Browse Items (122 total)

  • Collection: Journal of the Malayan Branch Royal Asiatic Society.

The article details the characteristics, historical usage, and regional significance of the Kedah harvesting knife, also known as pisau penggiau, particularly its unique design and the dwindling traditional practice associated with it.

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During Rama II’s reign, a Malay mission traveled to Bangkok aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties and negotiate political matters. The mission highlighted the close but sometimes complicated relationship between the Malay states and the Siamese…

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The article by Rev. Fr. R. Cardon narrates a local tradition from the Malacca Pindah district, describing how Bukit Greja once belonged to Christians, detailing the arrival of priests and the establishment of a church and monastery, along with the…

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A special letter was written by a missionary who knew Munshi Abdullah personally. He quoted that Munshi Abdullah was a smart man who loved reading and writing. The letter helps us learn more about his life, thoughts, and how he worked with people…

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A fresh reconstruction of Sultan Mansur Shah’s palace in Malacca offers new insights into Malay royal architecture and historical design. Based on archaeological findings and historical records, the study gives a clearer picture of the palace’s…

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The article by R. O. Winstedt discusses the discovery of a tomb in North Sumatra with a unique Persian inscription, highlighting the historical significance and connections of Pasai, as well as the prominence of the name Husam al-Din in its history.

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The article by G. G. Hough explores the non-Islamic features of Malay graves, suggesting possible connections between the burial practices of the Jakun and certain Malay graves, despite the religious rites being predominantly Islamic.

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The article by D.E. Short and James C. Jackson reviews the development of irrigation policies in Malaya before the establishment of the Drainage and Irrigation Department, highlighting the significant investments in irrigation projects and the shift…

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The article provides an overview of Brunei's history, highlighting the neglect in scholarly attention towards its historical records, languages, and ancient tombs, and the need for further research and preservation of its cultural heritage.

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The article by Alastair Lamb discusses the search for the ancient port town of Kalah, looking at two possible sites in Malaysia and Thailand, both of which have important artifacts that might show they were once major trading hubs.

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Ahmat Majanu’s tombstone at Pengkalan Kempas is very old and special. It has writing in two scripts which is Jawi and Kawi which shows a mix of Islamic and older local cultures. The tomb belongs to a man named Sheikh Ahmad Majnun, and the writing…

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The article by R. O. Winstedt explores the connections between Alexander the Great and various Malay and Sumatran legends, particularly the association of Mount Meru and Chula with Alexander, drawing on historical sources and folklore to illustrate…

The article by Dato Sir Roland Braddell recounts the life and maritime adventures of his maternal grandfather, John Roberts Kirby, through his autobiographical "Life's Log," highlighting his voyages, family history, and the historical context of his…

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Anglo-Kedah relations between 1688 and 1765 were shaped by trade interests, diplomacy, and shifting regional power. The English East India Company sought access to Kedah’s resources and strategic ports, while Kedah’s rulers tried to balance foreign…

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The article by N. W. Simmonds provides a general survey of primitive archery in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, based on his travels in 1954-55, with a focus on botanical and technological aspects, supplemented by museum and library studies.

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The Baba Malay dialect is a special way of speaking used by the Baba Nyonya people, who are part Chinese and part Malay. It mixes Malay, Chinese, and a little bit of English. This dialect started a long time ago when Chinese people came to live in…

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The Chewong, also known as Siwong, are a small indigenous group in Peninsular Malaysia with unique beliefs, especially about nature and the spirit world. Their way of life is deeply tied to the forest, with customs that emphasize harmony, sharing,…

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The article by R. O. Winstedt examines the historical possibility that the Pasai Sultanate ruled Kedah in the 14th century, using evidence from a Malay sha'ir and various historical records to support the claim.

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Dutch records from Malacca, dating from 1685 to 1835, are preserved in the India Office Records at the British Library in London. These documents, transferred from Malacca in 1927, include materials from the Orphan Chamber and the Council of Justice,…

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Chinese writings from the 18th and 19th centuries describe the Malay Peninsula as a place full of trade, different cultures, and natural resources. These accounts show how Chinese travelers and officials viewed the region, focusing on its people,…

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Elephants and water played important symbolic and practical roles in seventeenth-century Acheh’s feasting ceremonies. Elephants were a sign of power and status, often featured in grand celebrations, while water rituals helped bless and purify events.…

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A checklist of English-language fiction linked to Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei is presented, covering works by both local and foreign writers. It serves as a useful guide for those interested in how these countries have been portrayed through…

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The article by Rev. Fr. J. Staal explores the folklore, historical settlement, and cultural characteristics of the Sadong Dayaks, emphasizing their timid nature, land disputes, and the gradual disappearance of their legends and traditions.

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The article by C. A. Gibson-Hull provides a brief biography of George Samuel Windsor Earl, highlighting his early life, career as a sailor, interest in languages, and contributions to translations and publications, despite the lack of detailed…

The article by Stanley J. O'Connor and Tom Harrisson explores the practice of placing gold-foil amulets in burials across Bali, the Philippines, and Borneo, highlighting the cultural significance and possible influences of this tradition.

