Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

484 DECORA riVE ART p a rt 1
see the roof-timbers, which serve here as a substitute
for the ladder by which the ridge of the gable is
reached.
c. The figure at c (representing the roof-frame ?)
is in contact with the roof (J?) ; the lower half repre-
sents the thatch-work (" atap ") of " bertam "-leaves.
d. Two rattans (cane -creepers) intertwined (to-
gether with their leaves) are seen at d (cf. Fig. 13).
e. At e we have rude steps which are ascended by
the worker when he wishes to detach the rattans from
the summits of the trees.
f. Joined to the thatch at f
are small figures
symbolising the freshly cut leaf and the slat of thatch
made out of it.
g. The figure at g represents a long zigzag path,
the windings of which denote the obstacles round
which the cut " ataps " have to be carried in the
jungle before they can be brought to their destination.
The complete design is a charm to assist the
builder of a house in finding and using the materials
he requires.
Fig. 13.—The tradition explaining the origin
of this pattern is now, alas !
no
longer current, and
for each of the figures two different versions were
given. This bamboo had descended from father to
son for three generations, and was universally recognised
as a charm - pattern intended to drive away
demons seeking shelter on cold nights in the warm
upper story or loft in the roof. The various figures
of the pattern were still universally recognised—
with the exception of some about which nothing
certain was known, and which were only retained in
accordance with ancient custom. All that could be
remembered with regard to the tradition of this
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