Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese Vol II. - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/54

 Peugawès having the form of an ulat sangkadu (a long-haired, ash-coloured variety of caterpillar) are very highly prized. The possessor of such a charm, if constrained to part with it, can easily secure a price of as much as two to five hundred dollars.

According to the prevailing superstition, these objects were once actually living creatures, but have become metamorphosed, through the conversion of elements mentioned above, into iron, copper or some other metal. A sort of peugawè can be made by rolling up an ajeumat (= jimat, ajimat "amulet") in a layer of èʾ malò (sediment of gum-lacquer). This too is supposed to be gradually transformed into iron by means of certain formulas, and like other peugawès, renders its wearer wound-proof. A peugawè prepared in this manner has the special name of barōnabeuët (from baḥr an-nubuwwah = the (mystic) sea of prophetical gifts). It is worn on a band round the waist.

If the object found combines with the hardness of iron the form of a fruit or some other eatable thing, it is also called peugawè, but is only of service as a charm (peunawa) against poisons, from the action of which it protects its wearer.

Another peculiar sort of charm against wounds is the ranté buy (pig's chain). Certain wild pigs called buy tunggay from the fact that they are solitary in their habits, are said to have a hook of iron wire passing through their noses which renders them invulnerable. This is supposed to be formed from an earthworm which the animal takes up with his food, but which attaches itself to his nose, and there undergoes the change of form which converts it into a charm. When the buy tunggay is eating he lays aside this hook, and happy is the man who can avail himself of such a moment to make himself master of the ranté.

According to the devout, however, the efficiency of most peugawès is conditional on the wearers leading a religious life; otherwise the charms merely cause irritation instead of protecting his body.

Bullets the lead forming which changes of its own accord into iron, are called peungeuliëh. Whoever finds one of these infallible charms will be wise to keep it about him when he engages in combat, but not on other occasions, as it will then bring him evil fortune. Hence the common saying, addressed for example to one who arrives just too late for a feast:—"what, have you a peungeuliëh about you?" .