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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204 <strong>Journal</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> F.M.S. Museums. [Vol, VII,<br />
arc occupied by spirits who look like human beings. The<br />
kemoit (ghosts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dead) live in <strong>the</strong> region above while, like<br />
men, some are blind and some are lame. Possibly <strong>the</strong>y may<br />
also be thought to inhabit <strong>the</strong> underworld, but I omitted to<br />
make enquiry with regard to this point. The mat papal tujoh<br />
are said to be btket (hot) and <strong>the</strong>refore die : <strong>the</strong> mat papal a?iam<br />
are senam (cold) and do not die.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r story makes <strong>the</strong> souls <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dead go to <strong>the</strong> Island<br />
<strong>of</strong> Fruits (Pulau Bah) where <strong>the</strong> dttrian and o<strong>the</strong>r fruit-trees<br />
are in bearing all <strong>the</strong> year round, and where men. when <strong>the</strong>y<br />
are old, again become children, and again grow up. I am, however,<br />
ra<strong>the</strong>r inclined to think that this legend mav have been<br />
borrowed from tribes fur<strong>the</strong>r to <strong>the</strong> south.<br />
The Behrang Sakai believe in grave-ghosts, Dana Rubor<br />
(equivalent to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Malay</strong> Bantu Rubor) besides <strong>the</strong> Kemoit.<br />
It used to be customary to desert a settlement when a<br />
death occurred, but Katil told me that this is now not usual.<br />
The reason given for <strong>the</strong> desertion was that <strong>the</strong> survivors<br />
thought, since one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir relations had died <strong>the</strong>re, that <strong>the</strong><br />
locality must be haunted by spirits. Katil made it plain that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y were not frightened <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ghost <strong>of</strong> a friend, but <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
evil spirits which had attacked him (or her) and caused his<br />
last illness.<br />
A curious little story having some reference to death is<br />
given below. It was told me by Katil.<br />
"When anyone dies, <strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong> settlements distant from<br />
<strong>the</strong> place sometimes get to know <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> death in this way.<br />
Two spirits, which are known as Baleh Busud (Virgins <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> " Ant "-hill) and look like little girls, sit on a "male" 1<br />
nest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> termite. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m is heard to laugh as she rolls<br />
<strong>the</strong> dead man's skull down to <strong>the</strong> mound, and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r savs to<br />
her, " Leuk jik,jangan chikak" ("Don't "colic" my food!").<br />
Folk-Tales.<br />
The Behrang Sakai have a large number <strong>of</strong> folk-stories,<br />
<strong>of</strong> which I obtained several. Two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se I give below. I<br />
have chosen those which seemed to me most likelv to be trulv<br />
indigenous, and not borrowed from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Malay</strong>s.<br />
Folk-stones, Katil informed me, should be told at night,<br />
as this brings good luck in hunting animals in <strong>the</strong> jungle. A<br />
man who told folk-stories during <strong>the</strong> day-time would, he said,<br />
hurt his foot against.a stump. I ga<strong>the</strong>red, however, that this<br />
latter was a popular saving ra<strong>the</strong>r than a strong belief. It<br />
may be remarked that it is always <strong>the</strong> voungest-born son<br />
(Bonsu) who is <strong>the</strong> clever man in <strong>the</strong>se Seiini tales.<br />
The " male" nests are those which are Ions and pointed.