Penghulu

Portrait of a penghulu from a Royal Netherlands Geographical Society expedition to Central Sumatra in the late 19th century (photo by D.D. Veth)

Penghulu is the headman or chief of a region in traditional Malay society.

Traditionally, the Minangkabau who at the end of the 17th century settled at Negeri Sembilan, in present-day Malaysia, chose from among themselves a "penghulu" or headman. Several of these penghulus, notably that of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau, became powerful enough to exalt themselves above other penghulus. By the early part of the 18th century, the leaders of these four districts started calling themselves Undang.

The word "Penghulu" is cognate with the Tagalog "Pangulo", which now refers to a National President.

See also

• Adat