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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tgi8. I. H. N. I.van. . Miscellanea.<br />
221<br />
<strong>the</strong> above, who had occasion to rebuke his u ife, in my In ai ii g,<br />
for breaking this tabu also).<br />
If <strong>the</strong> owner <strong>of</strong> a gun constantly uses it for shooting big<br />
game, lie should not keep, or place it, in a leaning position;<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rwise animals that he shoots, it mortally wounded, will<br />
not fall dead foi ome time. From <strong>the</strong> same <strong>Malay</strong> as <strong>the</strong><br />
a hove i.<br />
l'.l I \ KAMl'i ing.<br />
which is performed<br />
i remony i /.'...i tampong an annual<br />
by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Malay</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Endau —ami. 1 believe, in o<strong>the</strong>i parts <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> country as well- -in order to avert misfortune and disease.<br />
It is difficult to give a suitable translation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> name for<br />
<strong>the</strong>se rites, and <strong>the</strong> nearest approach that I can make is<br />
"cherishing <strong>the</strong> village." Thej are purely pagan ami. as such,<br />
are frowned upon by <strong>the</strong> more orthodox <strong>Malay</strong>s.<br />
While I was -topping in Kampong Pianggu on <strong>the</strong><br />
a bela kampong,<br />
Endau River m August <strong>of</strong> tin- yeai (1917),<br />
which was about to be held, was postponed owing to <strong>the</strong><br />
presence <strong>of</strong> three Dyaks, who were with me. These men<br />
were engaged in si ting birds and mammals and in collecting<br />
insects and botanical specimen-, such actions being tabu<br />
while <strong>the</strong> ceremony is in progress.<br />
The Dyaks having left me temporarily, 1 asked <strong>the</strong><br />
Pawang to perform <strong>the</strong> rites while I was in <strong>the</strong> village, and<br />
before my men should return from up-stream. This, however,<br />
appeared to be impossible, as he each day made -ome excuse<br />
— that <strong>the</strong>re was a wedding 011, or that someone had died and<br />
that it was tabu to hold <strong>the</strong> bela kampong in consequence. As<br />
I had already mad.- arrangements for leaving <strong>the</strong> Endau, I<br />
was unable to postpone my departure until <strong>the</strong> Pawang should<br />
fix upon an auspii ii ;i- da\ m \ ei 1 heli ss, by dint <strong>of</strong> qui stion-<br />
;<br />
ing him. and o<strong>the</strong>rs, I got some information which is. perhaps,<br />
worth placing on record.<br />
According to old custom while <strong>the</strong> bela kampong is being<br />
performed, <strong>the</strong> village is laid under a three days' tabu by <strong>the</strong><br />
Pawang, and during this period strangers must not enter it,<br />
nor may am- <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> inhabitants shoot animals, ga<strong>the</strong>r<br />
cocoanuts, sireh, or banana leaves; leave <strong>the</strong> village; dig <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
land; use abusive language; or make a loud noise (e.g. beat<br />
gongs as at a wedding).<br />
The day chosen for <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rites depends<br />
partly on <strong>the</strong> Pawang's dreams. Should he have fixed a day.<br />
he will put it <strong>of</strong>f if he. has an unlucky dream during <strong>the</strong> night<br />
before—that he is being chased by a tiger, for instance, 01<br />
that somebody is angry with him ; hut will hold it if his<br />
dreams are lucky (e.g. that he has been given many presents).<br />
When a village 1-; under t aim white rags are ted to cords at<br />
<strong>the</strong> bathing-places jamban), if <strong>the</strong> settlement is on <strong>the</strong> main