penghulu

Penghulu is a title used in Malay-speaking communities to denote a local leader who exercises both civil and religious authority at the village or community level. The term derives from the Malay word hulu (head) with the agentive prefix peng-, meaning “one who is in charge.” In various regions, the penghulu served as an intermediary between rulers or authorities and the people, and as a steward of customary and religious practices.

Historically, penghulus played a central role in administering adat (customary law) and overseeing Islamic rites. They often presided over local councils, mediated disputes, and were responsible for certain civil duties such as the performance of marriages, funerals, and other rites. In some areas, they also acted as tax collectors or administrators within the framework of a sultanate, colonial government, or independent state, coordinating with other officials and religious leaders, such as kadi or ulama.

Geographically, the term has been used in parts of the Malay Archipelago, including the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra (notably among Minangkabau communities), Aceh, and other Malay-speaking areas. In modern Indonesia and Malaysia, the formal administrative role of the penghulu has often been superseded by elected village heads or civil service offices. In some communities, however, the penghulu persists as a traditional or ceremonial figure within adat governance or religious life, sometimes alongside contemporary local government structures.