SUMATRA. % 
The gakr (c&gftmen)^ another fpecies of name ; or title, as we improperly 
tranilateit; is beftowed at a fubfequent, but not at any determinate pe- 
riod : fometimesj as the lads- rife to manhood, at an entertainment given 
by the parent, on fome particular occalion; and often at their marriage. 
It is generally conferred by the old men of the neighbouring vilJages, 
when aflembled ; but inflances occur of its being, irregularly, aflumed* 
by the perfons themfelves; and fome never obtain zny ^akr* It is alfo 
not unufual, at a convention held on buCnefs of importance, to change 
the gaiar of one or two of the principal perfonages^j to others of fuperior 
eftimation ; though it is not eafy to difcover in what this preeminence 
confifts; the appellations being entirely arbitrary, at the fancy of the 
conferers : perhaps in the loftier found, or more pompous allufion in* 
the fenfe, which latter is fometlmes carried to an extraordinary pitch of 
bombaft, as in the inftances of " PoongQonchofigh€om€ey^ or '* Shaker of 
the worlds" the title of ^pangeran of Manna^ But a climax is not al* 
ways perceptible in the change. 
The father, in many parts of the country, and particularly in Pajfum- Father oamea 
mahf IS difting^ilhcd by the name of kia firft cKild; as Pa-Laddeifli^ from his cMd* 
or « Fa-EJfidoc (*' Pa" for « bapa;' fignifying the father of ") and 
lofes in this acquired, his own proper nanie. This is a Angular cuHom, 
and furely lefs conformable to the order of nature, than that which names 
the fon from the father. There, it is not ufual to give them a gaiar, 
on their marriage, as with the Rejangs, among whom the filmimk h 
not fo common, though fometimes adopted, and perhaps joined with 
xhtgalari^ as Raddee^i-p^'Ckirano. The women never- change the name 
given them at the time of their birth; yet Irequently they are called^ 
through courtefy, from tbeir eldeft child, ** A^a fe. ama/* the mother 
of fuch an one;*' but rather as a polite defcription, than a name* The 
word or particle, ** Se/\ is always prefixed to proper names of perfons, 
where the name confifts of but a fingle word; as Se Biutangi but not 
Se MdUm Malleeo, 
A Sumatran ever fcrupulbufly abflains from pronouncing his own name ; Hcfitafetopro- 
not, as I URderftand, from any motive of fuperflition, but merely as a n^^ite their 
' J J jt ^ J ^j^yjj name. 
punctilio 
