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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222 <strong>Journal</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> F.M.S. Museums. [Vol. VII,<br />
river ; but, if it is on a small side-stream, a cord, from which<br />
rags are suspended, is frequently stretched from bank to bank.<br />
Nowadays only a one day's bela kampong is allowed at<br />
Pianggu and <strong>the</strong> prohibitions with regard to persons arriving<br />
at, or leaving, <strong>the</strong> village are no longer in force.<br />
It appears that bela kampong on <strong>the</strong> Endau is performed<br />
ra<strong>the</strong>r with a view to keeping <strong>the</strong> local spirits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> soil in a<br />
good temper, and gaining <strong>the</strong>ir aid against invading evil, than<br />
with a view to banishing troublesome and evilly disposed<br />
supernatural beings, a not uncommon practice in many parts<br />
nf <strong>the</strong> <strong>Malay</strong>an region, and one which is resorted to on <strong>the</strong><br />
Endau if epidemic disease appears, when <strong>the</strong> villages are<br />
placed under a seven days' tabu, and spirit-ships launched.<br />
These are supposed to carry away <strong>the</strong> haittu (spirits) which<br />
are causing <strong>the</strong> trouble.<br />
I mentioned <strong>the</strong> custom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> yearly purification <strong>of</strong><br />
villages by means <strong>of</strong> spirit-boats to <strong>the</strong> Pawang <strong>of</strong> Pianggu<br />
and he said, "Lain pawang. lain adat" (o<strong>the</strong>r Pawangs, o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
customs).<br />
I obtained very few details with regard to <strong>the</strong> ceremony<br />
proper, but it appears that <strong>the</strong> Pawang makes a round <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
village, collecting small <strong>of</strong>ferings <strong>of</strong> food from each householder,<br />
and that towards evening on <strong>the</strong> third day he places,<br />
or hangs, <strong>the</strong>se in <strong>the</strong> jungle, asking <strong>the</strong> spirits to accept <strong>the</strong><br />
presents made to <strong>the</strong>m, and to protect <strong>the</strong> village throughout<br />
<strong>the</strong> ensuing year.