Browse Items (122 total)

• TextGuillemardMaxwell

  The Guillemard-Maxwell Power Struggle, 1921-1925

  A power struggle between Governor Guillemard and Chief Secretary Maxwell shaped British Malaya's administration between 1921 and 1925. The conflict was marked by clashing views on governance, leadership style, and control over policy decisions. Their rivalry exposed deeper issues within the colonial system and influenced the direction of political and administrative reforms during that time.
• TexthospitalSingapore...1 more

  Singapore's Pauper and Tan Tock Seng Hospitals. Part Two.

  It appeared that there was a conflict between the hospital and the colonial government. The colonial government refused to help the hospital when they were caught in debt despite the hospital serves the colonial needs apart from the poor Chinese communities in Singapore.
• TextChinesekongsi

  The word Kongsi: a Note

  This short piece explains the meaning and use of the word "Kongsi," which refers to Chinese partnerships or associations, especially in Southeast Asia. It highlights how the term was linked to trade, community support, and even self-governing groups among Chinese migrants.
  
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asisatic Society

  The English ship captains sailed in Asian water had been sailing in the region for twelve years such as from Bengal to Batavia it called Penang, via the stag called at Malacca.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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.
• TextIslamJawi...2 more

  Jawi Literature in Patani: The Maintenance of An Islamic Tradition

  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 traditions despite political challenges and external pressures. This literary tradition reflects the deep roots of Islam in Patani and its importance in shaping community values and education.
• akademiksiam

  The Relinquishment by the United states of Extraterritoriality in Siam

  The article by Victor Purcell examines the historical context and reasons behind the United States relinquishing its extraterritorial rights in Siam, highlighting the delay from 1909 to 1920 and comparing it to Britain's earlier actions influenced by the rise of nationalism in the Far East.
• Textbruneifamily...1 more

  Tomb of 'The King of Brunei' in Nanking

  Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan of Brunei, also known as the King of Boni, died in 1408 while visiting the Ming court in Nanjing. Honoring his wish to be buried in China, the Yongle Emperor arranged a royal funeral and had him interred at Shizi Hill, just outside the southern gate of the city. The tomb, forgotten for centuries, was rediscovered in 1958 and is now part of a scenic area that includes a Brunei-style park and the China-Brunei Friendship Hall. This site reflects the deep historical ties between Brunei and China, dating back to early diplomatic exchanges and cultural connections.
• TextBajau

  Ngaju-Bajau significant early term usages in Southeast Asia

  Discussed the misinterpreted usage of the term "Bajau". The term does not only represent an ethnic in Sabah, but its also the name of a river. Bajau represents a vast ethnic in the Borneo Island, not limited to one ethnicity.
• akademikMalacca

  A Malay Tradition

  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 conversion of local aborigines to Christianity.
• akademikdayak

  Folklore of Sadong Dayaks

  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.
• TextBaba NyonyaDialect...1 more

  Baba Malay Dialect

  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 Malaysia and married local Malays. It’s a fun and unique language that shows their mixed culture.
• akademik

  The Fishing Methods of Singapore

  In "The Fishing Methods of Singapore," T. W. Burdon discusses the evolution of fishing techniques in Singapore from the pre-settlement era to the 1950s.
• TextsabahSandakan

  Sandakan 1879-1979

  Sandakan is a town in Sabah, Malaysia. It tells how the town started, grew, and changed over a century or approximately 100 years. Sandakan was important for trade, especially timber, and many people from different places came to live there. The book also talks about hard times, like wars, and how the town rebuilt itself.
• akademikbali...2 more

  Gold-foil Burial Amulets in Bali, Philippines and Borneo

  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.
• TextChewong

  Chewong (Siwong) in Perspective

  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, and avoiding conflict. Looking at them in context highlights the richness of indigenous knowledge and the challenges they face in a changing world.
• akademik

  Temer Names

  The article by Rodney Needham explores the use of death-names among the Penan people of middle Borneo, which are names assumed upon the death of close relatives and are based on the birth order of children, discussing the possibility of a similar system among the Temer people of Perak.
• TextcustomsMalay collection...1 more

  The Hervey Malay Collection in the Wellcome Institute

  The Hervey Malay Collection at the Wellcome Institute holds a wide range of materials on Malay culture, gathered by D.F.A. Hervey in the early 20th century. It includes manuscripts, dictionaries, and notes on customs and medicinal plants from regions like Pahang, Terengganu, and Negeri Sembilan. The collection offers valuable insights into local traditions, especially Adat Perpatih, and reflects colonial-era efforts to document and understand Malay society. Researchers have found it useful for studying the intersection of language, law, and culture in the Malay world.
• Alexander the Great and the Mount Meru and Chula Legend

  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 these links.
• akademikkedah

  Kulanggi or Gulanggi

  The article by R. O. Winstedt discusses the various romanizations and interpretations of the name "Gulanggi" or "Kulanggi" found in the Kedah Annals, highlighting its connection to the romance of Hikayat Amir Hamzah and the author's influences from that literary work
• akademikMelayu...1 more

  Valentijn's copy of the Sejarah Melayu

  The article by R. O. Winstedt compares the ages and reigns of rulers in different versions of the "Malay Annals," highlighting the inconsistencies and the historical significance of Valentijn's now-lost copy, which followed the older Malacca text.
• akademikkedah...1 more

  Did Pasai Rule Kedah in the XIVth Century ?

