THE MĚNTRA TRADITIONS.
THE following traditions were communicated to me by Bâtin Pa’ Înaji, who claims to be the head of all the Bâtins of the Mĕntra tribes. He has resided in Johol for the last fifteen years or so. His original name was Koloi, and his native place was Tânah Tâseh in Jelĕbu.
Some of these legends somewhat resemble German stories on the same subjects.
Tûhan dibâwah made the earth, and lives beneath it; it is supported by an iron staff sustained by iron cross-bars; beneath these again is Tânah Nyâyek. which is inhabited by a sort of sêtan, who have children not born in the ordinary way, but pulled out of the pit of the stomach. They were visited by Mĕrtang, the first Pogang, who brought back this account of them.
Tûhan dibâwah dwells beneath Tanah Nyâyek, and by his power supports all above him.
The earth was first peopled through Mĕrtang, the first Pôgang, and Bĕlo his younger brother. Their mother was Tanah Sakepal (a handful of earth) and their father Ayer Satitik (a drop of water).
They came from Tânah Bangun in the sky, and returned to it, taking with them a house from Ulu Kenâboi, on the other side of Jelebu, which flows into the Pahang. Bĕlo died, and when he was buried, a mĕngkârong[1] came towards the grave, and Mĕrtang threw his pârang at it, and cut off his tail, and the měngkârong ran away leaving his tail behind him, and Bĕlo thereupon came to life again, and left his grave and returned to his house.
- ↑ Mĕngkârong, lizard, small variety.
