[7] i.e. sa-habis-habis burok. [↑]
[8] Apparently a demi-god, descended (according to one account) from Batara Guru. [↑]
[9] In the case of a Raja’s child as much as ten (silver) dollars should be used, but for poor people even one cent will do. [↑]
[10] Cp. Report of Dutch Expedition to Mid-Sumatra, vol. i. p. 266. [↑]
[11] Or a small wallet (bujam), such as is often used by Malays to hold their supply of tobacco and betel. [↑]
[12] In the case of a boy, a piece of paper and a sugar-palm twig (such as the Malays use for writing with) may be added to the other objects. [↑]
[16] The Filer of Teeth explained that the file being of iron, and hence emblematic of earth, the bowl of water in which the file was to be dipped emblematic of water in general, and the limes emblematic of the vegetable creation, it was necessary to invoke the three “Prophets” who are supposed to be in charge of those departments of creation. The explanation, however, is not a satisfactory one, and it is more probable that these lines have taken the place of an older invocation now forgotten. Their Arabic character in itself is almost conclusive on this point. [↑]