Tajul muluk

Ilmu Tajul is the most commonly used name for the Malay system of geomancy, comprising metaphysical and geomantic principles considered when siting or designing buildings to improve and maintain well-being. It was traditionally practiced by shamans (dukun or bomoh) and architects from Malaysia and Indonesia. The term actually alludes to a book entitled Tajul Muluk which covered a number of other topics including herbal medicine, astrology and dream interpretation along with geomancy. While all these subjects may be categorised under the term ilmu tajul, it usually refers to the otherwise unnamed set of rites and rules for constructing buildings in Malay culture.

The history of Malay geomancy has never been documented, but the system contains cultural symbolism of Indian origin, indicating that it has existed as far back as the Hindu-Buddhist period of Southeast Asian history. Some conjecture that it may have been influenced by Indian vastu sastra or Chinese feng shui, both of which have traditionally been practiced in the Malay Peninsula. The earliest account of the art comes from the book Taj-al-Mulk (meaning "Royal Crown of Jewels" in Arabic) written for Acehnese royalty. The title was pronounced "Tajul Muluk" in Malay so the information it contained was referred to as ilmu tajul muluk or just ilmu tajul, meaning "knowledge of Tajul Muluk".

According to British civil servant Walter William Skeat in his book Malay Magic, originally published in 1900, the rituals of tajul muluk were once commonplace.

Even in the making of roads through the forest it would appear that sacrificial ceremonies are not invariably neglected. On one occasion I came upon a party of Malays in the Labu jungle who were engaged in making a bridle-track for the Selangor Government. A small bamboo censer, on which incense had been burning, had been erected in the middle of the trace ; and I was informed that the necessary rites (for exorcising the demons from the trace) had just been successfully concluded.

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Wikipedia