The country Ma-yi [2] is located north of Poni. [3] About one thousand
families inhabit the shores of a river which has many windings. [4] The
natives dress in linen, wearing clothes that look like sheets; or they
cover their bodies with sarongs. [5] In the thick woods are scattered
copper statues of Buddha, but no one can tell the origin of those
statues. [6] Pirates seldom visit those districts. When [Chinese]
merchantmen arrive at that port they cast anchor at a place [called]
the place of Mandarins. That place serves them as a market, or site
where the products of their countries are exchanged. When a vessel has
entered into the port, (its captain) offers presents consisting of
white parasols and umbrellas which serve them for daily use. The
traders are obliged to observe these civilities in order to be able to
count on the favor of those gentlemen.
In order to trade, the savage traders are assembled, [7] and have the
goods carried in baskets, and although the bearers are often unknown,
none of the goods are ever lost or stolen. The savage traders transport
these goods to other islands, and thus eight or nine months pass until
they have obtained other goods of value equivalent to those that have
been received [from the Chinese]. This forces the traders of the vessel
to delay their departure, and hence it happens that the vessels that
maintain trade with Ma-yi are the ones that take the longest to return
to their country.
The most noteworthy places of this country are: San-hsii; Pai-pu-yen;
Pu-li-lu, which is located near San-hsii; Li-yin-tung; Lin-hsin; and
Li-han. [8] The products of that country are yellow wax, [9] cotton,
pearls, shells, [10] betel nuts, and jute [yu-ta] textiles. [11]
Foreign traders import porcelain, commercial gold, [12] iron vases for
perfumes, leaden objects, glass, pearls of all colors, [13] and iron
needles. [14]
San-hsii, or the “Three Islands,” belong to Ma-yi. Their names are
Ka-may-en, Pa-lao-yu, and Pa-chi-neng. [15] Each of these islands is
inhabited by its own races, who are scattered throughout them. But upon
the arrival of the vessels, the natives assemble in order to trade.
Their general name is San-hsii. Their customs are about the same as
those observed in Ma-yi. Each tribe [16] consists of about one thousand
families. The country has many lofty hills and rugged rocks which rise
up like gigantic walls. The houses of the inhabitants are built of
bamboo. The high region of the country has few springs, but the women
go to the banks of the rivulets and creeks and thence back to the
mountain bearing on their heads two or three jars filled with water, a
load that does not bother them. They ascend the mountain with the same
ease as if they were on the level. The interior of the valleys is
inhabited by a race called Hay-tan. They are of short stature, have
round yellow eyes, curly hair, and their teeth can be plainly seen
[showing] from between their lips. [17] They build their nests in the
forking of the branches of trees, and a family, usually consisting of
from three to five individuals, lives in each nest. [18] They wander
through the fastnesses of the thickets and invisible to the sight,
shoot their arrows at the passers-by. On this account they are greatly
feared. When the trader takes them a porcelain jar, they bow and take
it, and then uttering cries of joy, run away with it.
When foreign traders come to one of their villages, [19] they must not
touch the ground, but must remain aboard their vessel, which is
anchored in the middle of the current [20] and announce their presence
by beat of drum. Thereupon the savage traders approach in their light
craft, in which they carry cotton, [21] yellow wax, strange cloth, [22]
cocoanuts, onions, [23] and fine mats, and all those things they offer
for sale in exchange [for the articles of the Chinese]. In case of
misunderstanding in the price of the goods, it is necessary to summon
the chief of the traders of that place, so that he may present himself
in person, and arrange the tariff to the satisfaction of all. The
imported objects are silk umbrellas, porcelain, and a kind of basket
woven from rattan. Foreign traders receive twice or thrice the value of
the goods sold aboard, in order to serve them as a bond of security.
Afterward the foreign traders disembark and perform their contracts
there, and then return to their vessel. The goods pledged by the
natives remain only three or four days aboard the vessel, and then
after the expiration of that term they are restored [to shore]. Then
the vessel visits another village of the savages, for the coast
villages of the Three Islands do not have one common jurisdiction. [24]
The hills keep the winds from the vessels during the continuance of the
northeast monsoon. But when the southwest monsoon begins, the dashing
of the waves against the coast is so violent that great currents are
formed that do not allow the vessels to remain at anchor. This is the
reason why those who maintain trade with the Three Islands delay their
return for four or five months. Porcelain, black damask, and other silk
fabrics, pearls of various colors, lead, fishnets, and tin are
imported. Pu-li-lu is near Three Islands. Its villages are very densely
populated, [25] but its inhabitants are very cruel and inclined to
piracy. The sea is full of reefs and shoals, and the beach has rocks
which are indented like dry wood, and their points are very sharp like
those of swords and spears. [26] In order that the vessels may reach
that country, they take a long and circuitous route, in order to avoid
those shoals. [27] There are corals there, but it is very difficult to
get them. The popular and trading customs are the same as those which
exist at Three Islands.