Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

500 THE SOCIAL ORDER
II.
—
Sakai.
Chiefs.
Perak Sakai.—The only functionaries of the Sakai
are the Penghulus, of whom there is one to each
village, who " is succeeded at his death by his eldest
son, or by any one else whom he may have appointed,
in default of a son, as his successor during his life-
time." ^ Over his tribe he has every right (but the
capital one), but the enforcing of his authority is mainly
due to his position.'-
When a village migrates, the Penghulu conducts
the migration ;
if more than one village is established,
the original Penghulu appoints a chief (from among
his sons or relations) to take charge of each of them.^
The chief is the equal of his fellow - tribesmen,
except when he is acting expressly on behalf of the
common interests of his village.'*
Of the Ulu Bertang (Bujang Malaka) Sakai, Dr.
Luering writes me, that they do not employ the title
of Batin, their chieftains being called " Seruyan." ^
The first " Seruyan " Dr. Luering's informant could
remember was one Ba-Naun, who is now dead, as is
his son Ba-Jelang. Ba-Naun had authority over all
Chenderiang and Dipang.
Then there are special titles given to the Sakai by
the late Sultans of Perak. " My ancestors," said the
same informant, " ' '^ were made mentri,' and
my proper
title should be Singa' mentri " (" mentri " is a Malay
title of dignitaries). Another title given by the Sultan
was that of To' Sang, who died without children, and a
1 Women excepted. Z. f. E.-^xVm. ^ This title was also given to the
167. 2 34 i3e Morgan, vii. 420. chief of the Sakai at Slim.— Swett. in
5 I have no other record of this title. J.R.A.S., S.B., No. 5, p. 59.