  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.
• akademikpasai

  A Pasai Chief with A Persian Memorial Inscription

  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.
• akademikJohor...1 more

  Malay Titles

  The article by R. O. Winstedt discusses the historical Malay titles, detailing their specific meanings and rules of descent, based on ancient customs and traditions from Malacca and Johor.
• TextArabMunshi Abdullah...1 more

  Munshi Abdullah's Arab Teachers

  Munshi Abdullah’s Arab teachers had a strong influence on his education and thinking, especially in the areas of religion, language, and literature. Through them, he gained a deep understanding of Arabic and Islamic teachings, which shaped his later writings and reformist views. Their guidance helped bridge traditional Islamic scholarship with the emerging modern ideas in the Malay world.
• TextBangkokMalay...1 more

  A Malay Mission to Bangkok during the reign of Rama II

  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 kingdom, reflecting efforts to maintain peace and manage influence in the region.
• Textperaksuccession...1 more

  Succession to the Perak Sultanate

  Succession in the Perak Sultanate follows a unique and complex system based on seniority and rotating titles among royal family members. Rather than direct inheritance from father to son, the system promotes individuals through a ranked structure, with each title serving as a step toward the throne. This method helps maintain balance and tradition within the royal court while ensuring experienced leadership.
• akademikneolithic

  Hollow Clay Stand and Censers from Neolithic Malaya, and their western Prototypes

  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.
• akademik

  The Origin of the Malayan Metal Age

  In "The Origin of the Malayan Metal Age," Prince John Lowenstein, Ph.D., examines the delayed arrival of civilization in Malaya. While Europe and the ancient Near East advanced in metal use thousands of years earlier.
• TextAbd Al-Ra 'ūf's Tarjumān Al-Mustafīd

  The Sources of Abd Al-Ra 'ūf's Tarjumān Al-Mustafīd

  Abd al-Ra’ūf’s Tarjumān al-Mustafīd, a Malay tafsir (Qur'anic commentary), draws heavily from earlier Arabic sources, particularly the works of al-Baydawi and al-Khazin. By adapting these texts into Malay, Abd al-Ra’ūf made Islamic teachings more accessible to local audiences. His work reflects both deep religious scholarship and a desire to spread Islamic knowledge within the cultural context of the Malay world.
• Textpenghuluperak...1 more

  Penghulus in Perak and Selangor: Rationalisation and decline of A Traditional Malay Office

  Penghulus in Perak and Selangor once held important roles as local leaders, responsible for maintaining order, settling disputes, and managing village affairs. Over time, their influence declined due to colonial restructuring, the rise of modern bureaucracy, and changing political dynamics. The rationalisation process turned the role into a more administrative position, reducing its traditional authority and cultural significance.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Asiatic Society

  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 instruments. The Chinese were the first to invent the magnetic compass, and during the Ming dynasty they developed it further by mounting it on a detailed diving board.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Asiatic Society

  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 Pole. The text also explains that Polaris was less useful in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean., where sailors relied more on coastal navigation. Araba and Chinese navigators used simple tools such as the kamal and star plates to measure star height above the horizon fo guidance at sea.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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 .
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of Royal Asiatic Society

  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'. Zheng aids to navigation but only approximate geographical coastal positions can be found.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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 after fitting their modern equivalents that include geographical descriptions and commercial information.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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 pretty pictures.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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 in the Wu-pei chin were written with text, and are of no standard siza or orientation.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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 practice into the Victorian era.
• Journal of the Malayan branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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 was especially difficult to measure and could only be estimated, while latitude was not fully conceptualized as it is today. Instead, sailors relied on measuring the altitude of stars, rather than understanding latitude as a coordinate systems.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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 Arabic knowledge were introduced, incorporating solar data alongside stellar observations.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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 to Asia. Rather, it was under king John ll of Portugal in the 1470s that significant progress occured. His directive aimed to improve navigation after Portuguese sailors crossed the equator in search of the legendary figure Prester John.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

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

  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 India.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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 during the musim tutup kuala and the west coast of India during the southwest monsoon. These environmental constrains shaped navigation strategies more than simplistic wind model suggests.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  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. For example, Chinese ship sailed from China to Java on the winter monsoon, then continued to Malacca during the southwest monsoon, and later crossed the Indian Ocean to Hormuz during the northeast monsoon. , returning again within that same seasonal patters.
• Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  common misunderstandings about monsoon wind patterns and their role in historical maritime trade across the Indian ocean and Southeast Asia. While it is often believed that ships followed a simple one-way seasonal pattern and returing west with the southwest monsoon. However the reality was more complex.
• TextmalayaSir Hugh Clifford

  Images of Malaya in the Stories of Sir Hugh Clifford

  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 insight into how Malaya was seen through a British lens in the early 20th century.
  
• Texttalesterengganu

  Tall Tales from Terengganu II

  Tall Tales from Terengganu II presents a collection of local stories and legends from Terengganu, capturing the region's rich oral traditions and cultural heritage. These tales, passed down through generations, reflect the values, beliefs, and everyday life of the Terengganu people. By documenting these narratives, the work helps preserve a fading tradition, offering readers insight into the unique folklore of the area.
• akademikSingapura

  The Prince of Merchants and The Lion City

  The article by Nicholas Tarling examines the influential role of John Palmer, known as the "Prince of Merchants," in British political and commercial affairs, particularly in relation to the British-Dutch negotiations and the acquisition of Singapore, highlighting his extensive correspondence and significant political connections.