New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-22
THE SORCERER OF TIE NINE"
From The Pail Mall Gazette.


Miners in all countries have been noted for their
superstitious beliefs as 70 various matters affecting
their good or III luck Soothsayers sorcerers or at
cure the satisfactory results which are nowadays
reasonably hoped for On the rspor Of the
belief in the occult powers OF the medicine man
peninsula, which contains the most important tin
workings yet known to exist Inc inaiv,duai VINO
Until the practical termination Of independent
was a recognized member Of every mining staff-
the petty chiefs. who alternately encouraged or OBJ
structed mining enterprise ,,
poets OF mine. levy fines (which went into his
own pocket direct the Offering up Of animal saeri;
a mine which. but for him. would have been simply
tricts his J pr.tensons are now discredted he still
fingers on. superstition with the existing genera
The pawang may or may not be the hereditary
sef-made and attains his position by a few lucky
forecasts as to the value OF projected mine In a
up the highway YOU are sure to find tin" the SUI
GIFTED prospeotor has Serab g easy
sunk But moderate aeSunlntanSe with the u usual
means do not often trouble a pawang In the initia-
tory stages. But when the mine-"stream tin." or
Earth "a" ham and sraves fairly started the pawans
gests that he alone knows how TO Keep good luck
Services sk" are not wanted and he leaves in WRATH
predicting all sorts OF disaster TO the unbe!leving
towkay or manager. Upon the whole, however, he
manages to get his way.
A nne physical appearance is Indispensable. When
engaged in any duty such as invoking spirits or
one OF two positions. with his hands resting his
hips or with them clasped behind his back. He
alone Is allowed to wear black coat in the mine:
As in the case Of camphor hunters In Formosa and
gutta- percha hunters In Malaga, he uses peculiar
vocabulary Thus cats elephants tigers buaaloes.
etc. must not be mentioned by their usual designa-
TONS nor are such animals Cgers unfortunately
sometimes prove unpleasant exceptions) ever al
tss pa% %p INDEX eNp"rsatorius is the Ell lime a.,
fruit or lemon. which under no circumstances may
thrown into The mine water. dire results are
dreaded. Raw cotton glass and earthenware. or
all the articles mentioned being offensive to the
hantu or spirits which haunt the mine.
owner at fee varying from ii; to Co. his rs; bnsi.
to srss' % The or a r q
four and a kaf feet from the ground to where the
twigs begin. The leaves on the latter are not re-
inches each way Of peeled sticks IL fixed to these
supports at about three feet from the ground. a
the platform. while rallied ladder with four rungs
reaches from the open side Of the platform to the
ground Fringes of cocoanut ornament the railing.
and the whole construction is bound together with
creepers-rattan; however. being forbidden. Upon IL
or tuteiary spirit OF the mine to bless it with good
Sa Of or tin ,s ssnd ssrSSe the ss
cheaper kind of altar Is made by placing in the
ground single peeled stick with its upper end
split in four; upon which is placed the little plat
an ancha square frame about eighteen inches
each way in the smetinghouse just under the
upon which the miners place their offerings TO the
hantu. The accurate hanging up OF the ancha 10
These preiiminaries accomplished. the mine =
considered sure OF luck.