# Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society/Volume 42/Hunting Invocations
## Hunting Invocations.

By R. N. BLAND.
In the October "Blackwood" there is an article by George Maxwell on the subject of a Malay deer-hunt in Perak. I think he has given some excellent translations of the "Elmu Pawang" as applied to the rusa or sambur deer, and written a most inter- esting account of the way in which the Pawang sets to work. It may interest him and others to see an invocation I got from a Pawang in the Negri Sembilan (Kuala Pilah) years ago. My "Elmu Pawang" is not nearly so ornate as George Maxwell's, but no doubt every village and district has its own ritual in these matters. There is a family likeness, however, in all of them. The Pawang who is an educated man from the Malay point of view, will produce a much more elaborate "elmu" than the Pa- wang of a jungle village. It is interesting to compare notes in these matters and therefore I send you this "elmu" for the S. B. R. A. S.—but I feel as if I were betraying a secret in doing so. These matters are highly confidential. My Pawang only admitted me to his "craft" under promise of secrecy and in pay- ment of the customary fees in cloth, knife, coconuts, and "wang bharu", and after following the deer on foot for many days through the Muar jungles.
Elmu Pawang Buru Rusa.
(Negri Sembilan.)
Hei Che' Lanang, Che' Redup, Che' Bendang, Che' Merah, Mari-lah kita berburu Dalam kandang bhagian engkau Luar kandang bhagian aku Apa main kita jangan di-rosakkan
Aku tahu jahat-nya Aku tahu baik-nya Jahat pulang pada engkau Baik pulang pada aku Salah sa'ekor srigala Che' Langsat Che' raia ini ia-lah melengkah bumi Yang lari Che' Runsing Kaki yang mengijar Che' Rimbun Ekor melampat patah kaki Menyenup patah pinggang Menyelodok badan kau lampoh Bukan-nya aku yang berburu Perpatih yang berburu Bukan nya aku yang punya anjing Pa sidi yang punya anjing Bukan-nya aku yang berkuei Nenek Batin Telang yang berkuci Jangan engkau mungkirkan janji Jikalau ongkau mungkirkan janji Drahka engkau pada Allah. Hei Che' Lanang Che' Redup Che' Bendang Che' Merah Ambil bhagian engkau Yang terbawa bhagian aku Yang tinggal bhagian angkau.
Badi.
Hei Badi aku tahu asal engkau Jadi deri-pada Chaga Beranjak engkau deri sini Pulang engkau ka asal jadi Kropek nama-nya manchong Kiamang namanya kiak Che' Lanang orang gobala Tergak Dato' nibong salah Mari-lah kita membalakan anjing Bunohkan juga anjing aku Sa'ekor sa hari bunokkan juga Anjing aku.
Translation.
Ye (forest spirits that guard the red-deer) Che' Lanang—the Twister Che' Redup—the Dim One. Che' Rendang (the open plain) Che' Merah—the Red One I summon you to hunt with me What comes from the enclosed fields is your share What comes from the outer forest shall be mine Let nothing spoil our hunting I know what to avoid I know what to follow May all the bad luck be your share May all the good luck fall to me.
Whether it be Srigala or Che' Langsat Or the King of the Deer himself Yea, he who crosses the world at one leap Or Che' Runsing who flashes hither and thither May each one that leaps forth fall with broken legs May each glider be broken across the back May each one crushing through the bushes have broken bones It is not I who destroys you It is the Lord Perpatih who hunts your The dogs are not my dogs They are the dogs of Pa' Sidi It is not I who shouts on the dogs It is the shout of Nenek Batin Pelang Fail ye not in your compact If ye fail in your compact ye are rebellious against Allah. O Che' Langsat—the Twister Che' Redup—the Dim One Che' Bendang—the "open plain" Che' Merah—the Red One Take what is yours That which is carried away is mine That which remains is yours.
Badi—Invocation.
O Badi I know whence thou comest Thou comest from Chaga Get thee from hence Get thee to the place whence thou comest Che' Lanang the herdsman Remember the elder of the magic nibong Come hither and make atonement for our dogs Shouldst thou wish to slay my dogs Slay them, yes, one every day.