Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra13141884roya).pdf/273

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Dato' Pĕrba up to the present time, because Dato' Lěteh brought up Dato' Bangkal, and Dato' Pûtih is descended from Dato' Lĕteh, and Dato' Pĕrba is descended from Dato' Bungkal.

The following account is given of the origin of the name "Lîma Saku" in the low country:— Origin of Lîma Sûku.In the time of Pĕnghûlu Kâsir a woman of the Dato' Pĕrba's people was taken to wife by a man of the Mungkar tribe in Tampin, but his peoplo did not pay the marriage dowry. On this the Dato' Pĕrba and Dato' Pûtih after consultation summoned their people together and went to Tampin to demand the dowry; they kept up the attack for about a fortnight, but without success; then Dato' Pûtih and Dato' Pěrba called to their aid Dato' Maharâja Sĕnâra, Dato' Lêla Angsa, and Dato' Ganti Maharâja: these three agreed to help them in the affair they were engaged in, and assembled all their people and attacked Tampin, which was defeated at their first attempt; the Mungkar people admitted the dowry claim, and the matter was settled. Then the five Dato' returned to Rĕmbau, and there they agreed to act together always, and they had a feast and slaughtered buffaloes, and Pĕnghûlu Kâsir romoved to a place called Mesjid Bâtu Pûtih, where there was a great assembly and the five chiefs mentioned registered an oath with the spilling[1] of blood and under the Korân, that they would remain five elders with one Lĕmbâga, cach with his own people, but of one mind, whether advantago or injury should accrue, they should share it as long as the sun and moon, which cannot change, endure. Whichever of the fire chiefs should change or depart from the above solemn agreement, he would be punished by the testimony of the thirty books of the Korân, the Majesty of Pagar Rûyong would fall upon him, and the weapon Kâwi would make an end of him. This was the origin of the five sûkus, and thenceforth Dato' Pĕnghûlu Kâsir spoke of the four and five sûkus, in the low country, with respect to the "bĕrampat berlîma sûku,” and the "bĕrampat bĕrsĕmbilan sûku" inland. It is said that the first settling of this First settlement "di-darat," i.e. inland.

  1. Each party puts some of his blood into a cup, and then each dips his finger into the blood and conveys it to his mouth.