MALAY CIVILIZATION

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 Week 4: The Formation of Malaysia & The Malaysian Constitution

Students should be able to:

1. Explain about the concept of Malay, Malay world
and Malay Civilization
2. Know about the assimilation process of Malay
culture with the outside factors
Concept of Malay 1. Read lecture slides
Civilization 3. Understand the values in Malay culture
4. Discuss about Malay worldview before and after Answer 5 subjective
Islam 2. Watch video questions based on the
Foundation of Malay video
Civilization 5. Elaborate on Malay civilization achievements
6. Elaborate the theories of the arrival of Islam to 3. Lecture’s capture
Malay Archipelago
Malay Worldview 7. Understand Islamic influences on belief, laws,
society, politics, economy, culture, art, and education
Achievements of Malay in Malaysia
Civilization 8. Analyze the role of Malay Civilization to nation
building
2
 Content
 Introduction
 The Malays, the Malay World and Malay Civilization
 Evidence of Malay presence during the Paleolithic era
 The theory of arrival of Islam in the Malay World
 Factors of Islamization in Malay Civilization
 Achievements of Malay Civilization
 Islamic values in Malaysia
 Role of Malay Civilization in developing Malaysian civilization.
 Conclusion
PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 Introduction
• This chapter discusses specifically on three theories of
Islam in the Malay world.
• Discusses the role, impact and influence of Islam in
Malay people such as their belief, politics, social, law,
economy, arts, language and literature and education.
• Discussion on the role of Malay civilization in the areas
of language, religion, culture in Malaysian civilization.

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 Concept of Malay Civilization
• A civilization which was formed by a group of men who were
classified as Malay people and located in Southeast Asia.
• Known by various names such as the Malay Archipelago, Malay-
Indonesian archipelago, Nusantara, Alam Melayu and Tanah Jawi.
• Easter Islands (Pacific Ocean) to Madagascar (Indian Ocean),
Formosa to New Zealand
• Diaspora : Malay edge in South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Middle East,
Western Australia, Britain.
• Lingua franca : English
• Official religion : Islam
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 Malay
• 3 understanding / different dimensions :
Race (genetics / biology )
• A group of people who have genetic characteristics of the same nature
and are derived from Malay culture
Culture
• Stake and practices that are based on the Islamic religion and customs of
the Malay Language ​spoken in the Malay Archipelago.
Language
• Sub-families : Javanese , Madura , Acehnese , Jakarta, Bali ,
Minangkabau, Sasak, Melanau, Iban, Bajau, Murut, Bugis, Sulu etc.

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 Malay, Malay World and Malay Civilization
• Malay term
Malay word, which stands for 'Himalaya'. Alayaber means place and himaalaya
means snowy area.

Malay World
• Includes the islands of Southeast Asia until the border of Australia.
• Merantau culture (travelling in Malay archipelago)
• Malay Diaspora (Malay Cape in South Africa)

• Malay civilization
Referred to a civilization which is formed by a group of men known as the
Malay; their settlement is focused at the Southeast Asia region.
PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
The evidence of human presence in Malay World in Paleolithic Era

 The oldest complete human skeleton

 Aged about 11,000 years
 Discovered in 1991 at Gua Gunung Runtuh,
Bukit Kepala Gajah, Lenggong.
 Died at age 40-50 years old
 Length 157cm
 Buried in the foetal position (legs folded to the
chest)
 Buried like a fetus with shells, animal bones,
stone tools
PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 Malay in Malaysian constitution

Clause 160 :
• Speak Malay language
•Adaptation to Malay culture
•Islam

- This clause was used as guidance to determine nationality during the time of Federation of
Malay States. It was also used during independence and while drafting the Malaysian
Constitution

- Bumiputra : indigenous of Sabah and Sarawak

 Foundation of Malay Civilization

• Society that has complex social structure

- King as the leader
- Religious leaders
- Local leaders
- Traders
- Farmers
• Emergence of Malay states
 Formation of Malay Civilization
* Existed in South East Asia c. 5000 years ago *

Values that were formed by Malay culture:

• Complex society formed by agricultural activities.
• Technological changes and regular agricultural activities to produce enough food
supplies throughout the year
• Mesyuarah culture adopted by country and palace
• Sultan / raja having absolute power

Values that were formed from outside influences

• Malays openness for new ideas
• Ability to adopt new ideas
• Example:
- During glorious period of Hindu & Buddha
- Early emergence of Islam in South East Asia (12th century)
- British colonialism (19th century)
 Malay empire as commercial areas

