round the tray called “centipedes’ feet,” and the rice receptacles of plaited palm-fronds (kĕtupat
and lĕpat) which are attached to the “suspenders” of the tray.
Page 414.Now scatter the parched rice upon the surface of the water in the jars, and watch
for the signs:—
- If the rice is lumped together (bulat or bĕrlubok) it is a good sign.
- If it extends itself crosswise (panjang mĕlintang) it is a bad sign.
- If it takes the shape of a spirit-boat (lanchang) you must make a spirit-
boat; that is what is wanted. - If it keeps travelling either to the left or the right, it is a stream-spirit
(anak sungei) which has affected the patient. - If it takes the shape of a crocodile, or anything of that sort, it is an earth-
spirit (puaka) which has affected the patient.
The most popular method of propitiating evil spirits consists in the use of the
sacrificial tray called Anchak.
This is “a small frame of bamboo or wood,”^122 usually from two to three feet
square and turned up at the sides, which are decorated with a long fringe
(jari’lipan) of plaited cocoa-nut leaf. Four rattan “suspenders” of equal length
(tali pĕnggantong) are fastened to the four corners, and are thence carried up to
meet at a point which may be from two to three feet above the tray.
These trays appear to be divisible into two classes, according to the objects
which they are intended to serve. In the one case certain offerings (to be
described presently) are laid upon the tray, which is carried out of the house to a
suitable spot and there suspended to enable the spirits for whom it is designed to
feed upon its contents.^123 In the other case certain objects are deposited upon it,
into which the evil spirits are ceremoniously invited to enter, in which case it
must obviously be got rid of after the ceremony, and is therefore hung up in the
jungle, or set adrift in the sea or the nearest river; in the latter case it is called the
“keeled sacrifice-tray” (anchak pĕlunas), and falls into line with other objects
which are occasionally set adrift for the same purpose.
The offerings placed on the sacrificial tray vary considerably, according to the