Three peninsular charms
R.O. Winstedt’s short note presents a Malay charm (incantation) that he identifies as likely intended for catching a crocodile (p. 384).
Summary
The note reproduces a full Malay charm text, interspersed with Arabic script annotations for certain words. The incantation invokes Jibrā’īl, the Prophet Sulaimān, and a figure called “Dadeh Fatimah,” and contains a series of threats against the target (death, being crushed by a falling cliff, bitten by a large snake, etc.) if the charm is not properly kept (p. 384). Winstedt notes that the text is “full of corrupt phrases” and that the locality of origin is unknown. He also states that he had no opportunity to consult a Malay pawang to clarify the meaning of certain phrases and lines (p. 384).