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THE SUBAK The rugged, mountainous nature of the island, closely furrowed by deep ravines, makes irrigation extremely difficult. Water led from the mountains to the various levels of cultivated Ian an elaborate system of canals, dams, bamboo pipes, and even tunnels cut through solid rock, to the dikes that permit the sawa to be flooded or drained at will. Solid matter is filtered off pools are made for sand deposits to prevent the clogging of the ricefields. It is obvious that small landowners could not carry out, al the tremendous task of attending to the work of irrigation became necessary for them to organize into subaks, agricul co-operative societies, " water boards " that control the equitable distribution of water to their members, all those who take water from a common source. The objectives of the subak are to the small agriculturist the assurance that he will not lack water to police the dams effectively so that strangers will not diver water supply, to settle disputes, and to attend to the communal rice festivals. In the village the society assumes full social, technical, and administrative authority in all matters concerning irigation and agriculture. Like the village and ward associations, the subak is pre over by elected headmen, the kliang and penyarikan subak, their assistants (pangliman). The subak leaders open an( side over the meetings, see that the decisions and rules are carried out, impose fines and penalties, and act as treasurers of the organization. They keep written records of the names of the members and of all transactions and proceedings. The offices of the
subak leaders are unrewarded, except, as in the case of other societies,
for certain privileges such as extra shares of water and a small percentage
of the fines collected. Every man who owns ricefields is compelled to
join the subak and to carry out orders. Members may be allowed to buy
off their services, but they must be present when important repairs
are made, even though they may pay others to do their share of the work.
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