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The article by John Bastin discusses the historical document "A Historical Sketch of the circumstances which led to the settlement of Penang & of the Trade to the Eastward previous to, and since that period" from 1794.

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The article by Prince John Lowenstein discusses the discovery of various types of neolithic ceramics, specifically hollow clay stands and censers, at different excavation sites in northern Malaya, highlighting their unique shapes and dimensions.

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Sir Hugh Clifford’s stories paint a picture of Malaya during British colonial times, focusing on village life, local customs, and the relationship between the British and Malays. His writing reflects both admiration and a colonial mindset, giving…

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Jawi literature in Patani has played a key role in preserving Islamic teachings and cultural identity in the region. Through religious texts, poetry, and legal writings in the Jawi script, local scholars maintained a strong connection to Islamic…

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The Mao K'un with the Zheng he Voyages used a star charts instead of the ocean navigations. But there are mislabeled star chart title of navigational diagrams by Needham. Also there are some problems in identifying stars with sailors' and names'.…

The passage describes how early sailors used the Pole Star, Polaris or navigation before the 1470s. Because Polaris appeared nearly fixed in the sky, its altitude helped sailors estimates latitude, although it was not perfectly alighed with the North…

The marine compass was an important tool for navigation because it showed direction at sea. However, a compass 'course' is different from a 'bearing". Early compasses ranged from simple magnetized needles floating in water to more advanced…

Instead of relying only on military force, it focused on cutting off support to the Malayan National Liberation Army by relocating rural populations into controlled New Villages. This prevented guerrillas from getting food and supplies while security…

The Panembahan lived on an island called Trusan, where the village of Gelaherang was located. This had been the capital. The river was navigable for small local boats, which could reach the town and anchor at a spot known as Lubuk Sauh.

Evidence from the 1431 Chinese expedition demonstrates that sailors adapted flexibly to changing wind systems. Rather than strictly following a fixed directional cycle, fleets could travel both eastward and westward within the same monsoon season.…

The passage explain that sailing routes were heavily influenced not just by wind direction but by seasonal weather conditions. Stormy monsoon periods often made certain coastal harbors in accessible, such as the east coast of the Malay peninsula…

The text correct the misconception that the southwest monsoon moves in a straightward diagonal path from Africa to Southeast Asia. In reality, it develops progressively, beginning near Aceh, then reaching Sri Lanka, and finally the west coast of…

The term navigation did not the originally mean precise position-finding as it does today. It referred broadly to guiding a ship across open waters., while pilotage described navigation near coastlines using visible landmarks.

The development of modern navigation techniques began in Europe during the late 15th century, not the early 1420s as often misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, Prince Henry the Navigater did not initiate advanced oceanic navigations for voyages…

Portuguese adapted and simplified earlier Arabic instruments such as quadrants and astrolabes. These tools were modified to measure the altura in degrees, making them more practical for sailors. Additionally, nautical almanacs that is derived from…

Navigation reminded far from precise. Mariners could not accurately determine their exact geographic position. The concept of locating a ship at the intersection of latitude and longitude was largely theoretical and confined to scholars. Longitude…

Even experienced navigators, including Arab seafarers known for their advanced techniques, did not use latitude in the modern sense. This reliance on celestial height measurements persisted for centuries, with some English sailors continuing the…

The marine charts from the early times were showing a recognizable Mediterranean and northwestern shoulder of Africa without latitude and longitude. Arabs used a chart that were inspired by Portuguese. The Mao K'un maps named a later compiler found…

Voyage routes ran in lines followed parallel to an irregular coastline and they provided the navigation with a direct picture of the coast but it was not possible to fix these. They are more like the straight line guides of the LondonUndergraund with…

Sailing directions were recorded in East and West for both coasting and open sea voyages. For example, 5the knowledge of the various trade routes with directions and favorable winds, and description of the coastlines. Office are termed as Pilots…

There is no other instruments but Mao K'un maps for open ocean navigations. Star altitude were added for the first time when crossing the mouth of the bay of Bengal .

The introduction explains how the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial presents Tun Abu Razak Hussein as a model national leader to support nation-building. using Benedict Anderson's theory, the passage argues that museums are used by governments to shape…

William Edward Maxwell was a toddler in 1847, and in1867, the colonies of the British which is Penang, Malacca, and Singapore were governed by India. And, the Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements was established. Then almost civil servats were…

William Maxwell studies land tenure system since the influence of British in the Malay states grew and proper system of registration of land titles and boundaries was needed to create revenue from the occupied land. And he bring a new uniform known…

About Sir B.P. Maxwell and His contribution. Sir Peter Benson Maxwell( W.E. Maxwell's father) went to the Penang to take a position of Supreme Court Judge. After several years later, he published a book known as" Our Malay Conquests", epitomizing a…
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