Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

346 CULTIVATION
the embers, and facing the rising sun, knocked the
blade out of the hatchet-helve, and suspended the
latter as described. Next he deposited the chopper
and hatchet-blade, and picking them up again and
crossing his hands in the smoke, described seven
successive circles in the smoke, calling aloud seven
times in succession as he did so.
He then repeated the following charm :
"O Spirits of every Hill-locked Basin, return ye
and seek the Spectral Huntsman. It is my desire to
open up this clearing. O ye Four (great) Magicians,
unto all Four of you I prefer my request. It is my
desire to open up this clearing. Grant me coolness
of body, and do me no harm nor scaith, but grant me
coolness and coldness within this body of mine."
The harm and scaith referred to included the risk
of being crushed by falling trees, of falls, and of
accidental wounds inflicted by the implements used by
the operator ; as well as the attacks of wild beasts,
and fever.
When the charm was completed the hatchet-head
was re-inserted in its helve and (along with the
chopper) returned to its owner. A first clearing was
then made, in the usual way, round the middle point
of a circle which was about twelve yards in diameter.
The chopper and hatchet were then turned seven
times round in the smoke in strict silence, after which
every one returned home. The owner of th^ tools
commenced his work on the following day. To the
foregoing should be added that the charm had to be
said for each of the tools separately.^
The burning ceremony took place as soon as the
felled timber was dry enough. Men, women, and
^ Vaughan-Stevens, ii. 147, 148.
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