Malaysian folklore Malaysian may refer to: * Something from or related to Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia * Malaysian Malay, a dialect of Malay language spoken mainly in Malaysia * Malaysian people, people who are identified with the country of Malaysia rega ...

, the Bisaan (meaning "woman") is a female

nature spirit Nature, in the broadest sense, is the physical world or universe. "Nature" can refer to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general. The study of nature is a large, if not the only, part of science. Although humans are p ...

or deity widely venerated among the Malay and Jakun natives. It is believed that every species of tree has a unique spirit presiding over it, and the Bisan is said to be the specific guardian of the camphor-bearing tree. She can appear in the form of a

cicada The cicadas () are a superfamily, the Cicadoidea, of insects in the order Hemiptera (true bugs). They are in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, along with smaller jumping bugs such as leafhoppers and froghoppers. The superfamily is divided into tw ...

, and even makes cicada-like sounds at night when she sings—a sure indication that camphor will be found nearby. However, the Bisan is a very jealous spirit, and will drive away anyone looking for camphor unless she is correctly propitiated. Offerings of food may be given to her, and she may also accept the sacrifice of a white

cockerel The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') is a domesticated junglefowl species, with attributes of wild species such as the grey and the Ceylon junglefowl that are originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adult m ...

. To prevent the Bisan even further, a person must speak to her only in ''bahasa kapor'' or ''patang kapor'' ("camphor language", a mixture of Malay and Jakun), an artificial language specifically made to completely confuse the Bisan long enough for the person to look for camphor unhindered.Rose, Carol. ''Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins: An Encyclopedia''. New York. W. W. Norton & Co., 1998. p. 41. "Bisan".

References

{{Mythology of Malaysia Religion in Malaysia Malaysian legends Austronesian spirituality