Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 6 1888.djvu/81

Rh The first Raja was Saléngkar Ậlam, of Bukit Guntang Pĕnyâring, in Hulu Mĕnangkâbau. Pĕnyâring, according to native ideas, is derived from "guntang," the shaking of the "jâring" net used to catch the "kĕluang" (flying-fox) for the feast at which Saléngkar Ậlam was proclaimed Râja.

The Bâtin Minang previously mentioned remained in the jungle.

The derivation of M′ĕnangk'âbau is likewise given, as follows:—"M′ĕnang," to win," and "k′ĕrbau" (in the compound word often sounded and sometimes written "kâbau"), buffalo, meaning, "the buffaloes win," which is thus accounted for:—From a hole behind the site of the new palace issued hundreds of buffaloes, the horns and hoofs of their leader appearing to be of gold; on observing this the people chased him, but before they could catch him he and his herd vanished back into their hole, and were never seen again; the buffaloes, thus winning in the race for the hole, gave the name to the place. The tradition found in the "Sĕjârah Malâyu," Malay annals, and other native writings, makes the first royal ruler descend from the mountain Sagántang, or Sagúntang Mahamîru, under the name of Sang Sap’ĕrba, or Sang p’ĕrba, (i.e. first chief), claiming descent from Sĕkándĕr, or Iskándĕr Dulkĕrnéin (i.e. Alexander, the two-horned possessor of East and West), Alexander the Great. The reference to "Mahamiru," the Indian Olympus, clearly shows the direction in which the origin of a portion at least of those traditions is to be sought, and this track has been followed in an interesting paper by Mr. W. E. Maxwell, on "Aryan Mythology in Malay Traditions" (vol. xiii. Journal R.A.S. new series, 1881), where he points out that "sagántang," or "sagúntang," is probably "Sughanda," one of the mountains surrounding "Meru." "Gandhamâdana" appears to be an epithet of the whole of that district. So the native explanation of "gúntang pĕnyàring" (or "pĕnyârong," as Mr. Maxwell found in one MS., suggesting it as an error for "I’agarrûyong," which I doubt), cannot be accepted. Whether "pĕnyâring" be a later native addition to "guntang" in ignorance of its Indian origin, or a corruption of some Indian name, has yet to be ascertained. The same view as to a possible Indian origin must be advocated as to the name "Mĕnangkâbau," which is strengthened by the variety in the way of sounding and spelling it, "Mĕnangkérbau" being the correct form to accord with the native legend, while "Mînangkâbu" and "Mĕnangkábu" are also to be met with. There are two other native derivations given to account for the name "M’ĕnangk’ĕrbau"; one of a fight between a buffalo and a tiger, in which the former was victorious, pushing the latter over a precipice; the other, of a gigantic buffalo, which the Javanese put forward for the Malays to match,