63 



for tlie spear liead. The blade when thus completed has a plain 

 undamascened edge, but the back on either side is composed of 

 alternate V-shaped bands of lighter and darker metal, tlie damas- 

 cening being further accentuated b}' the outer edges of the darker metal 

 V's being inlaid witli small stripes of silver. The inlay is effected by 

 cutting a gi'oove in the iron with a small cold chisel and laying in a 

 shred of silver; tlie edges of the cut left by the chisel are then 

 hammered down until the silver is firmly gripped by tbem. 



THE SMITH'S CHARMS. 

 As in the case of most of the callings followed by Malays that of 

 a ki'is-smith can boast its own peculiar set of formulae devoted to 

 invoking the particular spirits whom the smith looks upon as the 

 guardian genii of his trade. The two specimens given below 

 are used in the welding of iron, but the smith also recites them, 

 at the monthly "smith's promise" (Jangi tukang) which is 

 sometimes called Jemuan hantu or the feeding of the spirits. 

 Behind the smith's forge is a funnel-shaped cup, made from a rolled 

 leaf planted in the ground ; this is for holding a small offering such 

 as an egg or a little coconut oil. It is in and ai'ound this cup that 

 the montlily offering is placed. 



THE INVOCATIONS. 



(1) Bismi"llahi'r rahmani' r-rahimi. As'salam alaikum, Tabek 

 Pandai Kuma, Pandai Bakar, Guru yang hormat Guru yang harkat, 

 waif at Inna A-athaina, kul kat. 



(2) As'salamu alaikum, Hantu Tanah Jcmbalang Bumi, Jin 

 Hitam sa-gema api, mari makan jamuan aku, Jin Puteh, Nur 

 Muhammad, di-dengar engkau pesan aku, engkau ta'-deugar pesan 

 aku, aku sumpah, bumi sa-tapak tiada meuanggong, ayer sa-titek 

 tiada berjumpa, jikalau ta'-lekat engkau tolong pelekatkan. 



These may be roughly translated as follows : 



(1) In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate, 



Greetings to ye. Greeting, O Smith, Master of tha 

 Hammer, Master of the Forge, Reverenced Teacher, 

 Famous Instructor — (Debased Ai-abic, probably some 

 form of greeting). 



(2) Greeting to you Spirits of the Earth and of the AVorld 



and to you Black Spirit, Flame of Fire ; come eat the 



feast I have prepai"ed you. Hear my commands, 



White Spirits, Parrots of Mohammad. If j'ou hear 



them not i curse you, may no sod of earth support 



your feet, no drop of water quench your thirst. If the 



(iron) welds not, help its welding. 



These invocations, as is the case in almost all Malay spells or 



charms, pi-esent a curious mixture of Mohammedanism and spirit or 



nature woi'ship ; in many cases a leavening of Hinduism is further 



added. 



