Singaporean Mandarin Database

This database contains a collection of Mandarin terms which have cultural, historical or sentimental value unique to Singapore. These terms may be used by Singaporeans in the past or at present. Some of the terms are read in print while others are used in our everyday conversations.

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black magic (colloquially known as gong tau)

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black magic (colloquially known as gong tau)

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Culture

文化

Culture

释义

名词

一种通过向鬼神祈祷和暗中诅咒等方法所施的巫术，主要用来欺骗和陷害别人。也称诓头、贡头。

DEFINITION

Noun

A form of witchcraft conducted by praying to spirits and gods, and using secret incantations. It is mainly used to deceive and harm others. Also known in Mandarin as "诓头" or "贡头".

由来
  • 源自福建话 （闽南话） gong tau。
  • 马来人称巫术为 ilmu，这个词也含有知识和科学的意思。使用巫术的巫师称为 pawang，巫医成为 bomoh，而法力较高强的巫师被称为 shaman。
  • 马来降头术受到兴都教的影响，也和民间的鬼神信仰有密切关系。虽然马来社会已经信仰回教，但降头术在民间的影响还是根深蒂固。
  • 在古代的马来社会里，拥有降头术的甘榜巫师神通广大，不但能治病，替村民解决纠纷，也能探寻奥秘、解决疑惑、祈求丰收、 治邪驱魔、联络鬼神等。据说有些巫师在家养鬼，协助他保管财物、驱除邪魔、甚至伤人害命。
  • 马来社会认为巫师为人治病或驱魔不能贪图金钱，只能受对方的一点酬劳。
ETYMOLOGY
  • Originated from the Hokkien (Minnan) term gong tau.
  • Black magic is known in Malay as ilmu, which also means “knowledge” and “science”. Black magic practitioners are known as pawang, while witch doctors are known as bomoh, and higher-level practitioners are known as shaman.
  • Malay black magic is influenced by Hinduism and closely related to folk beliefs in spirits and gods. Although Malay society has already converted to Islam, the influence of black magic is still deeply ingrained among the people.
  • In ancient Malay society, kampung shamans had great power. Not only could they cure illnesses and help villagers resolve disputes, they could also explore great mysteries, resolve doubts, pray for good harvest, ward off evil spirits and communicate with the spiritual world. According to folklore, some shaman would keep spirits at home to assist them in exorcising evil spirits, keeping their belongings safe, and even causing harm to others.
  • In Malay society, it is believed that shamans cannot be greedy for monetary favours when healing or exorcising others. They can only accept small tokens of money from the person whom they have helped.
例句
女佣被辞退后，竟发短信恐吓，扬言再下降头对付他一家，吓得家人赶紧报警处理。（《联合晚报》，29/10/2018）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
After the domestic helper was fired, she sent a text message threatening to curse her employer's family with black magic. The family was so frightened that they immediately reported the matter to the police. (Lianhe Wanbao, 29/10/2018)
相关资料

  • 巫师在甘榜的地位仅次于村长或酋长，是专门保障甘榜安宁的重要人物。
  • 除了甘榜巫师，还有其他专门负责不同工作的巫师，如皇家巫师，负责照顾国王与国魂之间的关系；专治森林里的魔鬼的森林巫师；专治水中精灵的海上巫师；还有能用法力制服鳄鱼的鳄鱼巫师等。
  • 降头与鬼魔的关系密切，《马来亚鬼谱》就根据性别、长相、嗜好、地域、行为，分门别类介绍马来亚各地的鬼魔。

RELATED INFORMATION

  • Shamans are second in rank only to the village or tribal chief. They are tasked with the important role of safeguarding the village.
  • In addition to village shamans, there are also other witch doctors with different areas of expertise, such as royal shamans who are responsible for helping the king communicate with royal spirits, forest shamans who control the spirits in the forest, water shamans who control spirits in the sea, and even shamans with the power to control crocodiles.
  • Black magic is closely associated with the spiritual world. Hantu Hantu: An Account of Ghost Belief in Modern Malaya is an introduction to the ghosts in Malaya, and categorises them according to gender, appearance, preferences, region, and behaviour.

参考资料
点击查看降头的参考资料
REFERENCES

Click here to view references for black magic (colloquially known as gong tau)

 

 

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