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

Chapter 265: [cxciv] Another Charm of similar Import

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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.

[cxciv] Another Charm of similar Import

Tawar

Apa-apa mestapa,34
Terlayang-layang, terlatok-latok,
Teranai-anai, sira-sanai,35
Dudok di sempang ampat,
Bersandar di pinang boring;
Datang kamu deri sempang ampat,
Kembali kamu ka sempang ampat;
Datang [kamu] deri bakal,36
Kembali kamu ka bakal kamu;
Datang kamu deri lubok tada berikan,
Kembali kamu ka lubok tada berikan.

The rest of the charm is of the same construction, the first line of each couplet beginning with datang kamu deri, and the second with kembali kamu ka; the other words are tunggul buta, tras terunjam,37 padang ta’ berumput, gaung guntong, rimba sa-kampong, sakat rambai, nibong alai, Mambang Kuning, hujan panas, kapialu Bajau, after which it ends thus:—

Kembali-lah kamu ka takok, ka tanggam lama!
Kalau ’kau tidak balik,
’Kau di-sumpah de’ Jin
ibnu-’l-Ujan.