140
selves behind him. A huge crowd watched the ceremony from a little distance.
The first to approach were the panglima of the XXVI Mukims and Teuku Nèʾ, both of whom, accompanied by their attendants, advanced close to the wall within which the platform stood.
One of the kalis, Teungku Lam Paya[1] of the XXV Mukims, thereupon recited a form of nomination introduced by the following words from the Qurān (IV, 62): "Obey Allah and his Messenger and those among you who be clad with authority." This utterance was repeated in a loud tone by the Teuku Kali so that all the people might hear. After the conclusion of the form of nomination, the Teuku Kali called the panglima of the XXVI Mukims thrice in succession by his official title, to which the latter and his followers replied each time with a loud "dèëlat!" almost equivalent to "Yes, Your Majesty!"
The panglima and his attendants then drew aside to make room for his fellow-official of the XXV Mukims; with him, and after him with the panglima of the XXII, the above ceremony was repeated, while the presence of Teuku Nèʾ at all three installations gave evidence of his intimate relation with the royal house.
Order of precedence of the three sagis.The official order of precedence of the three sagis on ceremonial occasions is always that here given, viz. XXVI, XXV, XXII. One might almost conjecture that this sequence was fixed according to the original number of mukims in each sagi, and that once so established it was always adhered to. Judging by their relative importance the order of precedence should be reversed.
We may further observe that the coronation of the sovereign was and remained a contract with the three panglimas, though the choice of a sultan was governed to a great extent by entirely different influences.
Significance of the sultan and the Dalam.The Dalam (usually called Kraton by the Dutch) and all that it contained, including the sultan himself, were since the earliest times the objects of a somewhat extraordinary reverence in the minds of the Achehnese, though this never prevented them from making a football of the sultanate at their pleasure. This feeling of reverence was founded partly on the fact that the Dalam was the centre and apparently the origin of the glory of a past almost fabulous in comparison with later
- ↑ As to precedence in rank of this kali see p. 101 above.
