This is the
beginning and an end of Magic SEA postings. Though there are more magic rituals
untouched, 700 odd postings already cover most of the available spells and
rituals available in the Southeast Asia.
Someone
dropped me a note asking if I would ever get tired of magic; and I think I am
really got tired of the ordinary magic that you can find in the intranet. It is
time for me to move on to the ‘next level’ of study and to explore further into
the Indochinese herbal practices.
Let’s go
through various systems at a glance:
The hill
tribes of the Indochina such as Yao and Hmong are still practicing a mixture of
Taoist ritual and keeping Phi Phop. There are many types of Phi Phops: The
snake, the golden silkworm, the catfish, the scorpion, toad, banana, ginger
etc.
The
Vietnamese magic is influenced mostly by the Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and to
some extend the Cambodian and Thai magic. A notable magic is the practice of ‘Ngai’
plant. An Ngai plant is normally from ginger or lily family; but other plant
types also possible as I was told. It is said that a person only needs to eat
some portion of the Ngai root so that he or she can gain supernatural strength.
This practice is especially popular amongst the boxers.
Cambodian,
Thai and Laos’s magic need not further introductions. Basically these magical
systems are influenced by Brahmism, Buddhism and local animism. Typical of
these systems are Kumanthong, Lokok (real human fetus), Leklai and the Nam Man
Prai corpse oil.
Malaysian
magical practices are only prevails in the Chinese and Indian societies these
days. The old local Malay magic practices such as Hantu Raya and Santau are
almost driven to extinction. But I was told that one can still find traces of
the black magician in parts of Peninsular.
The belief
of weretiger is still very prevalent in Sumatera and Malaysia. The Asma Sungei
Rajah with many variants are typical Javanese magic; simple but powerful. Of
course no one can forget Deva Yakong and Leak from Bali.
The rest of
the place such as Iban and Filipino magic are powerful in their own rights. I
will let you explore one by one in this blog or just google around for more
information
So, you
have it folks; magic of SEA unleashed in front of you one by one. Now it’s time
of Magic SEA to go hibernation.
I will not
check on the comment box, so drop me a note if you have queries. My responds would
be slow as I would be in the field most of the time.
