IDNO

P.46000.SKT

Description

Documentary photograph of four figurines, said to be models of "birth spirits" and "vampires", "made by the Malays themselves to show their own ideas about the appearance of the spirits". The models are labelled A, B, C and D from left to right.
Figurine A, the "Black Earth Demon", is a wooden male figure with strands of hair, eyebrows and a moustache, wearing a domed hat. He is described in 'Malay Magic' as "the Black King of the Genii" (Jin Hitam), who "dwells in the Heart of the Earth". (Skeat 1900, pp. 93-94). The figurine is possibly in the care of MAA, reference Z 33228?.
Figurine B represents a Langsuir, which Skeat describes as "a sort of flying lady or 'banshee', the wraith of a woman who died in giving birth to a child" and now "sucks the blood of children". The wooden figurine has long dark hair in two braids, outstretched arms with very long fingernails, and is draped in a long robe. (Skeat 1900, pp. 325-326) The figurine is possibly in the care of MAA, reference Z 33229?.
Figurine C is another "birth vampire" or Penanggalan, which consists of a "trunkless flying head" and neck, with long hair and streamers (intestines) hanging from the neck. (Skeat 1900, pp. 327-328)
Figurine D is a light-coloured wooden male figure with a skull cap, facial and body hair, holding a "blowpipe". He is described in 'Malay Magic' as the "White Geni" (Jin Putih). (Skeat 1900, p. 94) [LC 7/2/2007]

Place

SE Asia; Europe British Isles; Malaysia; United Kingdom; England; Cambridge; ?Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology

Cultural Affliation

Malay

Named Person

Photographer

?Museum Photographer

Collector / Expedition

Skeat, Walter William [Object donor]

Date

circa 1891 - 1910

Collection Name

Skeat Collection

Source

Skeat, Walter William

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

Description: Further details on the Langsuir and Penggalan are found in Skeat, W.W., 1900. Malay Magic: Being an Introduction to the Folklore and Popular Religion of the Malay Peninsula (Macmillan, London) pp. 325-328. Further details on the earth demons can be found in ibid., pp. 93-96

This print was kept in a box now numbered C153/ by the cataloguer. This box was formerly numbered 160.

P.46000.SKT-P.46074.SKT were found in the envelope now numbered C153/1/.

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Liana Chua 7/2/2007]