[267] Kĕtong as a dry measure is not to be found in the dictionaries. V. d. Wall, however, gives a form kĕntong (with which it may be connected) as meaning an earthen pot, formerly used for holding lalang-sugar. [↑]
[268] An arai is an Achinese measure [= 2 chupak], about 3⅓ lbs. [↑]
[270] Denys, Descr. Dict. of Brit. Malaya, s.v. Gold. [↑]
[271] Vide Leyden, Malay Annals, p. 94. “He (the Sultan), also prohibited the ornamenting of creeses with gold, and the wearing anklets of gold, and the wearing the koronchong, or hollow bracelets of gold, ornamented with silver.”
Two legends, which connect the wild boar with the precious metals, have already been mentioned, vide p. 188, supra. [↑]
[272] Vide v. d. Wall, Malay-Dutch Dict., s.v. Kawi, one of the meanings of which he explains as the supernatural power of anything. He proceeds to explain bĕsi kawi as follows:—It is “a piece of old scrap-iron with supernatural powers, belonging to the royal insignia of the former Kingdom of Johor, now [then?] in the possession of the Sultan of Lingga. Whenever an oath was to be taken by a subject, the Iron would be immersed in water for a time, and the patient [sic] had to drink of this water before he took the oath. Whoever took a false oath would be affected by a severe sickness, and in the case of a Chief the sickness affects the whole tribe.”
Bisa kawi is another (West Sumatran) form of this expression. Under Bisa III., q.v., v. d. W. remarks that to say, “May you be struck by the Bisa Kawi” (lit. Poison of Kawi), is the ugliest wish you can address to anybody, as it is supposed to bring upon the person so addressed every possible kind of sickness. [↑]
[273] For examples vide the charms quoted in almost every part of this book. [↑]
[274] “It is a very general belief among Malays that Gulîga [and] Bûntat, viz. stones that are found in the bodies of animals or contained in trees, have great magic and vegetable virtue. These stones are worn as charms, and are also scraped, the scrapings being mixed with water and given to the sick as medicine.”—Pubns. of the R.A.S., S.B., No. 3, p. 26 n. [↑]