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
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202 <strong>Journal</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> F.M.S. Museums. [Vol. VII,<br />
made from lour small pieces oi board intersecting at rightangles<br />
so as to enclo a square, and having <strong>the</strong>n ends<br />
projecting ;. two types <strong>of</strong> head-dress {chunghiie bulang and<br />
chengkul lepang) made <strong>of</strong> haves; two Halak's switches, one<br />
mad'-' <strong>of</strong> lebak-lezves (s'lak selebok), <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> leaves <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
he-it. mi s'lak bertop) : and hands <strong>of</strong> tree-bark {tempok luat) with<br />
rough patterns drawn on <strong>the</strong>m in yellow or black.<br />
The Halak's balai (a circular frame <strong>of</strong> rattans with a thick<br />
fringe <strong>of</strong> finely shredded leaves depending from it), within<br />
which he chants his spells, was also hung from one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
beams <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> " medicine "-house. This balai was in all essentials<br />
similar to that which I have already described and figured<br />
in a former paper on <strong>the</strong> Sakai <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ulu Sungkai. 1<br />
-<br />
Katil told me that among his people <strong>the</strong> Halaks performed<br />
by torch-light, while <strong>the</strong> Slim Valley Senoi held <strong>the</strong>ir performances<br />
in total darkness.<br />
He also said that <strong>the</strong> seances, which had taken place<br />
before our arrival, had been kept up for six consecutive nights,<br />
and that ceremonial bathing from <strong>the</strong> decorated water-bamboos<br />
(kenas) took place after <strong>the</strong> performances were finished, and<br />
shortly before daylight.<br />
With regard to Sakai beliefs that Halaks become tigers,<br />
Katil told me that a Halak's ghost rose, usually on <strong>the</strong> fourteenth<br />
day after burial, and assumed that shape.<br />
Burial and Existence after Dkath.<br />
While living with <strong>the</strong> Senoi I had an opportunity <strong>of</strong><br />
inspecting several graves, which were situated in <strong>the</strong> jungle<br />
at a little distance from <strong>the</strong> settlement, and at <strong>the</strong> base <strong>of</strong> a<br />
hill. None <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se, winch were close toge<strong>the</strong>r, were very<br />
recent— <strong>the</strong> newest was, I believe, at least a couple <strong>of</strong> years<br />
old, probably more. Their sites were marked by narrow<br />
mounds, about as long as <strong>the</strong> bodies <strong>of</strong> those buried below.<br />
In two cases <strong>the</strong>se mounds had undressed upright stones<br />
set up at <strong>the</strong> head and foot <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>nu, one being covered,<br />
in addition, with water-worn stones from <strong>the</strong> river. Ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
grave had small Sungkai-irees planted round it, while in a<br />
fourth <strong>the</strong> mound had partly fallen into <strong>the</strong> burial-chamber<br />
below. Katil told me that slight huts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lean-to type are<br />
erected over new graves, and that articles, such as adzes and<br />
blow-pipes, which must be ei<strong>the</strong>r bent or broken, are placed<br />
within <strong>the</strong> hut. No remains <strong>of</strong> huts or <strong>of</strong>ferings were, however,<br />
to be seen on <strong>the</strong> graves that he showed me, and he<br />
explained that <strong>the</strong>y had rotted away.<br />
i "<strong>Journal</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> F.M.S. Museums,'" vol VI, p. 98 & pi xxviii<br />
= I have noted in <strong>the</strong> paper referred to above that <strong>the</strong> Sungkai people covered<br />
up a lamp that I took with me into th, hut in which th<br />
to perform<br />
Prob a t> I \ 01