Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. IX SAKAI OF PERAK A79
In the upper panel are represented at Fig. i the
rice-stamper which the Sakai, like the Malays, use for
pounding rice out of the husk
—
[a) is the rice-mortar,
[b) the trestles supporting the rice-stamper, (c) and (d)
the stamper as it falls into the mortar, and [c) the
extremity of the stamper.
Fig. 2 portrays a tortoise ; Fig. 3 a frog.
Fig. 4 is the sieve used for winnowing the rice
when pounded.
Fig. 5 represents a mouse ; Fig. 6 a squirrel
recognisable by its bushy tail.
The entire design is a rain-charm, the effect of
the rain being symbolised by a tortoise and frog,
which enter the rice-field, the mice and squirrels which
come after the rice (when it is already gathered in)
being expelled thereby.
Fig. 10.—Original drawing of a " tuang-tuang." ^
The seven long stripes, where the outer cuticle
of the bamboo has been peeled off, represent the
seven bamboos already mentioned.' The figures at
A stand for a house-floor (an abbreviated symbol or
emblem standing for the whole house.) The dots at
the bottom represent the hearth.
At B are shown the bristles of a wild pig, which
are introduced as symbolising game that has been slain
and brought home. At D is the pig's carcase. At C
are the ants which devour its flesh ; and
—
at E the nest
in which they live.
The general design is intended to keep the ants
at a distance, and the bamboo that bears it is very
often given into the charge of one of the children,
who proceeds to strike it upon the house - floor
whenever there is boar- flesh about, if ants are seen
* Z. f. E. xxvi. 177. - Cf. Vaughan-Stevens, iii. 129.