Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

512 THE SOCIAL ORDER vart ii
In the work of government (added the relater),
the Batin, in the forest, was guided by the ancient
customs (" Selasila' "), or what used to be done from
times of old; the Penghulu, in his Hall of Audience
(" Balei "), by the written laws (" Berundang ") ; and
the Raja, in his Palace ("Astana"), by equity
("'Adilan")/
Laws.
Crimes were very rare. Theft was unknown,
and children were carefully instructed to avoid it. 2
Property and Succession.
Mantra.—Amongst the Mantra the distribution of
property on the death of the husband was as follows :
the goods which belonged to the husband before the
marriage went to his parents and brothers and sisters.
Those acquired during the marriage were divided
equally between these relations and his widow, who,
however, was considered as a trustee for the children.
The clearing ("ladang") was inherited by her. On
the death of the wife, in the event of her husband
surviving, her antenuptial goods go to her children,
and the goods in common are equally shared between
the husband and the children, who leave their father
and live with the nearest female relatives of their
deceased mother.^
The Family.
Benua-Jakun.—The Benua family was an innocent
and happy one, and mutual kindness prevailed on
^ J. I. A. vol. i. p. 327*. Penghulu "Adilan = Moi)ammedan law.
here = the chief of the State, Raja= ^ Ibid. p. 330*.
head of the confederation of States, and ^ Ibid. pp. 274, 275.