Voyages of the Dutch brig of war Dourga

by D. H. Kolff

The fishery is carried on here in a very simple manner. Neither nets nor lines are made use of, the fish being taken at the rising of the tide by means of bamboo spears, some of which are provided with ten or twelve small points,[40] while others have only a single barbed point. Bows and arrows are used by others, who wade knee-deep over the coral banks, which absolutely swarm with fish at that time of the tide; indeed, the abundance is so great, that even by this simple method a short time only is required to obtain sufficient for the daily consumption.

On the 17th I held another meeting of the inhabitants of Ewena and Romian, at which the entire population of these villages were present. When installing the chiefs, whom they had chosen as their Orang Kayas, I observed to them that this title of itself signified nothing, unless they showed obedience to those who possessed it, and gave them much other advice which appeared to me to be applicable to their situation. The Orang Kaya of Aweer having been acknowledged on this occasion as the highest in rank, I presented him with a silver-knobbed baton as a token of his rank, while the others received flags to hoist in their villages, and acts of appointment were drawn up for all.

The period from ten o'clock in the morning until two in the afternoon, was passed in settling their old differences. The result was, that the people of Ewena received back the korra-korra above-mentioned, giving in exchange an elephant's tusk; the other affairs being adjusted in a similar manner. We were then invited into the villages, to partake of some refreshments that had been prepared for us, every thing affording proofs of kindness and friendship.

After my return on board, several young men came to me for the purpose of asking a passage to Banda, but I refused, giving as an excuse that the brig was already full. These islanders willingly leave their homes for a period, their object, I believe, being pure curiosity, coupled with a desire to learn a little of the Malayan language, that they may be viewed with greater respect on their return to their own country. Every year some of them leave the island with the Amboynese and Banda traders, who value them much, as they prove very useful on board their vessels. Many occasionally reside at Banda in the Malayan kampong, where they lead an idle life, occasionally catching fish, but loitering away the remainder of their time. M. Camphuyzen, the Resident, has often assured me that neither force nor kindness would induce them to lead a laborious life. According to an old custom, which obtains among the Tenimber islanders, those who have committed misdemeanours are often forced to leave their country for a certain time, who may return after a lapse of two or three years, when they are received again with friendship. When the small-pox[41] or other infectious disease appears among them, the patients are sent to the island Mulo, and are not allowed to return until perfectly restored to health. The relatives of these unfortunates show no compunction in leaving them to their fate; and as no one approaches them when under the affliction, they are forced to seek their own subsistence on the shores and amid the forests of the island.

An Orang Tua of Ewena, named David, who, according to his own account, was descended from Christians, joined me as interpreter for a very slight remuneration. In his youth he had been at Amboyna and Banda, where he had made great progress in the Malayan language, this accomplishment rendering him of great service to us. He frequently assured me, that the submission of the Tenimberese was not to be depended upon, and only arose from the great dread they entertained of the Company; but I thought that I had reason for placing no belief in what he stated. It will appear, however, from what follows, that the satisfaction I experienced at Vordate soon had a most unpleasant set off.

Having determined to pay a visit to Kalioba, a village on Larrat, immediately opposite to Aweer, and having a smaller village, situated a little to the northward, under its rule, I left the brig with two boats, accompanied by M. Dielwaart, Mr. Leydelmeyer the writer, Mr. Cadet Bolk, and the interpreters. Our reception was apparently courteous: the Dutch flag waved in the village, two shots were fired from lelahs, and a portion of the villagers appeared on the beach to meet us. I judged, however, from their behaviour and warlike appearance, that we were not so welcome as it seemed, and my opinion was soon confirmed.

We were not invited to enter the village, and as two boat-sheds were erected on the beach, one of which was empty, we took up our quarters under it, and brought the goods up out of the boats, which by this time were no longer afloat, the reefs having fallen dry for some distance out to sea. As the natives continually pressed around us, we posted sentries round the shed, who had great difficulty in keeping out the crowd. With a view to inspire them with confidence, I went entirely unarmed and alone into the village, and visited the chiefs and elders in their houses. Neither women nor children were to be seen, and on my remarking this, I was answered that they had gone out to labour in the plantations.

Our arrival had not been unexpected, as it had already been announced to them from Vordate. The uncourteous reception I met with, therefore, annoyed me extremely, as it could not be otherwise than premeditated.

In the meantime I invited the chiefs to approach me, and made them acquainted with the object of my visit, informing them of the good intentions of the Government; after which I caused the letter to be read to them, and distributed the presents, which were similar in every respect to those given to the chiefs of Vordate. They were received, however, with the greatest indifference, as if they conferred a favour on us by accepting them, and any remarks that I made on the subject were scarcely listened to. Until late at night they continually importuned us for arrack in the most rude manner, and even went so far as to take away the bottles from among our things without asking leave. We found it to be necessary to take the greatest precaution; and this, coupled with the indifference of our dwelling, which admitted both wind and rain, caused us to pass a very unpleasant night.

From the early part of the morning we were again annoyed by people asking for arrack. We requested the chiefs to furnish us with some water and two earthern pots, in which to cook rice and other provisions, but we received neither; and I was necessitated to send the seamen to a river, a quarter of an hour's walk from us, to obtain some of the former, there being no wells near the village. In the early part of the morning a number of women passed us laden with faggots and bamboos full of water, the rattling of the rings on their legs creating a sound similar to that made by the movements of a gang of chained criminals.