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
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
XXII. BELIEFS, ( [ STOMS, AND FOLK-TALES OF<br />
THE BEHRANG-VALLEY SENOI.<br />
l'.\ [vor II. X. Evans, Assistant Curator & Ethnogr,<br />
''<br />
.<br />
urns.<br />
visiting<br />
i\ in <strong>the</strong> present year (1917) I liad an opportunity ot<br />
up <strong>of</strong> Sakai who were living near <strong>the</strong><br />
Behrang River, in Perak, about eight miles north <strong>of</strong> Tanjong<br />
Malim, As <strong>the</strong>y were a somewhat civilized community <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
technology was not particularly interesting, since <strong>the</strong>y had<br />
given up making many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> articles worn, or used, by <strong>the</strong><br />
wilder tribes. I spent ra<strong>the</strong>r more than a fortnight in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
village, and found <strong>the</strong>m friendly and willing to give information<br />
with regard to <strong>the</strong>ir beliefs and customs. I'hey told me that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y maintained relations both with <strong>the</strong> Senoi (Sakai) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Slim Valley, whom <strong>the</strong>y called Mai Slip, and with <strong>the</strong> tribe,<br />
seemingly <strong>of</strong> mixed Sakai-Jakun origin, which lives near Kerling<br />
in Sela'ngor, and speaks'<strong>Malay</strong> as its mo<strong>the</strong>r-tongue.<br />
I re<br />
<strong>the</strong> nearest neighbours <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Behrang Senoi, who<br />
inhabit <strong>the</strong> neighbourhood <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Behrang and <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bil<br />
Rivers. The Kerlingp Mai Mel 11 ai (outside<br />
people), or sometimes as Mai Renyup, from <strong>the</strong> fact that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y use a word "nyup" meaning "is not," in <strong>the</strong>ir dialect,<br />
which is equivalent to <strong>the</strong> ordinary <strong>Malay</strong> phrase tiada.<br />
1<br />
.Marriages between Behrang Senoi and Mai Sup ot Mai<br />
em to be not infrequent, one woman that I met having<br />
been married t a Slim man (and divorced); and ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
having come from <strong>the</strong> Kerling tribe. Divorce seems to be<br />
fairl) common, and I was told that in this respect men and<br />
women are on quality, a permanent<br />
separation, with free lorn to marry, taking place at <strong>the</strong> wish <strong>of</strong><br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r p irty. With <strong>the</strong> ex> irrn m<br />
rare, and Kati lid that even<br />
this war- n I, nor did it lead to blows among <strong>the</strong> par<br />
: found ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
ly take it away, and upbraid<br />
1<br />
The di Behrang Senoi beh mgs to th<<br />
1: numbei f <strong>Malay</strong><br />
rhesi irectly frcm <strong>the</strong><br />
local Mi tys, Sumatrans From various districts, who are, comparative!<br />
n may have been introdm ed<br />
through contact with Mai Meluar <strong>of</strong><br />
The h<br />
those <strong>of</strong> <strong>Malay</strong>s and present no special features <strong>of</strong> inter -1<br />
Their blow-pip <strong>the</strong> Batang Padang type, with tin<br />
i; hollowed at