sapa
To swear (on the Qur’an).
Occasionally an imam may call all the men of the congregation together (if some crime has been committed) for each one to swear. The guilty one will either stay away or will be punished by God if he swears falsely.
Why are they swearing to each other? What is their swearing about?
He swore that he was not the thief.
They swear on the Qur’an that they really will not kill each other.
I swear to this, I did not take it.
If the person swears, even only verbally (i.e. without touching the Qur’an) I will believe him.
kasapahan (tewwa' sapa)
For misfortune to befall s.o. (because of a false oath).
It is said that a person who swears a false oath will be punished by God. Most likely his stomach or his whole body will swell up and possibly burst and he will die. He will be so big that one sarong is not big enough to wrap him in. Instead of the person at fault any of his relatives may be befallen by this or other disasters, even if they have no knowledge of the evil done.
Misfortune befell that person because he swore (not to be guilty) but it was true that he did it.
Misfortune befell that person; that’s why his body is swollen.
VARIOUS OATHS COMMONLY USED
Kakan Kula'anin ku.
May the Qur’an eat me.
Kakan Kula'an 30 jūdin ku bang niya' ku ngeddo'ne.
May all thirty suras of the Qur’an eat me if I have taken any of it.
Labo' lengitin de kebbeng....
A piece of the sky will fall...
Putukanun timbō'kun...
Cut my forefinger...
Bisan si' meglossok mata...
Even if (my) eye would be stabbed ...
Putuk taman inin...
Cut off up to here...
Ngettup bettengku...
My stomach will burst...