Simon Soon
Ibrahim Munshi writes of his experience: 'We then entered the area where a theatrical performance was being held and watched this for a few minutes, after which we emerged and walked on to Hutton Street. to see the beggar keramat there. There were huge crowds of people, male and female, young and old, all watching a variety of entertainments. I was indeed very fortunate to encounter all these things that night. At the site of the keramat, there were huge crowds of people, all squeezed together, watching a recital of maulud hymns in the Southern Indian fashion. We then entered the place of the keramat for a brief look round and the people there gave each of us a string of jasmine blossoms, to bring good luck, so it is said.'
'For ten days they would chant maulud prayers, perform the hadrah, and recite the Fatiha. They would also put on a variety of entertainments, light a large number of stolp lamps and glass lanterns, set off fireworks and ignite sulphur. On the grave, they would place coconut fronds and jasmine flowers in great profusion, and they would also throw a feast for the people there. The expenses for all this would be shouldered by each of them in turn. On the tenth night, a tabut or emblem would be borne around in procession, in the keramat's name. Thus was their custom every year, and it involved them in considerable expense. The majority of the people who organised and promoted these activities were Southern Indians, but a fair number of Malays who believed in the keramat also joined in. And the people declared that the keramat was most receptive to their pleas, and that all their vows and prayers were answered... Many other examples of his miracle-working powers were cited by them, such is the conviction of persons lacking a firm faith in the true religion.'
NOTES
Mohamed Ibrahim Munshi. 1975. The Voyages of MOhamed Ibrahim Munshi, Amin Sweeney and Nigel Phillips (Trans). Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press, 97-98
