REMBAU HISTORY, ETC. 83 
her tribal chief, who shared with the Elder, and he again with 
the tribal officers (Bésar)* and male relatives of the woman 
(anak-buah), present at the surprise. Modern practice re- 
quires payment in cash to the woman, but the chiefs’ share is 
still occasionally paid in kind. In order to avoid an imagin- 
ary violation of Mohammedan law, the formula pronounced 
by the walt at the ensuing marriage (1...... jDNNEAY caoboce with a 
marhiace tee Olss........-. )* omits reference to the portion of the 
fee paid to the tribal chief and elder. Under Malay rule, though 
marriage was the necessary complement of a surprise, the man 
might suffer vicariously, if he could find a relative in his tribe 
willing to take his place. At the present day it is held that 
the man must marry in person, but he is at liberty to divorce 
the woman next day on payment of 14 marw (35 cents). 
(II). The marriage by surrender. (Sérah menyérah). 
A man desirous of effecting a marriage in this way mounts 
the verandah of the girl’s house, (panjat rwmah), takes up his 
position there, and refuses to budge. It is then open to the 
girl’s relations (waris prémpuan) to remove her and leave the 
man in undisturbed possession of the house, without light or 
food. If he persevere in his intention, he remains in the house 
dependent for light and sustenance on the charity of his own 
family : until the parents of the girl surrender to his obstinacy, 
and consent to the match. 
An Elder is competent to sanction a marriage of this 
form, on payment of the ordinary marriage fee, together with the 
fine of the  bunga pinang,” * a change of clothing, (pérsalinan) 
and the fee of the wrapping of the ring” (kain déraan 
chinchin).? Custom presumes that, with so many other 
(1) The share of the besar is 12 cents. 
(2) The Arabic mahr, or payments by groom to bride, are the 
_perquisite of the woman. Malays confuse the mas kahwin (a tribal 
payment) with the mahr, and hold erroneously that the mas kahwin is 
the personal property of the bride. 
(3) Sahia sianu nikahkan sianu dengan mas kahwin sekian. 
(4) lit : flower of the areca palm. 
(5) lit: the article on which the ring is presented—normally a 
handkerchief. 
R. A. Sac., No. 56, 1910. 
The marri- 
age by surren- 
der = (menvye- 
rah.) 
Fee payable 
on. 
The dbunga 
pinang. 
