Magickal Oils of Indonesian Shamanism Part 1

IntroductionAlmost every shamanic and pagannightfall comes, the body would gradually awaken.
culture has its own collection of oils used forThe effects of the Star-Oil has some
occult and magickal purposes. In this article we willresemblance to the Javanese occult powers such
describe a few of these "minyak" (as oils areas "Ilmu Rawa Rontek," and "Aji Pancasona."We
called in the Indonesian/Malayan tongue) to bebelieve that scientific research on this oil would be
found in the Indonesian archipelago. This is angreatly beneficial to humanity although the latter
on-going project and we may update this articleas a whole may not be prepared for it yet.
whenever we possess additional informationAdditionally, acquiring a sample of this oil from the
regarding the subject.There are many oils usedDayaks for analysis would be quite a problem as
for occult purposes; we may divide them intothey are very wary of strangers visiting their
two categories: the ordinary ones, and thecommunities or giving their magickal items or
extraordinary ones. For instance, Zafarron, Misik,secrets away.The Star-oil itself has a greenish or
and Gaharu oils as used for anointing and writingyellowish hue and is very simply applied. All that
sigils, seals, kameas, wefeqs, etc., are theone has to do is to consume a few drops on a
"ordinary" ones. Below we will describe the moreThursday night, together with the application of
extraordinary and unusual types of magical oils.other essential instructions from the shaman and
We are not able to personally vouch for the truththis would be enough to provide one with the
of the virtues of any of these oils, or in somelife-long power. This occult virtue cannot be
cases disinclined to. Their descriptions and use aremagically transferred to others unless they
given merely for the sake of informationlikewise consume the elixir. Dying persons when
purposes. It should also be noted that most ofgiven this oil-potion would be "guaranteed" to
these oils are rare and difficult to acquire.Contentsrecover even if they were to subsequently show
:Minyak Hadangan Minyak Bintang Minyaksigns of death. The Star-oil would have its effect
Kawiyang Minyak Istanbul Minyak Sinyong-Nyongwhen the stars are out.Minyak KawiyangAnother
Minyak Air-Mata Duyung Minyak Bulus Minyak Apelrare Dayak specialty is Minyak Kawiyang, or
Jin Minyak Lintah Minyak Kesambi and Minyak"Kawiyang Oil." Some also call it Minyak Sumbulik.
Banyu Urip Minyak Cimande MinyakAccording to sources this oil originates in the
PonibasawaMinyak HadanganFor centuries thisKinibalu mountains. There is a romantic legend
potent minyak is considered as the king of loverelated to this minyak.In the olden days there
oils. Not only is it used for romantic affairs bylived at the foot of the Kinibalu mountains a
men and women, it is also often utilized as anbeautiful widow who for some unknown reason
occult media for improving one's business,year after year grew more and more beautiful. It
warding-off black magic and protection againstwas not surprising that she had many suitors who
negative energies.This oil is said to be derivedsought her hand in marriage. For some reason,
from a rare buffalo-species only to be found inthough, the matrimonial-state did not last long for
the depths of the southern and easternher and every marriage ended in divorce.While on
Kalimantan (Borneo) forest, especially in the localeher death-bed, all of her ex-99 husbands came to
of Muara Payang, Muara Kumam, in the regencyvisit, weeping and regretting their past immature
area of Grogot. In the tribal language of thebehavior towards her. Minutes after her transition,
natives, the Pasir people, Hadangan meansand in the midst of the gathering, a voice from
"buffalo."These Hadangan buffaloes are wild andnowhere was suddenly heard. It said to the men
aggressive, and exists not in great amounts in thethat their wife having loved her husbands dearly
jungles and forests. The oil is acquired when theleft for them a chalice filled with oil. They were
animal is already dead and in a state ofinstructed by this voice to share the oil among
decomposition. For occult reasons it is forbiddenthem and to always cherish it as a souvenir and
to kill this mammal for their fluid extracts. Whilereminder of the woman's love, and that they
the dead body of this animal is decaying, it oozeswere not to forget her. This oil later became
a certain liquid which is the Hadangan oil. Becauseknown as Kawiyang.Putting legends aside,
of the scarcity of this buffalo, the oil extract is aKawiyang-oil comes in five different types and
rare curio. Only certain brave villagers of the Pasircolors: black, red, green, yellow and white. Each of
tribe who are daring enough to make the trip tothese is said to have its own special virtues. The
the forest and willing to spend days there areblack Kawiyang confers invisibility, charisma,
able to acquire this oil.The Pasir tribes areauthority, and invulnerability to hand weapons;
well-known for their black magic. Visitors abusingwhile the red Kawiyang gives an anti-gravity field
privileges and acting arrogantly often findto the body making it possible to undergo
themselves subsequently suffering from maladies,journeys in the quickest time possible. Wide rivers
and in extreme cases even death. The Pasirand mountain crevasses are easily crossed with
people normally apply the Hadangan oil to capture,single leaps. The red Kawiyang also gives the
tame and domesticate the wild buffaloes. Theirability to command the Jin spirits to assist in
method of calling forth these animals is to add aphysical combat. Green Kawiyang oil has its use in
few drops of the oil to their tracks, and not longthe santet and teluh forms of black magic. This oil
after, as though by magic, the bellowing creaturesmay also be used for gaining or maintaining a
would appear. The buffaloes are then tamed andyouthful appearance. It is believed that this is
enchanted by dabbing extra oil onto their hides.acquired through vampiric activities. Just a dab of
Under the influence of the magical fluid, thethe oil on the neck and the head is supposed to
buffaloes follow the hunters willingly. During thesever itself from the body and fly-off
trip back to the village, the eyes and ears of thesomewhere to look for victims in order to suck
buffaloes are purposefully covered by mud andtheir blood. Some of the green oils have bluish
cloths by the enchanter so that the creatures dotints and this is supposed to be another excellent
not feel threatened by the presence of othersource for the working of black magic. It has the
human beings. Seeing humans and hearing theirpower to de-materialize objects and materializing
voices prematurely would infuriate them and theyit again as malicious implants in the bodies of
would start attacking all bystanders. The buffaloesvictims. The unfortunate person subjected to
only feel safe with their captors.During the earlysuch implants pass away not long after.Yellow
days of the discovery of the oil, when used solelyKawiyang oil is used for love, attraction, and
to fascinate buffaloes, teenagers began wonderingfascination. No spells and mantras are needed for
of the possibility of its application in other mattersthis. All that is required is to acquire a drop or two
considered important--such as in amorous affairs!with the fingertips and to apply them in the palms.
