Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese Vol II. - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/245

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world who can resist his might. The place where he takes his stand becomes a sea; a storm ariseth there like unto the rainstorms of the keunòng sa[1]. The water around him ebbs and flows again. Thus shall you know the demon of the Meuseugit Raya.—In the Darōy river is a terrible sanè[2]; let no man suffer his shadow to fall on him, lest evil overtake him.—In the Raja Umòng[3] is the sanè Chéʾbréʾ[4], over whom no human being however great his strength, can prevail.

Answering salutation.Answering salutation of the party B. Hail to you, oh noble teungkus! I lay my hands upon my head.

Here followeth the salutation ordained by the sunat for the use of all Moslims towards a new-comer, come he from where he may[5].

I wish to salute you in token of respect, I stretch forth my hands as a mark of my esteem. I make three steps backwards in token of self-abasement, for such is the custom of the gently bred. My teacher has instructed me, teungkus, first to make salutation and then to welcome the new-comer. After the salutation I clasp your hands; last follows the offering of sirih.

Kisah.Kisah in conclusion of this nasib. Hear me, my friends, I celebrate the name of Raja Beureuhat. A marvellous hero is this Raja Beureuhat, unsurpassed throughout the whole world. When he moves his feet the ground shakes; when he raises up his hands there is an earthquake. On the sea he has ships, and steeds upon the land. Now I turn to wondrous deeds[6]. In Gampōng Jawa the heavens are greatly overcast; storms of rain and thunder and lightning come up. Cocoanut trees are cleft in twain; think upon it, my friends who stand without. But I would remind you that if you will not enter the lists with us, it is better to wait. If there are any among you teungkus, that are ready to match themselves against us let them marshal their ranks. If their ranks are not in proper order, then will I have no relationship with you (i. e.


  1. See Vol. I, p. 256.
  2. See Vol. I, p. 409.
  3. This is the name of the great expanse of cultivated land lying on the borders of the Dalam (royal residence and fortified enclosure) of Acheh.
  4. Chéʾbréʾ or chibréʾ is the name of a tree known as juar in Java, where it is extensively used as a shade-tree on the roadsides.
  5. The words "Here followeth" to "where he may" are in very corrupt Arabic pronounced in the Achehnese fashion.
  6. Here the speaker, while apparently alluding to the miraculous deeds of Raja Beureuhat is really referring to the wondrous performance by which he and his party mean to drive their opponents from the field. The sequel is a more or less contemptuous challenge.