Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. X NEGRITOS OF PERAK 499
among themselves, and to be teachers of religion to
their people.'
They formerly had great power as priests, sor-
cerers, and medicine-men.- " The tribesman went
to the Sna-hut, the Sna-hut to the Putto, the Putto
to Pie, and Pie to Kari," ^ these last two being the
two chief deities of the Semang.
De Morgan gives us the following general
account ^ of the social constitution of the Semang of
Perak. The political and administrative organisation
of the Negritos is, like that of the Sakai, exceedingly
simple. In every " changkat " or village there is a
functionary invested with full powers, who is called
by the Malays " Penghulu." These Penghulus are all
of equal standing, and own no superior, whether in
the shape of a Raja or any higher assembly. Hence
each Penghulu has absolute authority in his own
village.
On the occurrence, it is true, of any dispute
between the villages, an assembly of the Penghulus
of the villages concerned will take place, and to these
may be added a few men who are specially well versed
in affairs ; but these assemblies are altogether ex-
ceptional, and are only occasioned by the necessity
of composing private interests.
'
Complete equality exists as between individuals,
and caste is unknown. Even the chief is on an equal
footing with his men, except when in discharge of his
official duties.
To the foregoing it should be added that all their
property is in common.
' Vaughan-Stevens, iii. 103.
* De Morgan, vii. 420 ; cp. /,'//.
' Ibid. p. 109. ii. 558.
^ Ibid. p. 107. ^ J. I. A. vol. iv. p. 427, sea qiurre.