Publisher's Synopsis
Anthropologist Walter Skeat's Malay Magic: Being an Introduction to the Folklore and Popular Religion of the Malay Peninsula was written to introduce the reader to the Malay people, of what is now known as Malaysia, and their customs and popular religion.
The book opens with the theory of creation as understood and passed down by the peoples of the Malay Peninsula. This marks a logical starting point for a detailed discussion of the beliefs of the Malays. The book proceeds to tackle a wide range of Malay folklore and legend, all of which serve to further the reader's understanding of the Malays. Topics include nature; man's place in the universe; man's relationship with the supernatural world; Malay gods, spirits, and ghosts; and finally magic rites connected to nature and affecting man are all subjects to which the author has dedicated chapters. The book is thorough, and if not completely exhaustive, still fairly all encompassing of the religious and spiritual beliefs of the Malay. Illustrations are present to better illuminate some of the text.
Skeat's knowledge of the topic is impressive. At over 700 pages, this is a large volume that is meant to be slowly digested. No prior knowledge of the Malay people is required before endeavoring to read this book, and the patient reader will be rewarded with a wonderful picture of the Malays. With assertive prose and a logical path through the subject matter, Skeat has made this work a joy to read.
Malay Magic will appeal to anybody interested in the people of the Malay peninsula, as well as avid readers of folklore and students of anthropology. While now more than one hundred years old, this book is still an excellent introduction to a fascinating group of people.
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