(d) Fire
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Skeat, Walter William
Source notes
320 This was one of the tide-braces which are used to strengthen the stakes, the one used being that on the left hand looking seaward. ↑
321Kelong is the name given to one of the kinds of fishing-stakes (something like weirs) common on the coasts of the Peninsula. ↑
322 A different Pawang gave me the following (alternative) instructions:—“When you are about to plant the (first) seaward pole of the fishing-stakes, take hold of it and say:—
‘O Pawang Kisa, Pawang Bĕrima, Si Arjuna, King at Sea,
O Durai, Si Biti is the name of your mother, Si Tanjong (Sir Cape) that of your father!
In your charge are the points of the capes, in your charge all borders of the shore,
In your charge, too, are the river bars!
Your mother’s place is on the seaward pole, your child’s at the shoreward end of the screens,
Your father’s in the tip of the “wings” towards the west.
We be four brothers;
If in truth we be brothers,
Do you lend me your assistance.’
“Here plant the pole, and say:—
‘My foot is planted in the very heavens,
My pole rests against the pillar of the firmament.
God lets it down, Muhammad receives it.
Six fathoms to the left, six fathoms to the right,
Do you, O family of three, assist in my maintenance.
May this be granted by God,’” etc.
↑
323Jĕrmal is another kind of fish-trap, different from the kelong. ↑
324 Denys, Descr. Dict. of Brit. Mal., s.v. Fire. ↑
325
P’landok minta’ api,
’Nak mĕmbakar bulu mĕntua-nya.
↑
326 The Mouse-deer is said to have cursed his mother-in-law, saying:—”Kalau bĕtul aku pĕmainan Raja Suleiman angkau bĕrsayap.” ↑
327 Illumination with tiny lamps is also common on feast-days (hari raya), especially at the end of the Month of Fasting; and the Malays have to some extent adopted the Chinese penchant for fireworks. ↑