374 VOYAGE IN SEARCH 



The iiland of Amboyna is divided into itven 

 diftricls, which in a number of places form fo 

 many villages, called vygrees. The command of 

 each nygres is given to a native, who is dignified 

 with the title of Orankaye. This man, to whom 

 the police of his little canton is confided, is him- 

 felf very fubordinate to the Dutch government, 

 and to it he applies in cafes of importance. The 

 Dutch ufually choofe, for Orankaycs, the natives 

 who follow the Protectant religion, giving a pre- 

 ference to the ancient chiefs or their ncareft re- 

 lations, and particularly to thofe who are in the 

 moft caty circumftances. 



Each of thefe Orankayes has the fupcrintend* 

 ence of about a hundred natives. The Dutch 

 Eaft-India Company, on inverting them with 

 this authority, prefent them with a filver-hilted 

 fword. Thefe chiefs are clothed in the European 

 fafhion, and all in black. They wear a cocked 

 hat, the corners of which arc very pointed and 

 very low; ihocs are alio added to this official 

 drcl's, which they never wear but when they arc 

 obliged to appear in public, or in prefencc of the 

 Dutch chic: 



The name of Orankaye is formed of two Ma- 

 lay word -, oran haya, which, translated literally, 

 fignify rich man. 



The dignity of Orankaye is not an empty title ; 

 it gives thefe petty chiefs means of making a for* 



tune 3 



