46
is of continually diminishing import. Everything tends to show that even if the country were left entirely to itself, the development of Acheh would gradually result in the entire dissolution of the influence of the kawōm.
None the less it has occasionally come to pass in more recent times that a lowland tribe which has greatly increased in numbers, has cherished the desire of seeing a panglima kawōm[1] established more majorum at its head.
The fulfilment of such a wish has however for a long time past depended on the concurrence of the territorial chief, the ulèëbalang. The latter first considers whether it is desirable to acquiesce in the request of the "family" whose proportions have so much increased, and further whether the proposed candidate is to be depended on to uphold the interests of his kawōm, and especially those which relate to blood feuds or bila. A territorial functionary is never selected as panglima kawōm, since the two-fold office would bring him at times into conflict with himself. If the ulèëbalang concurs in the request, the appointment is made in the presence of a solemn assembly of certain office-bearers and a number of members of the kawōm or tribe. The new leader of the tribe receives from the ulèëbalang a seunalén, that is an outfit of clothing and another of weapons, and this present binds him as it were expressly to fealty to the ruler of the country. The ulèëbalang or an experienced speaker on his behalf announces the appointment of the panglima kawōm to the assembled crowd, and finally the newly-appointed chief is smeared behind the ears (sunténg) with yellow glutinous rice, a ceremony resorted to on all sorts af solemn occasions to ward off evil influences.
The appointment of a panglima kawōm takes place in the lowland districts whenever there are satisfactory reasons for it, even though the tribe has no traditional appellation and though its connection with one of the four great tribes (kawōm or sukèë) presently to be noticed is entirely unverified. But as already observed, such appointments are of uncommon occurrence, and the fact that they belong to one of the four great kawōms is as a rule only brought home to the lowlanders by occasional troublesome demands for help and support from their unknown brethren of the highlands.
- ↑ Chief or leader of the kawōm.
