The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1894-01-20
THE soRcERER OF THE MINE.
Superstitions which Yet Prevail on the
Malay RRnRAAula.

Malay Peninsula.
Miners in all countries have been
noted for their superstitious beliefs as
to various ma tiers affecting their good
or ill luck. Sootllsayers, sorcerers, or
at least lode finders. were in past ages
trusted to secure the satisfactory re.
suits which are nowadays more rea-
sonably hoped for on the result of the
mining expert and engineer. The
latest survival of belief in the occult
powers of the ''medicinc man. or
sorcerer. is probably to be found in the
Malay peninsula. which contains the
most importa mt tin workings Yet known
to exist. The individual who thus
guides his employers to fortune--or he
reverse-iS known pawang.
Until the practical termination of
Independent Malay rule throughout
the ma jor portion of the peninsula,
n bout nineteen years ago. the p;ivang
was a recognized mem Der of every min
ing sta ff-and recognized not only by
mine owners but by the petty. chiefs,
who alternately encouraged or Oh
structed mining enterprise.
So potent was he that he could fore
tell the prospects of a mine, levy fines
(Which went into his own pocl<et, di-
rect the offering up of animal sacri-
fees. and enforce rules respecting the
workings of 4 mine which, but for him,
would have been simply ridiculed by
tricts his pretensions are now discred-
tied, he still fingers on, superstition
with the existing generation of min
ers having yet a firm hold in the more
remote districts.
The pawang may or may not DC the
hereditary successor of Il predecessor.
In some cases he is self-made. and at
tains his position by a few lucky fore
casts to the value of a projected
mine. In territory where, is some
times said. IF you dig up the high
way you are sure to find tim. the SUI
pernaturaNy gifted prospector has a
tolera bly, easy task. Not that tim is
always found when hole is sunk.
But moderate acquaintance with the
usual Indications is quite sufficient.
Chinese of limited means do not often
trouble Il pawang in the initiatory
stages. But when the mine-''strcam
tin or tin sand. with an ovcrburdcn
of ten or twenty feet of earth and
gravel-is fairly started the pawang
suggests that he alone knows how to
keep good luck in sight. Sometimes
he is politely Informed that his services
are not wanted, and he leaves in
wrath. predicting all sorts of disaster
to the unbelieving to,vl>ay OF manager.
Upon the whole, however, he manages
to get his way.
a fine physical appearance is indis-
such as invoking spirits offering sac
ritices. he is allowed to assume only
ono of two positions. with his hands
resting on 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 c;mphor hunt
ers in F'ormos;l and gutta- percha
hunters in Malaga. he uses Il peculiar
voca bulary. Thus cats. elephants.
tigers, bu fla lOcs, etc. must not be
mentioned by their usual dcsigna ions.
nor arc such animals (tigers unfortu-
nately sometimes prove unpleasant eN-
ceptions) ever allowed upon mine.
Perhaps the oldest article in the paw
ang's Index eNpurgatorius' is the
lime fruit or lemon, which under nc
circumstances may be brought to ~
mine: and should the juice be thrown
into the mine water dire results are
dreaded. Raw cotton, glass and cart h.
enware, or an unsheathed spear or
kris, are equally anathenn. all the
articles mentioned being offensive tC
the hantu spirits which haunt the
mine.
Assuming that the pawanG is en-
gagged by a mine-Owner at d fec vary.
ing from fifteen to thirty pounds. his
first business is to erect platform or
altar constructed of Il special kind OF
wood. The fur bra nches which serve
as supports have the bark peeled off
for a bOut four and a half feet from the
ground to where the twigs begin. The
leaves on the latter are not removed.
A square pla torn, measuring fifteen
inches each way of peeled sticks. is
fixed to these supports at about three
feet from the ground. A foot above
this comes railing round three sides
of the platform. while the rallied lad
der with four runGs reaches from the
open side of the platform to the
ground. EringeS of cocOanut ornament
the railing, and the VIII ole construction
is bound together with carpets
rattan, however, being forbidden.
Upon it offerings arc laid and the
spirit of the mine to bless it with good
fortune. a bag of tin sand from the
first washing is the fee paid for this
service. Sometimes a cheaper kind OF
altar is made by placing in the ground
a single peeled stick with its upper end
split in four, upon which is placed the
little platform above deScrib bed. The
next process is to hang ancha or
square frame about eighteen inches
each way in the smelting-house just
under the caves of the roof. This
serves as an interior altar upon which
the miners place their offerings 20 the
hantu. The accurate hanging up of
the ancha is matter of special care.
These preliminaries accomplished,
the mine is considered sure of luck
Pail Mall Gazette.
1t Shouldn't He.
Jones-Where's the pretty girl l saw
you with vcsterday?'
Brown (crossly)-That was my wife.
''Wcll, irnt she a pretty girl lust the