They reasoned that if buffaloes were to follow itsThe two palms are then rubbed together. After
enchanter with the help of the oil, the oppositethis all that one has to do is to touch with one's
sex would surely have a similar reaction whenhands and fingers the subject that we wish to
applied on them. After a period offascinate--perhaps as in a handshake.Riches and
experimentation they discovered that theirwealth may be acquired with the utilization of the
assumption was indeed true.Above we statedwhite Kawiyang oil. This is one of the magical oils
that this oil was taken from the corpse of themostly pursued--for it has the power to instantly
Hadangan buffalo and that they are not permittedmanifest money from the invisible worlds. Those
to be slaughtered for occult reasons. This could bepossessing this oil are given financial security.
an excuse, however, made by the Pasir peopleNothing much has to be done--money materializes
for their own veiled motives. Certain othersupernaturally on one's lap almost without
sources inform us that these animals are killed forsupervision or direction to the familiar spirit
this very purpose and that it is possible to extractassociated with the oil. Shipwrecks, destroyed
the oil by boiling the body parts and organs of thehouses and buildings, and buried money are some
buffalo for several hours in an earthen pot untilof the sources of this wealth.White Kawiyang oil
the oil is released. It is said this should be done inmay also be used to magically transport money
the forest with no one around and aware of thespent in shopping back to us. In other words,
operation. Before boiling, a mantra has to bemoney spent are occultly deported back to the
recited in the tribal language of the Pasirspender.Each of the oils has its familiar belonging
people:"Lakung bikat lalu laut pisang sulu Sisito the genie or jinn type of spirits. The etheric
rampung uyat bikatguardian of the white Kawiyang oil has the form
Ina tinggang puluk ulu"The method of use of theof the woman who had 99 husbands. The
Hadangan oil in love spells is to dab a little of it tofamiliars of the other minyaks are said to be
any part of the body of the unsuspecting subjectsisters of the above Jinn. They are called
that one wishes to attract using only the rightCamariah, Dandaniah, Tambuniah and
ring-finger. Before dabbing, the above mantra hasUraniah.According to certain native psychics who
to be silently chanted and then the oil on theare well versed with Dayak lore and occultism, in
finger is to be blown upon with the breath thatorder to function, every year these oils have to
has been magically influenced by the mantra.be given sesajen, or food-offerings, which are not
After being smeared with this oil the subjectalways fit for human consumption. The black oil
would have the user constantly in her thoughtsshould be given the blood of a black chicken
and would strive as much as possible to be neartogether with black glutinous rice. The red and
the magical operator even if prior to its use thegreen oil requires blood from one's ring-finger and
subject was aloof and inattentive. Most love oilsthe water of red sugar-cane, while the yellow and
are applied in a similar manner.Minyak BintangThiswhite oils need to be nourished with gold
oil is one of the most mysterious. It originatesdust.Although they look fluid, these oils have the
with the Dayak Benuaq and Tujung tribes ofconsistency of agar or jelly and for reasons not
Kalimantan. In their dialect they call it Olaauquite known they pulsate visibly as though alive.
