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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 190: [cxxii] [p. 279.
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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.

[cxxii] [p. 279.

Invocation to the Water Spirit, used at the insertion of the Twigs in the Masthead

Al-salam ʿaleikum

Hei Ayer Si Hantu Ayer,

Anak bernama Laskar Allah,

Bersahabat baik dengan Mambang Tali Harus,

Jangan ’kau imbang-imbang prahu aku ini.

Jangan ’kau hampir-hampir

Kembali-lah kapada tempat-’kau,

Kapada uri tembuni Nabi Allah Musa:

Kalau kau ta’ berbalik

Derhaka ’kau kapada Allah, d.s.b.