REMBAU HISTORY, ETC. 35 
undang. He was however incapable of performing, without 
specific authorisation, any of the duties belonging by custom 
to the lémbaga. His work as overseer of the tribe was confin- 
ed to laying the needs and complaints of his people before the 
Undang, seldom with any effect. He could claim no share 
in the lémbaga’s dues which the Undang pocketed, but he 
was liable to fine for every affray, or breach of the peace, in 
the tribe under his charge. 
“ Bésar”’ of either grade have also duties as officers of the 
lémbaga’s court. No form of irregular marriage’ except 
that of ményérah* can be settled by an elder. Performance 
of the ceremonial and payment of the penalty due in settle- 
ment of other marriage irregularities are supervised on behalf 
of the tribal chief, by the  bésar,’’ who obtains 12 cents of the 
lémbaga’s fee as his share. 
The office of “bésar,’ while far from onerous, was 
under Malay rule a fearful and precarious possession. The 
birth of an illegitimate child in his tribe brought the “bésar’’ a fine 
of 1 bahara”® from the Undang. He could never escape from his 
official position. If he was found innocently gossipping be- 
neath a friend’s verandah—he was liable to fine and dismis- 
sal. Were he caught ina girl’s house (térkwrong) he could 
not save the situation merely by marriage—as any peasant 
might do—but was also fined and dismissed from office. He 
was even debarred from shouldering his coop of fowls (mé- 
ngandar) and earning an honest dollar or two as a hawker. If 
bésar, then always, and at all times, “ bésar.”’ 
(1) v. chapter IIT, sub irregular marriages. 
(2) v. chapter IT, § 2 sub Elder. 
(3) v. chapter IT, § 5 sub Undang. 
R. A. Soc., No. 56, 1910. 
Duties com- 
mon to all be- 
sar. 
