Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/333

 much sought after even by persons of some consideration. It is a position of trust, and in former times the seulangké had to take the place of the bridegroom when the latter broke his promise. For this reason he must be the equal of the bridegroom (lintō) in rank and position. He should further have that knowledge of the world and polish which bestows on an Achehnese the title of ureuëng tuha (= "elder": see p. 75 above). He must be completely master of the proper forms of social intercourse, and particularly of intimate intercourse such as this, and must be in a word an accomplished person.

Before the seulangké begins his task, the requisite appeal to lucky omens must be made. Long before the formal proposal, a sort of calculation is made which is supposed to show whether a blessing can rest on the union; for example the numerical value of the initial letters of the names of both are added together and divided by a certain number, and the remainder left over after this division shows whether it is wise to commence the negociations or not.

There are some however who prefer to place their trust in Allah and omit all calculations of this sort.

The day for the visit of the seulangké is also carefully computed by counting off against the days of the month the four following words: langkah (a pace), raseuki (breadwinning), peuteumuën (meeting), and mawòt (death). Dates on which the words raseuki or peutenmuën (the latter for preference) fall are considered favourable.

On all ceremonial occasions the Achehnese has recourse to eloquence, and time has gradually reduced to crystallized forms the "speeches" to which domestic and social life gives rise. Thus the seulangké says to the father of the girl whose hand is sought : "Your servant has directed his steps towards you, because Teuku N. has requested him so to do. He begs you to be so good as to take his child (son) as your slave". The answer runs as follows: "That would not be fitting, seeing that we be but humble folk". The seulangké now presses his suit more closely,