[178] It is almost impossible to translate nursery rhymes satisfactorily, and the versions here given must be regarded as tentative and necessarily imperfect. [↑]
[179] Vide supra, p. 484, note. [↑]
[180] Literally, “Brothers and Sisters and Chiefs”; this refers to the Spirits who inhabit the villages, and not to the Humans. [↑]
[181] The term used is Penjak pengantin, which means musicians and bridegroom. The former term includes all people belonging to the Ma’iong who make a noise. The latter term means a man whose wedding is being celebrated, but in this connection it is applied to the Pa’iong or jeune premier. [↑]
[182] These names are given by the Ma’iong people to the two big gongs used by them (tetâwak or tâwak-tâwak). Gĕmûroh is formed from gûroh (= thunder), in exactly the same way as kĕmûning, the yellow wood used for the cross-pieces of kris scabbards, is formed from kûning (= yellow). Dĕngong is the word used to describe the noise made by a gong, by the wind, or any other sonorous sound. [↑]
[183] The phrase in the original is Halûan sûsun. The former word means the bows of a boat, the latter is applied to things fitted together, as sirih leaves are fitted when one leaf is laid on the top of another. The use of this phrase is very curious, and I believe it to convey the sense which I have rendered. I have never heard the phrase in any other connection, nor have I met with it except in this incantation. [Should not the correct reading be halun (= alun) susun, which is a fairly common Malay phrase used of the waves “crowding” one upon another on a stormy day?—W.S.] [↑]
[184] Chinta-mâni, the name of a very short snake of a golden yellow colour, the presence of which is regarded as a lucky omen. [↑]
[185] Awang is a very common male proper name among the natives of Kelantan, and in addressing any man whose name is not known it is always used, much as Kûlop is employed among the natives of Perak. [↑]
[186] Malays believe Spirits to be extremely sensitive as regards their origin and their habits, and any knowledge possessed by a human being on these subjects renders the spirit harmless. [The same idea has been noticed supra with reference to animals, etc.] [↑]
[187] The least sensitive spirit in the world might not unreasonably dislike so many personal remarks of such a frankly unflattering nature. [↑]