Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese Vol II. - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/215

 smaller rumòhs on the right of the dotted live ab, which of course gives them a much worse chance.

A more serious variation of the wrestling bouts which lads of different gampōngs hold with each other, is to be found in the meutaʾ-tham ("pushing and resisting"). This is also called meukruëng-kruëng "the river-game", as it is often played on the banks of rivers or creeks. In Pidië it is called meugeudeu-geudeu. It is played by full-grown youths, generally of sides chosen from two different gampōngs, and preferably in the evenings or at night at the time of the full moon.

The two sides are composed of an equal number of champions who meet on some wide open space, often in the presence of a great crowd of onlookers. One side (whose task is tham = "to withstand" and dròb = "to catch") is drawn up in line and keeps watch on their opponents. The latter endeavour to give each of their adversaries a push and then to run away at the top of their speed so as if possible to reach a boundary line far in their rear, before being overtaken by one of their enemies. Should one of them succeed in gaining the boundary unopposed after pushing an opponent, then he who received the thrust is reckoned dead; but the latter and his fellows (for more than one may pursue the fugitive) do their best to catch the assailant before he reaches the refuge. He for his part resists his capture with might and main, and none of his own side are allowed to help him. Thus sanguinary battles often occur; when once taken captive the fugitive is dead, whilst he whom he pushed remains alive. As soon as the whole side is dead, the order of the game is reversed.

Keuchiʾs, elders or panglimas are in the habit of attending these fighting games to prevent all serious violence. A prisoner who continues to resist through rage against his fate, they admonish to surrender; and they remind players who indulge in revengeful language through annoyance at a blow or push, that they have joined in the game of their own free will and have no right in any case to cherish revengeful feelings such as might display themselves in earnest when the game was over.

As we see, games savouring of war are very popular in Acheh. But we must not forget that it was necessary for the police to intervene before the main pukulan at Batavia and the prang desa in other parts of Java could be brought within bounds and rendered as harmless as they now are.