"'I make ten thousand salutations. I wish to inquire about the practice of ber-hantu, driving oneself mad and losing one's reason, as has been the custom of Rajas and Chiefs in this State of Perak; is it right, according to your religion, Mr. Resident, or is it not? For that practice is a deadly sin to the Muhammadan Faith, because those who engage in it lose their reason and waste their substance for nothing; some of them cast it into the water, while others scatter it broadcast through the jungle. How is such conduct treated by your religion, Mr. Resident; is it right or wrong? I want you in your indulgence to give me an answer, for this practice is very hard on the poor. The Headmen collect from the rayats, and then they make elaborate preparations of food, killing a buffalo or fowls, and all this is thrown away as already stated. According to the Muhammadan religion such proceedings lead to destruction. "'I salute you many times; do not be angry, for I do not understand your customs, Mr. Resident. "'(Signed) Haji Muhammad Abu Hassan.'" [684] 9. DANCES, SPORTS, AND GAMES Dance Ceremonies The following passage is an account of a characteristic Malay dance, the Joget:-- "Malays are not dancers, but they pay professional performers to dance for their amusement, and consider that 'the better part' is with those who watch, at their ease, the exertions of a small class, whose members are not held in the highest respect. The spectacle usually provided is strangely wanting in attraction: a couple of women shuffling their feet and swaying their hands in gestures that are practically devoid of grace or even variety--that is the Malay dance--and it is accompanied by the beating of native drums, the striking together of two short sticks held in either hand, and the occasional boom of a metal gong. The entertainment has an undoubted fascination for Malays, but it generally forms part of a theatrical performance, and for Western spectators it is immeasurably dull. [685] "In one of the Malay States, however, Pahang, it has for years been the custom for the ruler and one or two of his near relatives to keep trained dancing girls, who perform what is called the 'Jôget'--a real dance with an accompaniment of something like real music, though the orchestral instruments are very rude indeed. "The dancers, bûdak jôget, belong to the Raja's household, they may even be attached to him by a closer tie; they perform seldom, only for the amusement of their lord and his friends, and the public are not admitted. Years ago I saw such a dance, [686] and though peculiar to Pahang, as far as the Malay States are concerned, it is probable that it came originally from Java; the instruments used by the orchestra and the airs played are certainly far more common in Java and Sumatra than in the Peninsula.