Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. XI SAVAGE MALAYS OF JOHOR 563
criminal in their eyes, thieves, pilferers, and liars.
Some of them made the sensible remark that the
numerous " sembahyangs," or prayers of the Malays,
could not be of any use to them so long as they re-
mained addicted to so many vices ; but
they took
great care before thus expressing themselves to look
about, for they knew that if any Malay should chance
to overhear them, they would not remain long un-
injured. But the Jakun not only hates and abhors
the Malays, he fears them as well ; and what makes
his position yet more irksome, is the necessity he is
under of being obliged to trade with them. The
" dammar " and other products he finds in the forest
cannot be disposed of except through the medium
of Malays, and this establishes a daily intercourse
between them. But what is really surprising is that
in these communications they always remain on good
terms, and that although the Jakun is rude and wild,
he yet knows how to give the Malay dc fcaic benite
de cour, and habitually keep great harmony and peace
in his relations with them. But if the Jakun hates
and fears the Malays, the Malays in return both
despise and fear extremely the Jakun. The Malays
consider the Jakun as infidels (" kafir"), and therefore
despicable, and as being in a rank only a little higher
than animals ;
but
on the other hand the Malays
themselves are superstitious in the extreme. ¥or
Malays, everything they do not understand is a
mystery ;
everything
not common must be endowed
transmitted regularly from Singapore. taught them the value, but which was
But this is merely by the way, an not originally in their list of articles
illustration of personal characteristics of food ; tlicy have gone so far as to culwhich
do not end with the Jakun. tivate it for the last thirty years when
The Jakun cannot now get on with- allowed the needful leisure.—Ilervey
out rice, of which the Malays have in /. A'. .•/. 6'., No. S, pp. 120-122.