chopping-knife. These knives, with thick brass wire, parangs, dishes, basins, bottles, red beads, coarse cloths of red and other colours, are the articles most in demand as payment for stock and provisions. Dresses made at Great Timor and Kissa are also much esteemed; as are elephants' tusks, gongs, Javanese dresses, and gold and silver coin, the last being in demand for the manufacture of ear-rings and other ornaments.