Penghulu

Traditionally, the Minangkabau who at the end of the 17th Century settled at Negeri Sembilan, in present day Malaysia, chose from amongst 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.