Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

CHAP, vu SAKAI OF PERAK 347
children gathered together at mid-day in an open
space on the sheltered side of the clearing. Here the
censer was set up, and its smoke used to fumigate a
half coconut-shell filled with coconut-oil. Before the
latter was poured into the shell two or three polishing
leaves (of the " akar simplas ") were put into it. The
oil was called " minyak b'rangsang." ^
The magician next turned his face towards the
east, lifted the shell full of oil to his lips and repeated
this charm :
—
" O Lightning, in Heaven and on Earth, I desire
to give scope to the rage of Fire. I desire to burn oft'
this clearing. I desire to summon the Four (great)
Magicians. I desire to summon the winds from their
seven coigns, the seven winds of equal rank, and to
summon the whirlwind." -
After this charm was spoken each took up his tree-
bark torch from the heap in which they had been
deposited and dipped the end of it into the oil in the
shell (which the magician had replaced on the ground).
The women and children did likewise. Each
individual then handed his torch to the magician, who
alone might kindle it (by means of the embers in the
censer). The company then hastened off in various
directions, and each of them kindled the fallen timber
in as many places as possible. This charm was con-
cluded at noon, as that was the nour by which the
leaves and twigs would all be well dried by the hot
sun.'^
After this " burning " ceremony came that for
planting the rice. When the grountl had been
cleared by the burning of all but the larger trunks it
was ready, after the first showers of the wet season,
* Vaughan-Stevens, ii. 148. * lb. pp. 148, 149. ' 73