ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

S U M A T R A . 249
The galar {cognomen), another fpecies of name; or title, as we improperly
tranflate it; is beftowed at a fubfequent, but not at any determinate period
: fometimes, as the lads rife to manhood, at an entertainment given*
by the parent, on fome particular occafion; and often at their marriage.
It is generally conferred by the old men of the neighbouring villages,
when afTembled; but inftances occur of its-being, irregularly, affumed
by the perfons themfelves; and fome never obtain any galar.- It is alfo
not unufual, at a convention held on bufinefs of importance, to change
the galar of one or two of the principal perfonages, 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 fometimes carried to an extraordinary pitch of
bombaft, as in the inftances of " Poongqonchongboomeef or " Shaker of
the world;" the title of -A p anger an of Manna. But a climax is not always
perceptible in the change..
The father, in many parts of the country, and particularly in Pajfum- Father named
mahy is diftinguifhed by the name- of his firft child; as " Pa-Laddeen" lom
or " Ta-Rindoo;" (« Pa" for " bapa," fignif} ing " the father of") and
lofes in.this acquired, his own proper name. This is a. lingular cuftom,
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 galar,
on their marriage, as with the Rejangs, among whom the filionomic s i
not fo common, though fometimes adopted, and perhaps joined with
the galar i as Raddee,i-pa-Chirano. The women never change the name
given them at the time of their birth; vet frequently they are called,
through courtefy, from their eldeft child, "'Mq fe anno" the mother
of fuch an one;" but rather as a polite defcription, than a name. The
word or particle u Se," is always prefixed to proper names of perfons,
where the name confifts of but a fingle word; as Se Bintaug; but not
Se Mallim Malleeo.
A Sumatran ever fcrupuloufly abftains from pronouncing his own name; Hefitareto
not as I underftand, from any motive of fuperftition, but merelv as a »"unce their
* own name.
punctilio