[91] Hodgson, Miscellaneous Essays, i. 150.
[92] Hunter, Annals of Rural Bengal, i. 217. Cf. Ymer, v. p. xxiv.
[93] Lewin, Wild Races of South-Eastern India, p. 254.
[94] Colquhoun, Amongst the Shans, p. 234. Cf. Fytche, Burma, ii. 72.
Among the Nicobarese “the position of women is, and always has been, in no way inferior to that of the other sex. They take their full share in the formation of public opinion, discuss publicly with the men matters of general interest to the village, and their opinions receive due attention before a decision is arrived at. In fact, they are consulted on every matter, and the henpecked husband is of no extraordinary rarity in the Nicobars.”[95] Mr. Crawfurd thinks that in the Malay Archipelago “the lot of women may, on the whole, be considered as more fortunate than in any other country of the East”; they associate with the men “in all respects on terms of such equality as surprise us in such a condition of society.”[96] In Bali they are on a perfect equality with the men.[97] The Dyak shows great respect for his wife, and always asks her opinion;[98] he regards her “not as a slave, but as a companion.”[99] Among the Bataks the married women often have a great influence over their families.[100] In Serang they have in all matters equal rights with the men, and are, consequently, treated well.[101] The women of Sulu “have the reputation of ruling their lords, and possess much weight in the government by the influence they exert over their husbands.”[102]
[95] Kloss, In the Andamans and Nicobars, p. 242.
[96] Crawfurd, History of the Indian Archipelago, i. 73.
[97] Raffles, History of Java, ii. p. ccxxxi.
[98] Bock, Head-Hunters of Borneo, p. 210 sq.
[99] Selenka, Sonnige Welten, p. 33. Cf. Wilkes, op. cit. v. 363.