jug until the water becomes appreciably scented; about twenty leaves of the
sweet-scented pandanus (pandan wangi) are then added, together with a bunch
of fragrant areca-palm blossoms, and other scented flowers, such as the
champaka and kĕnanga, which are shredded (di-iris) into a wooden tray and
mixed together, whilst fragrant essences, such as rose-water (ayer mawar),
lavender water (ayer labenda), attar of roses (minyak attar or turki) are added
when obtainable. A betel-leaf tray containing all the articles required for
chewing betel is then prepared, together with a new mat of pandanus-leaf, in
which are rolled up five hasta^109 of white cloth, and a brass bowl or alms box, in
which latter are to be placed the contributions (sĕdĕkah) of the deceased’s
relations. The preparations are completed by bringing in the bier (usongan),
which has to be made on purpose, except in towns where a bier is kept in the
mosque.
In the case of the single plank coffin the body is laid on the plank (which is
carried on the bier) and a sort of wicker-work covering (lerang-lerang) of split
bamboo is placed over the corpse, so as to protect it on its way to the grave. In
the case of the karanda the body is laid in the coffin, which is carried on the
bier; and in the case of the long, there being no bottom in this form of coffin, the
body lies on a mat. In each case the bier is covered with a pall (kain tudong) of
as good coloured cloth (never white, but often green) as may be obtainable.
There are generally two or three of these coverings, and floral decorations are
sometimes thrown across them, the blossoms of the areca-palm and the scented
pandanus being woven into exquisite floral strips, called “Centipedes’ Feet” (jari
lipan), about three feet long by two fingers in breadth, and laid at short intervals
across the pall. There are generally from five to six of these floral strips, the
areca blossom alternating with the pandanus. The number of bearers depends on
the rank of the deceased; in the case of a Sultan as many as possible bear a hand
in sending him to the grave, partly because of the pahala or merit thereby
obtained, and partly (no doubt) for the sake of the sĕdĕkah or alms given to
bearers. The procession then starts for the grave; none of the mourners or
followers here wear any special dress or sign of mourning, such as the white
sash with coloured ribbon which is sometimes worn at Singapore (unless the
kabong puteh or strip of white cloth which is distributed as a funeral favour at
the death of a Sultan may be so reckoned). The only mourning which appears to
be known to Malays is the rare use of a kind of black edging for the envelopes of
letters, and that is no doubt copied from the English custom, though I may add