Earth-serpent

Chthonic serpent classed as deity (the world-supporting earth-snake / earth-deity). The female earth-power that complements the male sky/thunder Karei is, in several Semang accounts, this snake; the apostrophe in 'naga'' marks a final glottal stop in the transcription. The word is a Malay/Sanskritic loan ('naga') adopted into Semang usage. Latin transcription.

Domains

• underworld and the supporting earth
• earthquake and flood

Powers

• bear up the disk of the earth

Sources

• Paul Schebesta, Die Negrito Asiens, vol. II.1: Religion und Mythologie, 1957
• Ivor H. N. Evans, The Negritos of Malaya, Cambridge University Press, 1937