Seumangat (Gayo: sëmangat; cf. Malay semangat) was the Atjèhnese concept of the impersonal soul — the “life-force” or “life-spirit” that could temporarily leave the body, at which point the person might die if the absence was prolonged. The seumangat was distinguished from the njawöng (personal soul), which did not leave the body during life.
Nature of seumangat
The seumangat “flees” (gadöh) from the body due to shock, fear, unpleasantness, or other disturbance. Its absence causes illness, which must be treated by the kroe seumangat ritual — “calling back” the seumangat. If the seumangat’s absence is prolonged, the person may die.
The seumangat was also attributed to animals, plants, and objects — including rice, money, kites, and other items. This animistic conception gave rise to various rituals and taboos surrounding these objects.
Gadöh seumangat
The “fleeing” of the seumangat from the body was called gadöh seumangat. This caused illness, and the seumangat had to be recalled by the kroe seumangat ritual. The gadöh seumangat was also the explanation for the Atjèhnese reluctance to conduct money transactions after dark — “the soul leaves” (gadöh seumangat) if transactions are conducted after dark, related to the fear of jealous spirits that wander at night.
Kroe seumangat
The ritual of “calling back” the seumangat of a sick child was called kroe seumangat (also naloe seumangat in Gayo, koer sëmangat). Performed in the evening, the practitioner rings bracelets or bells over the child, recites pantön’s for hours, and calls “kroe seumangat!” until all souls are returned. The seumangat’s appear as small flames or fireflies (kléb-kléb).
Relation to njawöng
The seumangat was distinguished from the njawöng (also njawa) — the personal soul, which did not leave the body during life. After death, the njawöng had little influence on the living. The seumangat, by contrast, was the active, wandering element that could be lost, recalled, and transferred.
See Also
Source
Atjèh. Algemeen samenvattend overzicht van land en volk van Atjèh en onderhoorigheden, door J. Kreemer, Archivaris van het Atjèh Instituut. Tweede Deel. Leiden: N.V. Boekhandel en Drukkerij voorheen E.J. Brill, 1923.
Identifier: Delpher MMKB02B:000001798; PPN 395084288. Koninklijke Bibliotheek.