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circumstances, we have already alluded in our description of fisheries and epidemics. There are however others besides those mentioned. Should one wish to enquire as to the extent of a friend's rice-harvest, he must not ask "how much" (padum) but "how little (padit) have you obtained"[1]. "How few" and not "how many" is also the expression used by a man called out to fight in enquiring of his panglima the number of his fellows. Fighting men have also other pantangs of speech which they employ for fear of spoiling their luck by boasting of their prowess, their numbers or their successes. To speak to a mother of the health or vigour of her child will make her anxious and even angry[2]. On the other hand, if one of the family is seriously ill, he is spoken of as being "dainty or pleasant of flesh" (mangat asòë). Old fashioned people never mention the names of their ancestors or of former Achehnese royalties and other deceased worthies without first saying ampōn, meuribèë-ribèë ampōn, bèʾ tulah, i. e. "Forgiveness, a thousand times forgiveness (may the mention of your name bring on me) no curse!"
The setting of the sun also gives rise to certain definite speech-pantangs. In the evening or at night meat must be described as eungkōt darat (land-fish), or if the real name be used it must be preceded by the words "let no one dream of it to-night" (bèʾ lumpòë malam); for to dream of meat means misfortune. For the same reason no mention must be made in the evening of the drawing of teeth or of shaving; these verbs (bōt and chukō) are replaced by the general expression bòïh ("to do away with"). Cutting of nails may be spoken of, but must not be done at night, as poverty would be the result.
All who have to traverse the forests in the exercise of their calling, such as deer-hunters or searchers for camphor and honey, must in order to ensure success pay due regard to pantangs of speech as well as to various tangkays or magic formulas. Among other things it is said to be indispensable for the seekers of camphor to preface all remarks they make to one another by the way with the word kaphō (camphor). When a tiger is close by he must not be spoken of by his proper name (rimuëng), but must be called datōʾ (grandfather or ancestor)[3].
- ↑ The answer also, especially if the harvest has been very abundant, begins with the words na bachut tèʾ = "a mere trifle".
- ↑ So among the Irish peasantry it is considered unlucky to praise a child without adding the expression "God bless it" (Translator).
- ↑ The Malays also fear to name the tiger when in his vicinity. (Translator).
