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

Chapter 263: [cxcii] Charm for neutralising the Venom of Snakes, Centipedes, and Scorpions

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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.

[cxcii] Charm for neutralising the Venom of Snakes, Centipedes, and Scorpions

To bring the poison out (naikkan), rub the place upwards (urut ka-atas); to cause it to subside (turunkan), rub it downwards (urut ka-bawah). In the first case say:—

“However venomous the snake which is within ourselves,

Yet more venomous be the snake which comes (to meet it).”

In the second case—

“However venomous the snake which comes (to meet it),

Yet more venomous be the snake which is within ourselves.”

and (in either case) mutatis mutandis for centipedes and scorpions.

It was explained that the “snake which is within ourselves” (ular dalam diri kita) means the muscle of the shoulder-blade (urat belikat), and that similarly “the centipede which is within ourselves” is the neckbone (tulang batang leher), and “the scorpion which is within ourselves” the loins (ujong salbi).