For Malay ‘Semangat’ or spirit of life is not limited to animals. It permeates the universe, dwelling in man, beast, plant and rock.
The universe teems with life: the life of a fire is swift and soon runs out; a rock’s life is slow and dreamlike.
Semangat strengthens its dwelling place, whether the human body or a stalk of rice and maintains its health and integrity.
However, it is extremely sensitive and can be depleted; it can even flee, startled or frightened, from its receptacles.
The vulnerability of the semangat governs the conduct of the traditional Malay rice harvest, whose performance has become increasingly rare as modern technology supplants the handiwork of traditional methods of rice production.
Modern methods may be more efficient, but they are not calculated to spare the feelings of the Rice Spirit (semangat padi).
To a traditional Malay, the field of rice is like a pregnant woman and the harvest is equivalent to the birth of a child.
It is inaugurated by the taking of the Rice Baby, a stalk of rice swaddled like a human child after being cut from its plant with a small, curved blade concealed in the hand, so as not to frighten the Rice Spirit by its brutal appearance.
The harvested rice rice crop is stored in a special bin with as coconut , coconut oil, limes, beluru root (used for shampoo), bananas, sugar cane, water and a comb, all for the use of the Rice Spirit, personified as a timid young woman.
Since she is easily frightened , the rice must be brought back to the storeroom and left there in silence for three days.
Rice Spirit
