Note 267 — Chapter X · (continued 2)

The Bedui are to be found at three different places in Bantam. At Gunung Perahiáng, where the chief is called Girang Pohon, there are twelve families; at Gunung Párangkujang, where the chief's name is Wanklang, there are forty men and women; and at Gunang Bungbang, where the chief is called Kiang, there are twelve families. In the Rawayans, the name given to the place in which they respectively reside, this exact number is constantly preserved, by the removal of any increase that may occur, and by supplying any deficiency from those without who have not embraced the Mahomedan faith.

The history of these people, who consider themselves as descendants of Prabu Seda, the last chief of Pajajaran, is intimately connected with the period of which we are now treating, and with the establishment of Mahomedanism in the western districts. The origin of the Bedui is thus related:​—

"During the reign of Prabu Seda, the last prince of Pajajaran, he was informed that a certain recluse, named Seda Sakti, had an incestuous intercourse with his sister, and determined to punish him for thus bringing disgrace upon the country; the man pleaded his innocence to no purpose, and was put to death by being pressed between two large logs of wood, previously making a stipulation, which was deemed reasonable enough, and which obtained the concurrence of all present, viz. that if he had actually been guilty of the crime laid to his charge, his descendants might lose their religion and live in the low lands; if not, that Prabu Seda, with his nobles and court, might lose their religion and place of residence, and become for ever slaves: and as a sign that this stipulation was approved and ratified from on high, immediately the sun was eclipsed, the rain descended in torrents, the thunder roared, the earth shook, and under the mountains were heard sounds like the discharge of great guns.

"Pachukaman, son of Prabu Seda, who resided with his people at Gunung Pulusari, at the period when the Mahomedan religion was about to be introduced, apprehended the consequences of the stipulation made with Seda Sakti, and determining not to change his ancient faith on any account, he quitted the place in secret, leaving his people, of whom eight hundred, who were holy men, went in search of him in vain, and only returned to deplore his loss."

Hasen-u-din subsequently fell in with these eight hundred recluses and converted them. He afterwards invaded Pajajaran. On his return to Pulusari, he was accustomed to come down to Sirang twice in seven days to sell fruit, and in the course of time he became acquainted with every thing relative to the people of Bantam. He afterwards subdued Girang, the ancient capital, situated a few miles inland of Sirang, of which the ruins are still visible, more by means of conversion than by arms, and when firmly established, Prabu Seda and his children, who refused to become converts, were there put to the sword.

The Bedui are the descendants of those who on the fall of Pajajaran escaped into the woods, and who refused to change their religion, remaining firmly attached to that of Prabu Seda. There is a tomb of one of them which they hold sacred, and which they will not allow any one but themselves to approach, even to this day. In after times, when the Bedui submitted to the Sultan of Bantam, and shewed no disposition to oppose the Mahomedans, they were exempted from the necessity of becoming converts, upon the condition, at the time they yielded, that the number in each Rawayan allowed to profess the ancient worship should be limited[271].

When the Mahomedan religion became more generally established, it was declared that all those people who should not have embraced the faith before a certain day, should, with their descendants, be considered as outcasts or slaves. This is the origin of the people termed Abdi, and who are quite distinct from the Bedui.

The name, however, given in the Sunda traditions to the last chief of Pajajaran, is Sila Wangi; and it is from some of his original adherents, who became converts to Mahomedanism, that the present regents of the Sunda districts are descended. One of them, Guru Gantang'an, with many followers, is said to have retired to the forests on the mountain Gedé, since called Recha Domas (eight hundred images), where many rude idols are still to be found. There it is said they afterwards became extinct, and according to the notion of the Sundas, the term Per-hiang'an, still retained by the descendants from Nga-hiang, signifying annihilated, is derived from the fate of this people.