Simon Soon
Angkat tabut malam sa-puloh,
Serunai gendang bunyi rioh,
Jalan terang api di-suloh,
Keling, China tempoh menempoh.
Lift up the tabut on the night of the tenth
with flutes and drumbeats in festive cheer
lit by the moonlight and orbs of flametorches
Ye Indians and Chinese, join the scuffle!
- - Kamus RJ Wilkinson, 1901.
JD Vaughan observed in 1857, 'They disguise themselves in a variety of ways to prove amusing, some dress as beggars of various nations, others as birds and beasts; some of them study the habits and movements of wild beasts so well, especially the tiger, that their imitation of the brute are splendid; some assume the attire of Europeans and dance various fashionable dances including the polka, their performances are rewarded by showers of cents principally subscribed by Europeans and Portuguese who are attracted out on such occasions; their love of fun and devilry leads them to imitate burlesquely all the ceremonies observed by the Mahomedans and Hindus of India, to the amusement of bystanders. They also form bands, led by some desperate fellows, and attack parties of Klings and Bengalies who may be devoutly parading with their images; the attack begins in fun but eventually ends in blows and even bloodshed; the principle work of the Police is to watch these bands of Jawi-bukans who issue from their houses merely for the purpose of annoying the real devotees.'
Notes:
JD Vaughaan. 1857. 'Notes on the Malays of Pinang and Province Wellesley' Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, 2, 116.
