Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese Vol II. - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/49

 over the treasury of God's mercy. Their prayers are believed to command a blessing or a curse, and to have the power of causing sickness or ensuring recovery. They know the formulas appointed of Allah for sundry purposes, and their manner of living is sufficiently devout to lend force to their spoken words. Even when some ignorant leubè is so honest as to decline the request of a mother that he should pronounce a formula of prayer over her sick child, he cannot refuse her simple petition that he will, "at least blow upon it"; even the breath of one who has some knowledge of book-lore and fulfils his ritual duties with regularity, is credited with healing power by the ignorant people.

The `eleumèë par excellence, as we have already seen, is the threefold sacred learning (Pikah, Usuy and Teusawōh) with the preliminary branches (Naku etc.), and the supplementary ones such as Teupeusé and Hadih. We have also made a passing acquaintance with an èleumèë which, chiefly owing to the heresy it involves, lies outside learning proper, namely the èleymèë saléʾ, There are besides a number of other "sciences" which cannot be regarded as forming a part of "the learning".

These numerous èleumèë's, like their namesakes among the Malays and Javanese (ilmu, ngèlmu), are if viewed according to our mode of thought, simply superstitious methods of attaining sundry ends, whether permissible or forbidden. A knowledge of these is considered indispensable alike for the fulfilment of individual wishes and the successful carrying on of all kinds of callings and occupations. For the forger of weapons or the goldsmith, the warrior or the architect, a knowledge of that mysterious hocus-pocus, the èleumèë which is regarded as appertaining to his calling, is thought at least as important as the skill in his trade which he acquires by instruction and practice. So too he that will dispose of his merchandize, conquer the heart of one he loves, render a foe innocuous, sow dissent between a wedded pair, or compass whatever else is suggested to him by passion or desire, must not