Page 20 - Malay sketches
P. 20
MALAY SKETCHES
blood. He will brood over a real or fancied stain
on his honour until he is possessed by the desire
for revenge. If he cannot wreak it on the offender,
he will strike out at the first human being that
comes in his way, male or female, old or young.
It is this state of blind fury, this vision of blood,
that the amok. The Malay has often been
produces
called treacherous. I whether he deserves
question
the more than other men. He is courteous
reproach
and in and he understands
expects courtesy return,
only one method of avenging personal insults.
The of the clan is also strong in him. He
spirit
acknowledges the necessity of carrying out, even
blindly, the orders of his hereditary chief, while he
will his own relatives at all costs and make
protect
their his own.
quarrel
The giving of gifts by Raja to subject, or subject
to ruler, is a custom now falling into desuetude,
but it still prevails on the occasion of the accession
of a Raja, the appointment of high officers, a
marriage, a circumcision, ear-piercing, or similar
ceremony. As with other Eastern people, hospitality
is to the Malay a sacred duty fulfilled by high and
low, rich and poor alike.
Though the Malay is an Islam by profession, and
would suffer crucifixion sooner than deny his faith,
4