1836.] States in the Interior of Malacca. 65 



The Panghulu is alternately elected from the two tribes, Bddodnda 

 Jakdn and Bddodnda Jawa. The following circumstances, according 

 to tradition, led to this custom: 



" When the king of Johore appointed nine Panghulus over the 

 nine Negris in the interior of Malacca, the heads of the leading tribes 

 in Rumbdwe, viz. those of the Bddodnda Jakdn and Jawa, disputed 

 regarding the superiority of their respective claims to the honor. His 

 Highness of Johore, after due deliberation, came to the decision that 

 the selection of a Panghulu should not be made from one tribe exclu- 

 sively, but that each should have the privilege alternately." 



This judgment, we are assured, gave entire satisfaction, and at all 

 events, seems to have been adhered to in subsequent elections. 



It must not be omitted here to state, that the title of L4lah Maha- 

 raja was given by the king to the Panghulus of the tribe Bddodnda 

 Jakun, and that of S4dia Raja to those of the Bddodnda Jawa ; with 

 the exception of this custom, the office of Panghulu is hereditary, 

 agreeably to the law of Perpati Sabdtang prevailing in Menangkdbdwe, 

 and provided the heir be not insane or an imbecile. The present 

 Panghdlu is of the tribe Bddodnda Jakun, he succeeded his predecessor 

 Bahdgo, of the tribe Bddodnda Jawa, in 1819. 



Sukus. — Under the Panghd lu are the eight Sukus, or heads of the tribes, 

 into which the population of Rumbdwe is divided ; and who act as 

 their representatives in councils of state, where like the former Sitka's 

 of Naning and Sungie Ujong, they possess considerable influence. 

 Nothing of any public importance can be agreed on without their 

 concurrence ; and their unanimous vote on disputed points bears down 

 that of the Panghdlu. The Iang de-pertdan Besdr and Muda always 

 exert more or less influence over their councils. The signature of the 

 Sukus is necessary to the ratification of any treaty, or other similar 

 public document. 



Formerly there were only four Sukus who had share in the councils, 

 viz. those of Rumbdwe Ilir ; but latterly those of Rumbdwe Ulu have 

 been admitted, as alluded to above. This change was effected by the 

 policy of the two Iang de-pertdans, in order to lessen the influence of 

 the Panghulu and former Sukus, and to increase their own. 



The names of the tribes and titles of the individuals who represent 

 them are as follow : 



Rumbowe Ilir. 

 Tribes. Heads of tribes 



Battu Arapar, Gompar Maharaja 



Paya Kumba Barrat, . . . M£ra Bongsa. J- ■{ 



Rumbowe Ulu. 

 Tribes. Heads of Tribes. 

 Paya Kumba Darrat, .... Sanaa Raja. 

 Battu Ballang, Andika. 



Mancal, Sangsura Pahlawan. j | Sa Melongang, Mendalika. 



Tiga N^nik, Bongsa de Balang. J |_ Sri Lummah, Senda Maharaja. 



To this list may be added the names of four inferior tribes, which 



