Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/332

 Java, and especially those from Krinchi, who in earlier times often made a long stay in Acheh or settled there permanently. But the better class of Achehnese have always objected and still object to giving their daughters in marriage to the Klings (Kléng), who are specially known as "strangers" (ureuëng dagang). Only such Klings as have amassed some wealth as traders or have the reputation of religious learning are allowed to wed the daughters of Achehnese of consideration.

The doctrine of Islam, that there exists no such thing as a mésalliance for a man, is also liberally applied; yet men set a high value on alliances which connect them with good families. Both for the honour of it, and also for political reasons, an ulèëbalang always tries to obtain the daughter of one of his equals in rank as a wife for his son. The tuanku prefers to choose his consort from among his own relatives or the families of the great ulèëbalangs. Most marriages of chiefs and of their nearest relatives are regulated by purely political considerations. At present they are not as a rule concluded without the consent of the Dutch Government. The best way of allaying a feud between two clans consists in bringing about a marriage between a man of the one and a girl of the other. Women who are far beneath their husbands in position generally take the second, third or fourth place in the ranks of his spouses.

A young man usually marries for the first time at the age of from 16 to 20 years. The proposal comes from his side; the custom prevalent in West Java, according to which the father of a young girl seeks out a suitable son-in-law, is regarded as incorrect by the Achehnese. "The well does not look for the bucket", they say. After numerous confidential discussions between the parents of both parties the first official (though in form also confidential) step is taken through a go-between called seulangké.

Although to outward seeming the seulangké simply renders hireling service, for which he is allowed by the adat a recompense of one dollar for every bungkay (25 dollars) of the dowry, the post is one