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THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE MINTIRA, 
WITH SOME ADDITIONAL REMARKS ON THEIR CUSTOMS, &<J. 
All diseases are caused either by spirits or by the spells of men. 
Amongst the spirits of disease— Hdntu Pinydkit ,—the most power¬ 
ful are the Hdntu Hamorcm, Iidntu Bara Sis ip and Hdntu Bard 
TerktUr. These Hantus cause the greatest mortality. The Iidntu. 
Katumbohan (spirit of the small pox) is held in such dread that the 
Mintira evince a repugnance to mention its name. The Iidntu 
Kambong haunts the abodes of men to afflict them with pains in the 
belly and head. The Pinidkit Pundn (Malay KampimdnJ causes pains 
and accidents to persons who have had a desire to eat of any parti¬ 
cular article of food, and have not been able to get it. The Hdntu Sa - 
buro, or Hunter Spirit, dwells in lakes and pools in rivers. His body 
is black, and he has three dogs named Sokom, or Black-mouth. 
When one of them passes a hut, the inmates make a great noise by 
beating pieces of wood &c. to frighten him away, and the children 
are caught up and held tightly by the older people.* The Hdntu Sa- 
buro chases men in the forest by his dogs, aud, if they are run down, 
he drinks their blood. At the upper extremity (ulii) of every stream 
dwells the Hdntu TingL In the ground lives the Hdntu Kaniang 
who causes inflammation and swellings in the hands and feet, so as to 
deprive his victims of the power of locomotion. The Hdntu Don- 
dong resides in caves aud crevices in rocks. He kills dogs and wild 
hogs with the sumpitan, and drinks their blood. The Iidntu Penyd - 
din is a water demon, with the head of a dog and the mouth of an al¬ 
ligator. He sucks blood from the thumbs and big toes of men, and 
death ensues. When he leaves his watery abode, lie wanders about 
incessantly in search of food, until satiated, when he returns'home. 
The Iidntu Kdyu (wood demons) frequent every species of tree, and 
afflict men with diseases. Some trees are noted for the malignity of 
their demons. The Hdntu Ddgo haunts graves, and assumes the 
* The Malays have a similar belief. But with them Sokom is preceded 
by a bird named B^rdbdrd. Whenever it is seen near a house as much 
noise as possible is matfe. 
