32S* 
ME RELATION OF THE MALAYS TO THE MINTIRA.* 
The great superstition of the Bermun tribes is their best protec¬ 
tion against their equally superstitious and more civilized neighbours. 
The Malays and Chinese of Malacca, with few exceptions, but particu- 
ticularly the Malays of Naning, Rambau and the other states in the 
mteriofir, have implicit faith in the supernatural power of the Poy- 
angs, and believe that many others amongst the aborigines are imbu¬ 
ed with it. Hence they are careful to avoid offending them in any 
way, because although they do not attempt, at the time, to retaliate, 
or oven use threats, it is believed that they take the offence deeply to 
heart, and will sooner or later by occult means revenge themselves. 
The Malays, when they have opportunities, resort to them for the cure 
of diseases, with which they or their relatives are troubled. Revenge 
also not infrequently sends them to the Poyang, whose power they in¬ 
voke to cause disease and other misfortune, or even death, to those 
who have injured them. 
Amongst the Malays themselves, the tuju and oilier supernatural 
arts are practised, but tlieir practitioners are considered inferior in 
power to those of the aborigines. 
The very circumstance of these tribes remaining unconverted, is 
*X 
probably a principal cause of the belief in their possession of unhal¬ 
lowed powers. New creeds in all countries are received without a to¬ 
tal abandonment of the ancient ones. So long as the existanee of 
the old gods and demons of the land is credited, multitudes will ask 
their aid or deprecate their wrath, although they believe it is sinful to 
do so. To this day neither Hinduism, Islamism, nor Christianity it¬ 
self, have extinguished the ancient superstitions of the countries 
Where they prevail. 
From this dread of the Poyangs the O rang Rawa appear to be ex¬ 
empt. This people are natives of a country in Sumatra called Rawa, 
* 
* I do not hove consider the political relation, which could hardly be done 
without entering me-ic fully into the constitution of the Menangkabite States 
U !v, . ,c ■ danger, on the one side, and Pahang, on the 
other) and the peculiar character ot their people, than consists with the 
character of the above notes. 
