Journal of the Federated Malay States museums - Sabrizain.org
Journal of the Federated Malay States museums - Sabrizain.org
Journal of the Federated Malay States museums - Sabrizain.org
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
—<br />
XV. FURTHER NOTES ON AN ABORIGINAL<br />
TRIBE OF PAHANG<br />
Bj Ivor II. N. Evans, b.a.<br />
The following notes on customs, religious beliefs, etc. were<br />
omitted from a former paper <strong>of</strong> mine in this <strong>Journal</strong>,* which<br />
dealt with several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> aboriginal tribes <strong>of</strong> Pahang. They<br />
refer to a tribe, or section <strong>of</strong> a tribe, <strong>of</strong> Jakun whose place <strong>of</strong><br />
origin is said to be Salang on <strong>the</strong> Tekam River. Pulau Tawar,<br />
but who, when I met <strong>the</strong>m, were settled on <strong>the</strong> Tekai River.<br />
Beliefs with Regard to Natural Phenomena.<br />
(i.) According to <strong>the</strong> Jakun <strong>the</strong> sun is held by an anteater.<br />
When he rolls his body round it <strong>the</strong> light is no longer seen and<br />
it is night ; but, when he unrolls himself, <strong>the</strong> sun shines clearly<br />
and it is day.<br />
(2.) The rainbow is a dragon in <strong>the</strong> sky.<br />
(3.) An eclipse <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> moon portends sickness.<br />
(4.) Thunder is made by a spirit called Ninek,i who makes<br />
a noise in his armpits by banging his arms against his body.<br />
(5.) Ninik makes <strong>the</strong> lightning by Hashing a thin board<br />
about which is attached to a string (i.e. a bull-roarer).<br />
The Under-World.<br />
The Jakun gave me some details with regard to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
belief in an under-world. I recount <strong>the</strong>m below, just as <strong>the</strong>y<br />
were1 told to me.<br />
There are dragons in <strong>the</strong> under-world and a single old<br />
woman. She makes her house and her belongings from <strong>the</strong><br />
bones <strong>of</strong> people who have died upon <strong>the</strong> earth. Their ribs<br />
become <strong>the</strong> floor <strong>of</strong> her house, <strong>the</strong>ir leg-bones <strong>the</strong> posts, and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir skulls water-vessels. This woman, when she has reached<br />
<strong>the</strong> limits <strong>of</strong> old age, becomes young again. Her name is Arud.<br />
The dragons, who have horns, are her playthings. One <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>m is her special pet and sits close to her.<br />
( ustoms and beliefs connected with death and<br />
Burial.<br />
The following details with regard to customs and beliefs<br />
connected with death and burial were givi n me by one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
men <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> settlement,<br />
* Vol. V, pp. 209-211 (1915)<br />
t Nyam as an equivalent for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Malay</strong> bantu is a c< mmon word in many<br />
Sakai dialects. Ed.