SU.MATKA 185 



world, the system is coinniuiuil. The coinitry is divided 

 into sag ids, corresponding to the margas of the Lani- 

 pongers and Battaks, to which we shall have presently 

 to refer. There are three of these clans, called the 

 "XXII," "XXV," and "XXVI Miikims;' from the 

 number of districts each comprises — the mukim being 

 a partly religious, partly political division. Formerly 

 each of the three saguis was administered by a Chief 

 Panglima of the Sultan, but the Dutch claim to have 

 abolished the title. One died in battle, another is an 

 adherent of the Dutch, and the third is one of their 

 most redoubtable enemies, whose headquarters are at or 

 near Pedir, and who is said to command about 100,000 

 men, of whom 20,000 are armed with breech -loading 

 rifles of modern pattern. Each mukim is ruled by head- 

 men, and in its turn is subdivided into hinasas or town- 

 ships, each of which enjoys self-government, the law 

 being administered by a council of elders. 



The Achenese are Mohammedans, but, like others of 

 this sect in the archipelago, are by no means strict, and 

 have never distinguished themselves by their persecution 

 of other religionists. This tolerant spirit is illustrated 

 by the saying current among their neighbours, that " an 

 Achenese will curse a Christian, and then invite him to 

 bread and salt." Their chief amusements appear to be 

 fighting, gambling, and opium-smoking. The soil is for 

 the most part not very fertile, but pepper, camphor, and 

 other commodities are produced for the foreign market, 

 and of late, in consequence of the war, a considerable 

 quantity of rice for home consumption. The civets also 

 yield a valuable product, and their breeding is said to 

 form a special Ijranch of industry. 



The main characteristic of the Achenese is his lo^'e of 

 fighting. Every man is a soldier, and every village thus 



