180
Literally, “Brothers and Sisters and Chiefs”; this refers to the Spirits who inhabit the villages,
and not to the Humans. ↑
181
The term used is Penjak pengantin, which means musicians and bridegroom. The former term
includes all people belonging to the Ma’iong who make a noise. The latter term means a man
whose wedding is being celebrated, but in this connection it is applied to the Pa’iong or jeune
premier. ↑
182
These names are given by the Ma’iong people to the two big gongs used by them (tetâwak or
tâwak-tâwak). Gĕmûroh is formed from gûroh (= thunder), in exactly the same way as
kĕmûning, the yellow wood used for the cross-pieces of kris scabbards, is formed from kûning
(= yellow). Dĕngong is the word used to describe the noise made by a gong, by the wind, or
any other sonorous sound. ↑
183
The phrase in the original is Halûan sûsun. The former word means the bows of a boat, the
latter is applied to things fitted together, as sirih leaves are fitted when one leaf is laid on the
top of another. The use of this phrase is very curious, and I believe it to convey the sense which
I have rendered. I have never heard the phrase in any other connection, nor have I met with it
except in this incantation. [Should not the correct reading be halun (= alun) susun, which is a
fairly common Malay phrase used of the waves “crowding” one upon another on a stormy day?
—W.S.] ↑
184
Chinta-mâni, the name of a very short snake of a golden yellow colour, the presence of which
is regarded as a lucky omen. ↑
185
Awang is a very common male proper name among the natives of Kelantan, and in addressing
any man whose name is not known it is always used, much as Kûlop is employed among the
natives of Perak. ↑
186
Malays believe Spirits to be extremely sensitive as regards their origin and their habits, and any
knowledge possessed by a human being on these subjects renders the spirit harmless. [The
same idea has been noticed supra with reference to animals, etc.] ↑
187
The least sensitive spirit in the world might not unreasonably dislike so many personal remarks