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,
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