Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra85861922roya).pdf/446

 by the interpreter. Those of them who are not Moslems employ some other polite formula. At each arrival the interpreter introduces the guest to the audience—as Dato' of this mountain or that mountain, etc. They are, of course, not visible but to the unconscious medium who, through the interpreter, most politely motions them each to their reserved seat. When all have arrived and seated themselves, one of them asks: "What is it that you all want, friends, that you call us? We shall always be pleased to do you any little service that we can." These words are spoken by the medium to the interpreter in a strange language. On their being interpreted, the relative sitting closest to the patient speaks out, describing the patient's sickness, the length of the time he or she has suffered, the powerlessness of the medicine-men to cope with it, and asking for an explanation of the cause, the possibility of cure, and the treatment for such a cure. The interpreter communicates this to the medium who, as the embodiment of all the spirit-guests for the time being, replies after a few minutes' real or pretended meditation. The reply will be that the sickness was caused by such and such evil influence (kĕlĕguran or badi); malicious persons (di-buatkan orang) or whatever it may be, at such and such place and on such and such occasion: that such and such is the treatment for its cure. Or he might say: "This so-and-so's sickness is incurable. There is no hope. Be resigned." If many of the spirits are present, they all agree in the decision given. This done, they all leave; and after some half-an-hour's more exertion, the medium comes back to his senses, extremely exhausted. He will immediately quit the house without a word, and go home accompanied, it is alleged, by "his" mysterious tiger.

On the other hand, if the akuan is one that permanently assumes the form of an animal, it is to all appearance sexless. Even if it belongs to any particular sex, the distinction is regarded indifferently. As for number, never or very seldom more than one of such animal—akuan belong to any one master. But that one acts towards him more like a faithful attendant than a far-off friend. The animal is not known by any special name. Its dwelling place depends upon the nature of the animal whose form is adopted by the spirit. Mostly the form adopted is that of a tiger, and so it lives in the forest over which it is supposed to wander like all ordinary tigers. Its assistance is not invoked, as it is always ready to help when the need arises, provided such emergency occurs, so to speak, within its "sphere of influence," that is to say, where it can make its appearance consistently with its natural form. A tiger, for instance, cannot live in the water, but in the jungle or in the dark it can render services to the "owner" in many ways. When he loses his way in the forest, the tiger would come and lead him out by distinct marks and scratches on the ground. He has no cause to fear anything, as the spirit-beast is always close by, assuring him of assistance and protection by making familiar