SUMATRA 
185 
world, the system is communal. The country is divided 
into saguis, corresponding to the mar gas of the Lam- 
pongers and Battaks, to which we shall have presently 
to refer. There are three of these clans, called the 
“XXII” "XXV," and "XXVI Muldms,” from the 
number of districts each comprises—the muhim being 
a partly religious, partly political division. Formerly 
each of the three saguis was administered by a Chief 
Panglima of the Sultan, but the Dutch claim to have 
abolished the title. One died in battle, another is an 
adherent of the Dutch, and the third is one of their 
most redoubtable enemies, whose headquarters are at or 
near Pedir, and who is said to command about 100,000 
men, of whom 20,000 are armed with breech-loading 
rifles of modern pattern. Each muhim is ruled by head¬ 
men, and in its turn is subdivided into binasas or town¬ 
ships, each of which enjoys self-government, the law 
being administered by a council of elders. 
The Achenese are Mohammedans, but, like others of 
this sect in the archipelago, are by no means strict, and 
have never distinguished themselves by their persecution 
of other religionists. This tolerant spirit is illustrated 
by the saying current among their neighbours, that “ an 
Achenese will curse a Christian, and then invite him to 
bread and salt.” Their chief amusements appear to be 
fighting, gambling, and opium-smoking. The soil is for 
the most part not very fertile, but pepper, camphor, and 
other commodities are produced for the foreign market, 
and of late, in consequence of the war, a considerable 
quantity of rice for home consumption. The civets also 
yield a valuable product, and their breeding is said to 
form a special branch of industry. 
The main characteristic of the Achenese is his love of 
fighting. Every man is a soldier, and every village thus 
