“At first the flame was steady, but by and by, as the singers screamed more
loudly to attract the attention of the laggard Spirit, the wick began to quiver and
flare up, and it was manifest to the initiated that the Jin was introducing himself
into the candle. By some means the Pâwang, who was now supposed to be
‘possessed’ and no longer conscious of her actions, became aware of this, and
she made obeisance to the taper, sprinkling the floor round it with saffron-
coloured rice and perfumed water; then, rising to her feet and followed by the
attendant, she performed the same ceremony before each male member of the
reigning family present in the room, murmuring all the while a string of
gibberish addressed to the Spirit. This done, she resumed her seat on the mat,
and, after a brief pause, the minstrels struck up a different air, and, singing the
praises of another Jin, called upon him to come and relieve the King’s distress.
“I ascertained that each Malay State has its own special Spirits, each district is
equally well provided, and there are even some to spare for special individuals.
In this particular State there are four principal Jin; they are the Jin ka-râja-an,
the State Spirit—also called Junjong dŭnia udâra, Supporter of the Firmament;
Mâia udâra, the Spirit of the Air; Mahkôta si-râja Jin, the Crown of Royal
Spirits; and S’tan Ali.
“These four are known as Jin âruah, Exalted Spirits, and they are the guardians
of the Sultan and the State. As one star exceeds another in glory, so one Jin
surpasses another in renown, and I have named them in the order of their
greatness. In their honour four white and crimson umbrellas were hung in the
room, presumably for their use when they arrived from their distant homes. Only
the Sultan of the State is entitled to traffic with these distinguished Spirits; when
summoned they decline to move unless appealed to with their own special
invocations, set to their own peculiar music, sung by at least four singers, and
led by a Bĕduan (singer) of the royal family. The Jin ka-râja-an is entitled to
have the royal drums played by the State drummers if his presence is required,
but the other three have to be satisfied with the instruments I have described.
“There are common devils who look after common people; such as Hantu
Songkei, Hantu Malâyu, and Hantu Blîan; the last the ‘Tiger Devil,’ but out of
politeness he is called ‘Blîan,’ to save his feelings.
“Then there is Kĕmâla ajaib, the ‘Wonderful Jewel,’ Israng, Raja Ngah’s special
familiar, and a host of others. Most hantu have their own special Pâwangs, and