Bintaakng, "Minyak Bintang," or "Star-oil." This fluidAlthough we have not personally seen this
can properly be said to be the "elixir of life" as itourselves, reliable friends have assured us that
possesses rejuvenating properties that not onlythis is indeed true as they have seen these oils
quickens sickly or sluggish bodies, but also has thewith their own eyes. When poured out of its
power, as it is claimed, to revive the dead. Star-oilvessel it shows its elastic nature like rubber
works in conjunction with certain inner-strengthglue.The oils are kept in little ceramic vessels
training and powers, which in Indonesian occultdesigned for oils called cupu (pronounced
circles are called Ilmu Kedigdayaan or Tenagachoopoo), but not just any cupu, because
Dalam. In China these are referred to as Chi Kung.inappropriate vessels would crack. They should be
Individuals who have mastered the use of thein their proper colors too. There should not be any
Star-oil and unfolded their inner strength aremirrors in the room where they are kept, and
believed to be able to quicken their bodies with aenough ventilation is required for their proper
new vital life force and awaken themselves frompreservation.The cupu containing the Kawiyang oil
the death-state.In bygone days, while war was stillshould be placed upon pieces of cloths assembled
common among the tribes in Kalimantan and evenin layers, one on top of another. The bottom
in other parts of Indonesia, there was thiscloth is white, symbolizing "death." The
competitive search among the warrior caste formiddle-layered cloth is yellow representing
occult objects and psycho-physical training that"protection." The uppermost cloth, black in color,
would confer upon their possessors andsignify sanctity.Atop of the cloths should be placed
practitioners invulnerability against weapons anda plate made out of no other material but white
supernormal strength, so as to provide an extraporcelain. A mixture of ordinary rice and the
advantage over enemies. The ancient tribesglutinous sort should fill about half the plate. This
believed that war should be won at any cost andrice mixture is where the cupu with the Kawiyang
if it could be done cheaply and swiftly withoil is placed and maintained.Should the oils be kept
magick, it would be adopted. This line of reasoningindiscriminately without following the above
seems to have their supporters in contemporaryinstruction they would soon lose their power. If
governments doing research into PSI-Warthis occurs, a certain purification ritual must be
technology.To return from our digression,conducted every Friday and Sunday nights,
however, certain tribes of the Dayaks eventuallyincluding full moons to revive the weakening oil.
came up with a most powerful creation that gaveThe method is to set up the oil with the lay-out
them a virtue beyond their wildest dream: Olaauabove and then have 3 pieces of red incenses
Bintaakng. This was the pinnacle of their ilmu, orburning together with a lit candle. The incense
occult knowledge and only a few people wereshould be half-consumed before proceeding to the
able to master it. Those who had this oil and itsnext step. When ready, raise the oil with the
power were usually uninterested in acquiring otherplate, together with the cloths above the incense
forms of Ilmu Kedigdayaan. The oil would alsoto be purified by the smoke. Have them encircle
have certain psychological effects on their mindsclockwise around the incense three to seven
and alchemically transmuting personaltimes. Put the objects down, and then raise just
characteristics such as cowardice into bravery.the plate and the oil and repeat the process. This
The fear of death is here mitigated by the powerpurification should be done for the third time with
of the oil.The Star-oil is manufactured by theonly the cupu. Encircle the oil vessel 3 to 7 times
shamans of the tribe and because of the difficultyclockwise around the smoke. While sanctifying the
in its production it is sold at a steep price; it is forobjects with smoke recite the following
this reason that most clients and consumers ofmantra:"Jinak ulah raja benila putih nur putih sinar
this oil are rich members of the community. Itsurang gaib"Once the purification process has been
origin and formula is not known as the Dayakcompleted the candle may be extinguished but
shamans are secretive in this matter. Very littleallow the incense be totally consumed.There is this
outsiders know about the existence of this oil andbelief that Kawiyang oil should be taken out of
most that do know consider it as "old wives'one's dwelling place when a member of one's
tales."This oil can be said to offer some sort ofhousehold passes away. Only after the deceased
physical immortality--but on a temporary basis ifhas been buried is it permissible to return the cupu
the weakness and limitation of this ilmu or powerwith the oil to its original place within the home.It is
is known by one's enemies. The method ofalso said that the possessor of the Kawiyang oil
defeating someone who is a Star-Oil Master is toshould not quarrel with one's wife or commit
vanquish him and them immediately separate hisadultery for this would cause ill fortune. If violated
body parts and bury them in different locations.one should rectify the situation by pouring the
Only in this manner will he be permanentlyblood of a black chicken onto the oil vessel and
immobilized; otherwise, he would just revive in thethe plate of rice. This cleansing should be repeated
middle of the night when the stars are out andwith red sugar cane juice.This oil should not be
resume his physical life. No matter how badlypassed on to others indiscriminately. It should only
injured, bruised, wounded, and killed in an accidentbe given to others after having possessed it for
or war, when the stars start shining the corpseat least three years, and not during the night for
would hear the "trumpet-call" and respond withit is considered dangerous to do so. Those
vigor--this is the Dayak's version of therequesting this oil should prepare a cupu and a
resurrection. This process is dissimilar to zombies,golden scissors beforehand--the cupu to receive
the supposedly living-dead. The corpse of thethe oil and the scissors to cut the rubbery
Star-oil master would actually be reanimated andstrands. The one receiving the oil should make a
regenerated with vital-force giving it new life. Itpromise to obey the injunctions and to properly
does not matter if the blood has been congealedcare for it. The Kawiyang oil should not be defiled
and the body in a rigor mortis condition. Whenby filthy water, otherwise, it would lose its power.