CONSTITUTION OF THE NEGRI SEMBILAN. 17 



with bamboo poles with cross poles, say ten feet from the 

 ground : along the whole length of the road a broad strip of 

 yellow cloth was hung overhead and the entrance paths to the 

 Astana ( H ) and royal balai ( I ) were similarly decorated. 

 At the balai the royal yellow standard was flying from an 

 orthodox flagstaff and the general mixture of yellow with the 

 bright green of the grass and foliage was pleasing to the eye. 



The second plan sufficiently explains itself. 



Friday, the 6th of May, was, unfortunately, appallingly 

 wet ; but the rain did not check the constant stream of people 

 that flowed in from every part of the Kuala Pilah district. 



About mid-day the Chiefs of Sungei Ujong and Jelebu 

 arrived at Sri Menanti and took up their abode in the houses 

 set apart for them. 



The processions of people attending upon the minor 

 Chiefs paraded the Astana grounds, during the brief intervals 

 of sunshine, and helped to make the scene imposing. The 

 party that came with the Dato' Gunong Pasir was strikingly 

 picturesque : his procession was headed by some two hundred 

 women who wore cloths of every conceivable colour, and 

 immediately behind them came his personal attendants carry- 

 ing spears decorated with the peacock feathers of Gunong 

 Pasir. The Dato' himself walked next, dressed in a suit of 

 striped silk, the preponderating colour being yellow : behind 

 him followed one hundred men, and two hundred children of 

 all ages brought up the rear of the procession. 



At various places, outside the Astana grounds, the usual 

 forms of amusement that are concomitant with every Malay 

 gathering of importance were provided : I was specially struck 

 with the many skilful exhibitions of boxing ( silat ) , which 

 never failed to draw large crowds and provoke much merri- 

 ment. 



On two afternoons football matches, Europeans and 

 Malays against the Police, were played : on a third athletic 

 sports were held and, though the afternoon was wet, were much 

 enjoyed. 



B, A. Soc. No. 46, 1906. 



