The incantation and sacrifice of the Pawang Ma’yang
This short note by W. B. Clarke documents the ritual incantation and sacrifice performed by a Pawang Ma’yang at the opening of a traditional performance (p. 106).
Summary
The note records the procedure followed when a stage is erected with its roof-tree pillars oriented East-West. At approximately 6:30 p.m. on the day of the first performance, the Pawang sits cross-legged between the pillars facing the setting sun, with a tray of ritual items including a single egg, rice (dry and wet), turmeric, a candle, four quids of betel, an ember, and a minimum monetary offering of thirty cents (p. 106).
The Pawang recites a fixed incantation invoking earth spirits, the source of illness, and a black spirit identified with the eastern star, closing with the Islamic formula La ilaha illa’llah (p. 106). He then performs a sequence of sacrificial actions: mixing rice from each saucer, taking the egg and a quid of betel, burying them at the foot of the western pillar, casting rice into the air, scattering rice around the stage, lighting the candle between his feet, hammering rice into the ground, placing betel on the drums, ordering the instruments to be sounded, and distributing the monetary offering. If the site proves inauspicious, a fresh one is selected and the entire performance repeated (p. 106).