Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/138

 compensation in which all ceremonies are dispensed with. Indeed it sometimes happens that an injured villager on receiving compensation at the hands say of an ulèëbalang's son who has done him an injury, actually begs the latter for forgiveness.

Injuries done to persons of position by those of inferior are never atoned for without a formal request for pardon.

One of the lower orders who has committed some offence against a chief below the rank of ulèëbalang, seeks the presence of the chief with gifts, accompanied by relatives and friends who plead in his behalf. To an ulèëbalang the offender is brought wrapped up in a cloth as though he were dead or seriously ill.

Keuchiʾs or persons of higher rank who go into the presence of their ulèëbalang as penitent sinners are generally accompanied by a number of their fellows of like rank. Either the offender himself or one of his colleagues who out of friendship for him assumes the part of substitute or scapegoat, covers his head with a white cloth, and thus habited as a corpse takes his stand before the ulèëbalang's door, while his companions reiterate the cry: ''ampōn! ampōn!''

For a long time the ulèëbalang feigns to take no notice, so that nothing may be wanting to the publicity of the affair, which he deems indispensable for the satisfaction of his honour. Finally he comes for-ward and says: "It is well", whereupon the suppliants enter the house and sit down for a short time, without however being made partakers of any hospitality.

Ulèëbalangs who desired to atone by an appeal for pardon for a sin of commission or omission against the Sultan, were generally summoned to the Dalam for this purpose. Here they received from their royal master a costly platter (dalōng) on which lay an iron chain under the usual covering (a conical plaited cover = sangè and a cloth = seuhab). This served as a gentle reminder that they must consider themselves as prisoners and not return home until they had received forgiveness. Thereupon followed a discussion as to the terms of the pardon.

Towards the ulèëbalangs of Acheh proper, however, the sultans never indulged in such highhanded methods; it was only the less important chiefs of the dependencies that would submit to such ignominy.

Where the ceremony of "cooling" takes place between two persons of equal rank, the offender asks forgiveness of the injured party who is seated opposite, and to this end rises first from his place; but if the