Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait451906roya).pdf/306

 R. Shelford, Curator of the Sarawak Museum at Kuching, on which edgings are made by the Malays principally in gold thread for veils and coats worn by the Dyak women. This edging is there called "puntas," the pillow "guling puntas," the bobbins "pelulak," and the pattern which is pricked out on a strip of palm leaf is called "kabat puntas." The pillow is very primitive, a cylindrical cushion, placed on an earthenware bowl, and the bobbins which vary in number from four to sixteen are like ninepins and extremely clumsy. Good specimens of all the three pillows here des- cribed may now be seen in the Singapore Museum. I have learnt myself to make the Malacca "biku" and have append- ed to these notes the common words used by my teacher during our lessons. A tentative attempt is now being made to revive the industry at the Girls School at Pringgit. It is an industry specially adapted to Malay women. I owe my grateful thanks to the Bible Society Ladies for introducing me to this local industry, also to Mr. Howell, who has so kindly assisted me with his camera, and for some very careful and detailed information received from the Resident in Palembang through Mr. Spakler.

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