CONSTITUTION OF THE NEGRI SEMBILAN. 21 



Hereditary Chiefs of Tampin, Muar, Terachi Jempol, and 

 Gunong Pasir, to make obeisance : — 



" He Dato' Klana Petra, who rules over the territory of 

 Sungei Ujong, titah memanggil ( His Highness summons 

 you). 



Each Chief in turn replied, " Dolat Tuanku : " and one by 

 one they emerged from the enclosure ( ujong balai ) in which 

 they were seated, and squatting on the ground each proceeded 

 along the floor (hadapan mejelis ) making obeisance seven 

 times until the dais was reached : there the Yam Tuan gave 

 his right hand t'o the Chief, who, receiving it in both of his, 

 reverently kissed it thrice and then retired, making obeisance 

 five times as he receded. 



Each Chief rose and resumed his seat, with the exception of 

 the Dato' Jelebu, who left the hall after he had done homage. 



The Dato' Inas, the Dato' Gemencheh and the Dato' 

 Muda Linggi made their obeisance together and all the chief 

 Lembaga and Waris of the various districts entered and did 

 likewise. 



The Lawgivers then left the hall and retired to their re- 

 ception halls and their places were taken by all those who 

 were of Raja blood : they numbered about twenty five: they 

 were almost all dressed in yellow, several with black head- 

 cloths, and, as they all moved up the hall, and, sitting below 

 the dais, made obeisance three times in regular time, I was 

 more impressed by the scene than by anything I have ever 

 previously witnessed at any gathering of Malays. The Rajas 

 were not commanded to come forward : it was an entirely 

 voluntary act, but every one of them joined in it and it was 

 a fine finishing touch to an imposing pageant. 



Tungku Dris, Kathi of Tampin, the assistant Kathi of 

 Kuala Pilah and some priests came in and offered up prayers 

 for the Yam Tuan while the people stood with palms uplifted. 



All being now over, the Yam Tuan rose and, after shak- 

 ing hands with me, passed out of the hall and proceeded to 

 the Astana, followed by all the Rajas. 



R. A. Soc. No. 46, 1906. 



