Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

448 DECORATIVE ART part ii
This list might no doubt be considerably increased
if parts of the various expressions were compared.
In the complete absence, however, of Semang texts
(and hence of any knowledge of their grammar) this
partial agreement would not at present count for much.
It may, however, be concluded from the above list
that the names of the quivers, charm-tubes, blowpipes,
and combs must be taken in close relationship with
those of the first and second panels, so that the flowersymbolism
of these patterns appears all the more
mysterious and obscure.
MYTH-BAMBOOS AND OTHERS.^
[The "gu' " is a bamboo tube w^hich is described as
having served originally for preserving records of every
description, and as having been in the first instance
known only to the Puttos. The entire mythology
(and history ?) of the Semang is said to have been
engraved upon them, and some of these remarkable
records yet remain in the possession of the descendants
of the ancient Sna-huts. These same bamboo tubes
served, apart from their mythological significance, to
contain the magical and medicinal implements of the
Puttos, and were accordingly plugged at the orifice
with wood or bark-fibre. The four myth-bamboos
here described come from the E. Semang or Pangan
on the east coast of the Peninsula."]
' The word "gu"' is undoubtedly hoot," " k'ngoin," "lee -eg," " aiee,"
identical with the word "go'" (in " ken-achole," " pinjor tadook,"
some dialects "gu'") which we have " Kiee," "Play," "Chinnoi," " kehad
already, and merely signifies, as nigh," "kelos," "seni," " kabote,"
explained above, a bamboo receptacle. "jug," "Chilleg," "Jelabor," "Cham-
The names which here occur were spelt par," " Challog,"' " Semi," " sin-goieby
Vaughan-Stevens as follows : "(iuh" bewar," etc.
(pronounced "goo"), "Puttow," "Sna- ^ Vaughan-Stevens, iii. 104.