64 Account of Rumbdwe, one of the [Feb. 



plants, &c. investing their sages, Pdyongs, even with supernatural 

 powers, such as the Tdjoh Besawye, &c. 



These tribes are to be found over the whole of the interior of this 

 part of the peninsula, particularly in Ulu Colang, Siingie Ujong, Jokdle, 

 Jompdle, Jellabu, Ulu Mdar, and Segdmet. They are skilled in the com- 

 position of the celebrated upas poison, with which they tip the points 

 of their arrows. The Sdmpitan, a long tube, through which the poison- 

 ed darts are blown, and a spear, are their favorite weapons. The cloth 

 that encircles their loins is made from the fibrous bark of the Terrap 

 tree. 



The influence of their Botins, or chiefs over the election of the Pan- 

 ghuld of Sungie Ujong, has been mentioned. In Johjle, they exert a 

 similar power. It may be also remarked here, that in Rumbdwe there 

 are two distinctions of the high Malayan tribe called Bjdoanda, viz. 

 Bddodnda Jakdn, and Bddodnda Jawa. The Panghdlds of all these 

 states must necessarily be of one of these two tribes. 



Government. — Rumbdwe was formerly under the immediate sway of 

 its PangMlu and Ampat Sdkd ,• but of latter days, the Iang de pertdan 

 Mdda claims equal, if not superior power to the Panghuld. 



The first chief who assumed the title of Iang de pertdan Mdda of 

 Rumbowe was Raja Assil, the son of the second Menangkdbdwe prince 

 Raja Adil ; he was appointed by the then Iang de pertdan Besdr (his 

 son-in-law Raja Itam), with the concurrence of the Panghdlds of the 

 four states ; and it is stated, had assigned to him, as a subsistence, 

 two-sixths of the duty levied on the tin passing down the river from 

 Sungie Ujong, (the duty was then 2 dls. per bhar,) and the revenues of 

 the districts of Kroh and Tampin, near the foot of the mountain of 

 that name. 



In 1812, Assil was driven out of Rumbdwe, as previously mentioned, 

 by the Panghuld and Sdkds, assisted by Raja Ali ; and died in 

 Naning in 1814 or 15. Raja Ali supplanted him ; but, being 

 elected as Iang de-pertdan Besdr in 1832, was succeeded in the Mdda- 

 ship by his son-in-law, the present chief, Sayad Saban. 



This office being an innovation on ancient usage is, consequently, 

 secretly disliked by the Malays, especially where its privileges are so 

 ill defined and unsettled ; and one in which right would appear syno- 

 nymous with might. 



Another change within the last few years has taken place in the 

 constitution of this state ; instead of the council of the Ampat, or four, 

 Sdkds, it consists now of eight, or the Sdkd Iang de-ldpan ; who, with 

 the Panghuld, now form a deliberative body, like the Archons of 

 Athens, of nine. 



