a little scrap-iron (tahi bĕsi), and deposit them in the hole which you have dug.
Then take a fowl,^60 a goat, or a buffalo [according to the ascertained or reputed
malignity of the locally presiding earth-demon (puaka)], and cut its throat
according to Muhammadan custom, spilling its blood into the hole. Then cut off
its head and feet, and deposit them within the hole to serve as a foundation for
the centre-post to rest upon (buat lapik tiang s’ri). Put a ring on your little finger
out of compliment to the earth-spirit (akan mĕmbujok jĕmbalang itu), repeat the
charm^61 and erect the post.”^62
Another form of the above ceremony was described to me by a magician as
follows:—
“Deposit in the hole a little scrap-iron and tin-ore, a candle nut (buah k’ras or
buah gorek), a broken hatchet head (b’liong patah), and a cent (in copper). Wait
till everybody else has returned home, and, standing close to the hole, pick up
three clods (kĕpal) of earth, hold them (gĕnggam) over the incense, turn ‘right-
about-face’ and repeat the charm.^63 Then take the three clods home (without
once turning round to look behind you till you reach home), place them under
your sleeping pillow and wait till nightfall, when you may have either a good or
a bad dream. If the first night’s dream be bad, throw away one of the clods and
dream again. If the second night’s dream be bad, repeat the process, and
whenever you get a good dream deposit the clod or clods under the butt-end of
the centre-post to serve as a foundation.”
A magician gave me this specimen of a charm used at this ceremony (of erecting
the centre-post):—
“Ho, Raja Guru, Maharaja Guru,
You are the sons of Batara Guru.
I know the origin from which you spring,
From the Flashing of Lightning’s spurs;
I know the origin from which you spring,
From the Brightening of Daybreak.
Ho, Spectre of the Earth, Brains of the Earth, Demon of the Earth,
Retire ye hence to the depths of the Ocean,
To the peace of the primeval forest.
Betwixt you and me