Bisan

Bisan

Lesserfolk-consensusMalay folkloreJakun indigenous beliefMalay PeninsulaJakun communities (Malay/Jakun cultural area)
Origin

No cosmological origin myth is supplied in the available source. The Bisan is described within a local cosmology in which each species of tree has its own presiding spirit; the Bisan is the specific guardian associated with camphor-bearing trees.

Appearance

The source describes the Bisan as a female nature spirit. She can appear in the form of a cicada and makes cicada-like sounds at night when she sings. The available material does not document other consistent anthropomorphic forms.

Abilities

The Bisan functions as the guardian or presiding spirit of camphor-bearing trees. Her cicada-like singing at night is treated as an informational sign indicating camphor nearby. She is described as a jealous spirit who will drive away anyone seeking camphor unless she is correctly propitiated. She may accept offerings of food and may also accept the sacrifice of a white cockerel. A specialised mixed code called bahasa kapor or patang kapor ('camphor language', a mixture of Malay and Jakun) is used to confuse her long enough for people to search for camphor unhindered.

Weaknesses & Wards

Weaknesses

  • mantra
    bahasa kapor / patang kapor ('camphor language')

Wards

  • ritual
    offerings of food
  • ritual
    sacrifice of a white cockerel
  • mantra
    bahasa kapor / patang kapor ('camphor language')
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Community Record

Sources
  1. [1]
    Bisan (Wikipedia entry). Wikipedia, 'Bisan' (entry summarising Malay/Jakun folklore about the camphor-guardian spirit).wiki
  2. [2]
    Wikidata: Q37430749 (Bisanz). Wikidata item linked from the Wikipedia entry.other
folk-consensus