Another form of “propitiation” (buang-buangan limas) ceremony consists in loading a limas with the offerings. The limas is a receptacle of about a span (sa-jĕngkal) in length, made of banana-leaf folded together at the ends and skewered with a bamboo pin. Inside it are deposited the offerings, which consist of the following articles: a chupak (half cocoa-nutful) of “parched” rice, a set of three, five, or seven bananas, a “pinch” (sa-jĕmput) of “saffron” rice, a pinch of “washed” rice, a native cigarette (rokok), an egg, a wax taper, two “chews” of betel-leaf, and a betel-leaf twisted up into the shape of a spiral (pantat siput). One (at least) of the two “chews” of betel must be specially prepared, as it is to be left behind for the spirits to chew, whilst the other is taken back into the presence of the sick man, where the medicine-man chews it and ejects the chewed leaf (di-sĕmbor) upon the “small” of the sick man’s back. In the case of the “chew” which is left behind for the spirits, the ordinary portion of betel-nut must be replaced by nutmeg, the gambier by mace, and the lime by “oil of Celebes” (minyak Bugis).
When the ceremony of loading the limas is complete, it is carried down to the nearest river or sea, and there set adrift with the following words:—
“Peace be with you, Khailir (Khizr), Prophet of God and Lord of water,
Maduraya is the name of your sire,
Madaruti the name of your mother,
Si Kĕkas the name of their child;
Accept this present from your younger brother, Si Kĕkas,
Cause him no sickness or headache.
Here is his, your younger brother’s, present.”
Here the limas is set adrift, and the water underneath it scooped up and carried home, where it is used for bathing the sick man.