A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
Skeat copied a creation account from a charm book belonging to Abdul Razzak, a magician at Klang in Selangor. In it, God directs Gabriel to take an iron staff associated with the creed and kill the serpent Sakatimuna. Its body splits: the head and forepart rise above the heavens while the tail penetrates below the earth.
Parts of its body become features of the world and good or evil spirits. The rainbow comes from its sword, grass from its body hair, trees from its head hair, rain from its tears and dew from its sweat. Skeat observes that this serpent has unusually humanlike possessions and anatomy and proposes an Indian naga connection; that comparison is his interpretation, distinct from the copied narrative.
Origins & earliest records
Malay Peninsula; source-specific recorded tradition
Records & interpretation
Directly read source passage; historical collector framing retained.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Malay Magic
Chapter I, Creation of the World, printed pp.2–4
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
Primary records and illustrations
Malay Magic
Chapter I. Chapter I, Creation of the World, printed pp.2–4
Passage directly read. Colonial collector classifications are attributed, not normalized across living traditions.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Historical collection / primary recorded accountMalay Magic — Chapter I, Creation of the World, printed pp.2–4Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
