Tok Bomoh's Mantra Cure for Disease in the Southern Border Provinces

Abstract

Tok Bomoh is a person knowledgeable in healing physical and mental health using traditional medicine and principles of Islamic faith combined, accumulating ancestral passed-on knowledge - acting as a mediator between humans and supernaturals by reciting a mantra about belief and faith to force encouragement. The cure is convenient, economical, and effective local wisdom that conforms to local traditions. Tok Bomoh and the villagers are bound with belief in consciousness and faith passed down from ancestors. Mantra in worshiping their gods to gain supernatural power is used for different and diverse cures and other purposes, including, to cure bone disease, pain relief massaging, to increase physical strength, and the use of herbs. Mantra is similar to magic, incantations, holy water, warding off, sacrificing, holy thread, and is involved with the Melayu people’s beliefs, thoughts, and way of life in the southern border provinces, linked to the religious faith of Thai Muslims of Malay descent.