Malay Magic / Being an introduction to the folklore and popular religion of the Malay Peninsula

Chapter 139: [lxxi] On entering the Jungle to set the Snare

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About This Book

A compilation of Malay Peninsula folklore, popular religion, and magical practices drawn from manuscripts, published sources, and the author's field notes, presenting creation myths, supernatural beings, charms, incantations, ritual practices, and folk explanations for illness and misfortune. The text emphasizes literal translations of spells and formulæ with originals in an appendix, confines attention to Malay communities of the peninsula, and compares recurring motifs while avoiding non-Malay populations. Methodological notes explain evidence and limits. The volume serves as an introductory survey that organizes material thematically—cosmology, spirit lore, protective and harmful magic, divination, and ritual observances—without claiming exhaustive treatment.

[lxxi] On entering the Jungle to set the Snare

Masok ka dalam hutan, bawa jaring sudah jumpa kĕsan rusa pohunkan satu poko’ dengan chakap bagini:—

“Al-salam ʿaleikum, Nabi Allah
’Tap,
Yang memegang bumi, d.s.b.
Aku pohun ini kayu
’Nak tambat jaring.”

Kemdian mulai buka jaring serta berkata:—

“Si Gombak nama-nya rotan

Si Chinchin nama-nya jaring.”

Sudah itu, buka-lah jaring, sa-habis-habis, dan bagikan dua jaring itu, sudah bagi dua, masok pegang kajar jaring serta kata-nya:—

“O Mentala Guru,
Dengan Guru uru-uru,85
Si Mambang Kuning!
Mambang Kuning tahu
Akan salah-sileh-nya.
Jaring kita, jaring berdua,
Jaring jangan di-bri magan!
Kalau magan di-tapakan,86
Jaring kita bunohkan juga!
Kalau magan di anjing,
Jaring kita bunohkan juga!
Kalau magan di orang
Jaring kita bunohkan juga!
Dengan berkat, d.s.b.”