SUMATRA, 37 
ing the Malays, of whom a more particular accouflt will be given 
hereafter. 
As the mofl: dilEmilar among the other claffes into which 1 have divi- 
ded the inhabitants, muft of courle have very many points of mutual re- 
femblance, and many of their habits^ cuftoms and ceremonies, in com- 
mon, it becomes expedient, in order to avoid a troublefomc and ufeiefs 
repetition, to fuigle out one clafs from among them, whofe manners fhall 
undergo a particular and complete inveftigation, and ferve as a ilandard 
for the whole; the deviation from which, in the other claffes, iliall 
afterwards be pointed out, and the moft fmgular and Ilriking ufages 
peculiar to each, fupperadded. Various circumftances induce me, on 
this occaiion, to give the preference to the Rejangs, though a nation of Rejaogstdoj- 
but fmall account in di^ poUti<.a foaU of tke fflrind. They are placed * 
* ^ ard of dcrcrift- 
in what may be called a central fituation, not geographically, but with tioo, 
refpedt to the encroachments of foreign manners and opinions, introduc- 
ed by the Malays, from the north, and Javans from the fouth; which 
gives them a claim to originality, fuperior to that of mofl others. 
They are a people whofe form of government and whofe laws extend, 
with very little variation, over a confide r able part of the ifland, and 
principally that portion where the connexions of the Englilh lie. There 
are traditions of their having formerly fent forth colonies to the fouthvvard; 
and in the country of PalTummah, the fite of their villages is ftill pointed 
out J which would prove that they have formerly been of more confider- 
ation than they can i/u*»ft rt-prpnt. They have a proper language, and 
a perfofl written character, that is become of general ufe in many re- 
mote diftrids. Thefe advantages point out the Rajang people as an 
eligible ftandard of defer iption ; and a motive equally llrong that in- 
duces me to adopt them as fuch, is, that my iituation and connexions 
on the ifland, led me to a more intimate and minute acquaintance with 
their laws and manners, than with thofc of any other clafs, I muil 
premife however that the Malay cuftoms having made their way, in a 
greater or lefs degree, to every part of Sumatra, it will be totally ini- 
polBble to difcriminate with entire accuracy, thofe which are original, 
L trom 
