V. CUSTOMS OF THE CAMPHOR-HUNTERS. 
By Ivor H. N. Evans, M.A. 
While paying a visit to the Endau River in August of 
this year (1917), I made a list of camphor tabu words (mostly 
obtained from Malays) and elicited any further information 
that I could with regard to the customs of camphor-hunters. 
The present paper contains only that part of my work 
which deals with customs and beliefs: the vocabulary is 
printed on pages 60-80. 
My informants, with the exception of a Jakun man 
from whom I obtained a few words of Bahasa Kapor', were 
Malays; one being a P&ughulu Kapor (leader of camphor- 
hunters) ; the other a man who had been working in a sub- 
ordinate capacity. Very little, if any, camphor seems to be 
collected nowadays in the vicinity of the Endau River. 
he followers of the Péughulu Kapor are known as his 
““Sakai.”” He and his “Sakai’’ must use the Bahasa Kapor 
while in the jungle, and, besides this, they have to obserye 
tabus of various kinds, which are more numerous and im- 
portant in the case of the Penghulu than in that of his 
followers. 
The Spirit of Camphor (Bisan)* is female and assumes 
the form of a Cicada. She requires propitiation by the cam- 
phor-seekers, or they will return empty-handed. A sacrifice ofa 
white cock is made by the Pénghulu and his ‘‘ Sakai’’ just at 
dusk on the first evening, after they have arrived at their 
head-quarters and built their hut, after which they partake of 
the fowl and of pulut (Oviza glutinosa) which is also offered to 
the Bisan. The Pénghulu must eat in moderation of the a 
and may not make a second ee from its remains, if there 
are any. His “‘Sakai’’ are, however, not prohibited . 
doing so, provided that what is left over is hidden from him 
and that he has no knowledge of the matter. 
Before the feast takes place, ‘‘ when the fowls go up to 
their perches, and the Cicada (Bzsam) is heard,’’ the camphor- 
seekers call out (béritriak) to the ‘Camphor Spirit as fol- 
lows :— 
Bisan, O Bisan/ 
Bisan_ ulu ayer, hiliy ayer 
Ptngadap chindir, penthan chindir, 
Koh mambong minta ’mbin kapor yang sa-pénoh ist. 
Koh mambong minta ’mbin kapor Sieng-Péngtlat, 
: Camphbor tabu language. 
2 The term Bisan is not Mgromnea 3 to oe” aes of Camphor, it is 
really a cotton wh meaning animated bein 
