Note 191 — Chapter VI · Magic Rites as affecting the Life of Man (continued 3)

The distribution of the rice being completed, he took four “chews” of betel and handed one to each of the two drummers (juru-gĕndang); the third he threw on to the top of the ceiling-cloth (or roof in the case of a shed, bumbong bangsal), and the fourth he buried underneath the bottom mat.191 With his head still shrouded he now placed the tip of his right thumb within the metal ring, in the very centre of the cross, called the Heart of the Earth (pusat bumi or hati tanah), and pressing downwards with it, worked it round to the left and back again repeatedly whilst he recited the necessary charm. After this he leaned in turn on the upper end of each of the drums, which he inclined over the brazier and “charmed,” concluding in each case with three loud taps on the drum which he was “charming,” each tap being accompanied by similar taps on the other two drums. Finally, the Pawang put the flageolet (sĕrunei) to his lips, and the other instruments accompanied him in the performance of the tune called taboh.192