10 CONSTITUTION OF THE NEGRI SEMBILAN. 



As time rolled on other people were attracted to these 

 countries and there was free immigration from Menangkabau. 

 The new arrivals brought their tribal customs with them, and, 

 as the terms " Waris " and " Lembaga " will recur, it will be 

 well to point out that there is only one Sakai, or Waris, 

 tribe — viz., the " Suku Beduanda " — while there are several 

 Menangkabau tribes, the elected head of each being known as 

 the Lembaga or manager of the tribal system. 



The Sakai and the people from Menangkabau maintained 

 the most friendly relations, but it became evident that over the 

 Nine States there must be some Suzerain to whom inter-state 

 disputes could be submitted for adjudication : and, through 

 the good offices of the Ruler of Johor, a deputation to Menang- 

 kabau was arranged and a Prince of that royal family was 

 induced to come over. 



In the year 1773, or thereabout, Raja Melewar was 

 installed by the four Lawgivers as Yang di per Tuan Besar, 

 and he took the title, by which he and all his successors have 

 been known, of Yam Tuan Besar, Sri Menanti. That beautiful 

 valley which it is impossible to traverse without halting 

 repeatedly to feast one's eyes on the scenery of hills, green or 

 golden padi, and feathery bamboos had already been occupied 

 by Menangkabau settlers, and they had so named it because, 

 on their arrival, they found padi in the ear, ripe, awaiting them. 

 There the Astana was built and the site then selected has 

 become the ancestral home of the Raja. 



Meanwhile other districts had been opened by settlers. 

 The gaps, caused by the defection or alienation of five of the 

 original Nine States, were filled by Ulu Muar, Terachi, Jempol, 



Gunong Pasir, and Inas. Subsequently Tampin and 

 Gemencheh, settlements from Rembau and Johol, were added. 



Gradually the constitution was built up and strengthened, 

 but, about thirty years ago, dissensions, inevitable in all 

 histories, arose, and Rembau, Jelebu and Sungei Ujong were 

 estranged. 



Then the healing interference of Great Britain commenced : 

 by degrees Sungei Ujong (April, 1874), Rembau (March, 1884), 



Jour. Straits Branch 



