[clxxxiv] Tilek Penyakit
Another method of “water-gazing,” by looking into a cup containing saliva
produced by chewing betel
The directions for this ceremony run as follows:—
Get (preferably) a woman (or failing a woman, a man), to chew up for you three
“chews” of betel-leaf (betel-leaf with meeting leaf-ribs (sirih bertĕmu urat) is
the best). Receive the saliva in a cup and cover it over with a betel-leaf.
Fumigate it with incense and then remove the covering, and “gaze” at it (tilek)
intently. The following are the signs which you must look for:—
(1) If it looks yellowish it shows that the patient has been affected by rain in the heat
of the day.
(Kalau rĕchak-rechak kuning rupa chahia-nya, kena hujan panas.)(2) If it is pitted (with hollows) it shows that the patient has been affected by a
stopped-up well or buffalo-wallow.
(Kalau rupa berlubok-lubok, kena prigi buta atau kubangan.)(3) If it has long streaks running right through it, it shows that the patient has been
affected by the Heart of Wood.
(Kalau rupa-nya berurat panjang terjantang ayer sirih-nya, kena tĕras ada-nya.)(4) If round, he has been affected by a hidden tree-stump.(Kalau rupa-nya bulat, kena tunggul buta.)