Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese Vol II. - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/262

 the sadati for travel again constitutes the main subject; he is himself uncertain whither he will go, and whether he will travel for study or for trade, but of this he is sure, that in life or death he will remain faithful and attached to his daléms. Passing mention is made of a number of seats of religious learning.

Another kisah which is sung by the daléms and repeated by the sadati verse by verse, comprises some remarks on the method of calculating the proper hour for commencing a contest (with special reference to the sadati-contest), a prayer of the sadati for strength to enable him to gain the victory, and certain geographical particulars with regard to the environs of the capital of Acheh.

Another, which is recited in the same way as the last, contains, besides some disconnected allusions, a fragment from the story of Diwa Sangsaréh, which forms the subject of a popular hikayat.

A fourth, which is intoned partly by the sadati (with an accompaniment) and partly by the daléms, consists of one or two metaphors (for instance, one regarding the heavenly recompense for ritual prayers), one or two riddles, and finally a challenge addressed to the opposite party.

A fifth, which is sung by the sadati to a slow tune (lagèë jareuëng) and accompanied by the daléms, consist simply of such challenges.

A sixth contains similar challenges recited by the daléms, in succession to a riddle intoned by the sadati.

So the performance goes on during the course of the morning; the second party laying itself out to give mocking or jesting answers to the questions put by the first, and to repay all their sneers two-fold.

One or two hours before midday the party which has been sitting down and resting stands up once more, and now both sides recite together, each its own kisah in its own way, to that it is impossible to understand what they are saying, especially as each side tries to shout their opponents down.

The sadatis approach closer and closer to one another, and would often come to blows, were it not that the authorities of the gampōngs engaged interfere and put an end to the contest about midday. The initiative to the closing of the performance is given by the master of the house, who has meanwhile caused rice and its accessories to be got ready for the players. At his request two elders one from each gam-