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

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

Chapter 152: [lxxxiv] Charm to prevent Wild Boars from damaging Crops [p. 188.
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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.

[lxxxiv] Charm to prevent Wild Boars from damaging Crops [p. 188.

Ah Semawi96 nama-nya babi!

Ka laut jadi lomba-lomba,

Ka darat jadi babi sungko’97 nama-nya,

Bata bawah sakat bengkarong;98

Jangan ’kau rosak binasakan sawah ladang ’ku!

Jikalau ’kau rosakkan,

’Kau mati mampe’,99 mati mawei,

Mati pangkalan darah mati pangkalan tulang

Mati pangkalan bulu!

Jikalau tidak ’kau rosa’i

’Kau kembang beribu, kembang belaksa,

Kembang sayap100 rimba blukar!

Bekua’ ’kau ka rimba jauh!

Aku [tahu] asal ’kau jadi:

Lampin anak Fatimah asal mula ’kau jadi.

This charm, which was copied from a book in the possession of ’Che Daud of Naning, Malacca, is evidently corrupt in places.