Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/165

 in some trifling details from the other deeds which the chiefs on this side of the "linie" or Dutch pale have succeeded in obtaining by pilgrimages to Keumala.

At the top of such sarakatas in the middle of the sheet, we find the chab sikureuëng or "ninefold seal" whence the documents derive their common name. This contains the name of the reigning sultan in the central space, and in eight circular spaces surrounding it the names of eight celebrated sultans who preceded him, and whose blessing is thus invoked on the deed. The choice of these eight names rests with the reigning sultan; those of Eseukanda Muda (Meukuta Alam), par excellence the prince of old Acheh, and of the immediate predecessors of the reigning king are never omitted, but great freedom of choice is shown as regards the rest.

On some of these documents there stands at the side of this seal the small rectangular private seal of the reigning prince.

In the preamble, which is somewhat magniloquent and besprinkled with Arabic words and phrases, the blessing of Allah, of the Prophet, the saints (of whom Abdul-Qādir Jilānī is specially named as the prince of mystics) and the deceased kings of blessed memory is invoked upon the sultan's decree. Of his predecessors, sometimes the whole eight who appear in the seal, sometimes only two or three are invoked by name. The sultan then reminds the ulèëbalang, whom he recognizes as the successor in office of his forefathers, of the obligations which he lays upon him. The enumeration of the duties, however, teaches us nothing in regard to the nature of