object the invocation and propitiation of certain spirits, is gone through....
“The ceremony, which is a curious one, is performed in the following manner:
The company having entered the shed and taken their seats, a brazier is placed in
front of the Pâwang, or Medicine-Man, who is also the head of the theatrical
troop. In this brazier precious woods and spices are burned, and while the
incense ascends, the Pâwang intones the following incantation, the other
members of the troop repeating each sentence in chorus as he concludes it.
“‘Peace be unto Thee, whose mother is from the earth, and whose father has
ascended to the Heavens! Smite not the male and female actors, and the old and
young buffoons with Thy cruelty, nor yet with the curse of poverty! Oh, do not
threaten with punishment the members of this company, for I come not hither to
vie with Thee in wisdom or skill or talent: not such is my desire in coming
hither. If I come unto this place, I do so placing my faith in all the people,^180 my
masters who own this village. Therefore suffer not any one to oppress, or envy,
or do a mischief unto all the body of male and female actors, together with the
young and old buffoons, and the minstrels and bridegroom,^181 together with Sri
Gĕmûroh, Sri Bĕrdĕngong.^182 Oh, suffer them not to be hurt or destroyed,
injured, or maimed; let not the male or female actors be contused or battered,
and let them not be injured or maimed; let them not be afflicted with headache,
nor with undue physical heat, nor yet with throbbing pains or with shooting
aches. Oh, let them not be injured by collisions like unto ships, the bows of
which are telescoped,^183 nor afflicted with excessive voiding. Suffer them not to
vomit freely, nor to be overcome by heavy weariness or fatigue or weakness. I
ask that Thou wilt suffer them to be as they have been accustomed to be in
former times, and to feel cool and fresh like unto the snake, the chinta-mâni.^184
“‘Peace be unto Thee, O Black Awang,^185 who art King of the Earth! Be not
startled nor deranged, and be not offended, for Thou art wont to wander in the
veins of the ground, and to take Thy rest in the portals of the Earth.^186 I come
not hither to vie with Thee in wisdom, for I only place my trust in Thee, and
would surrender myself wholly into thy hands; and I beg Thee to retire but three
paces from the four corners of our shed, and that Thou shalt refrain from
wandering hither and thither, for under Thy care I place the male and female
actors, and all the buffoons, both young and old, together with all the musicians
and the bridegrooms. I place them under Thy care, and do not oppress or envy