- Based on archeological evidence

- Early Malay kingdoms existed as early as 2500 years ago
- Bujang Valley, Kedah and Kuala Selinsing, Perak
- There were ports that handle long distance trade.
- Long distance trading activities administered by local authorities.
- Evidence: Complex society existed
- Malay civilization values:
- commercial activities
- ability to contact with outsiders
- openness
- respect their leaders
- consider others’ opinions
 MALAY EMPIRE BEFORE ISLAM

• Through maritime area

• Different from other communities (focused on rural areas)
• Unique civilization
• Hindu Buddha influence
- Bujang Valley temple, Kedah
- Candi Borobodur temple, Jogjakarta
- Angkor Wat, Kemboja
• Artistic features on the architecture (ex: Borobodur) :
original and distinctive
• 2 huge empire :
- FUNAN exploit trading activities
- SRIVIJAYA
• Written by Chinese and Indian scholars about Langkasuka &
Beruas, Malaysia.
 MALAY EMPIRE AFTER ISLAM

• Islam was spread through 3 routes:

- direct (trading route from Arab & Parsi)
- land route to India – and later to South East Asia
- land route (Silk road) to China – Asia through sea trading activities

• Islam created new element in this civilization

- Malacca Malay Sultanate
- other Malay Sultanates (Acheh, Perlak, Patani, Johor-Riau-Ling

• Became Malay intellectual and correspondence hub

• Example of literatures
- Hikayat Raja-Raja Pasai
- Hikayat Amir Hamzah
- Hukum Kanun Melaka
- Undang-undang laut Melaka
- Adat Raja-Raja Melayu
- Hikayat Hang Tuah
- Sulalat al-Salatin / Sejarah Melayu

• Among Islamic scholars:

- Hamzah Fansuri
- Arshad al-Banjari
- Syeikh Daud al-Fatani
- Yusuf al-Makasari
- Abdul Samad al-Falimbangi
- Wali Songo
- Raja Ali Haji

• Palace & mosque : center of intellectual activities and Islamic knowledge

King/ Raja/sultan Local leaders Civilians

 Malay-Islam Civilization :

• As the golden age of Malay Civilization

• Malacca as the glorious age of Malay Civilization

• Accept Islamic way and tradition in their whole life

• Westerners that came to Malay states have to meet the Sultan before
proceeding with their activities.
 Evidence of Malay-Islam Civilization
towards intellectual excellence

• Islamic knowledge advancement

• Malay language as lingua franca

• Formed legal systems:

 Hukum Kanun Melaka
 Undang-undang Laut Melaka

• These 2 books / legal system are based on Islamic law and Malay culture

• Prior to that, Batu Bersurat Terengganu : showed that Islamic values existed in the
Malay empire & legal system since 1303 M
Malay Worldview
• Based on Islamic aqidah (faith/ belief)
• Values existed before Islam that are still present (ex: Hindu-
Buddha values)
• Malay proverbs (ungkapan):
• Peribahasa perumpamaan
To create
• Pepatah-petitih
harmony in
• Amalan kehidupan
the world and
seharian
hereafter
 (1) ISLAMIC AKIDAH
• The Malays hold on to aqidah as part of their worldview
• Faith and taqwa to Allah are the most important
• Iman: To obey what was told by Allah and leaving all
prohibitions

• Malay worldview is a mixture of traditional belief and Islamic

values
 (2) LOYALTY & RESPECT
TOWARDS THEIR LEADER

• Basic value

• Monarchial institution

• Loyalty towards their king as part of Malay since the

beginning of establishment of Malay kingdoms.
• High respect for their king/leaders
 (3) Strong embrace on culture

• Culture is embraced in everyday life

• Have pantang-larang (confinement)
• Among the rituals - newborn , marriage and death
 (4) High respect to the elders

• Priority towards the elders

• For Malays, the elders have more experiences
• The elders as their guidance, they are important and
respected.
 (5) PRIORITIZE FAMILY TIES AND SILATURRAHIM

• Very important / emphasized in every family

• In family, specific title is used:
Ex: Datuk , nenek, along, angah, pakcik, makcik,
kakak, abang.
• Feasts and visits
 (6) RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER

• Never look down upon other people

• Always be humble
• Respect is given to those who respect the Malays
• Those who do not reciprocate one’s respect will be looked
down upon.
 (7) TO ENTERTAIN GUEST

• One important value

• Follow Islamic teaching
• Believe that the guest will bring good fortune (rezeki)
• Guest will be entertained properly
 (8) THOUGHTFULNESS

• Always think about others in one’s actions and words

• Concerned about others and reject selfishness
 (9) POLITENESS AND GENTLENESS
• One of the Malay cultures
• Adab / manner : gentlen attitudes
vs
rudeness
 (10) MEETING/ MENSYUARAH/ GATHERING

• Their way of getting agreement

• Everybody can speak up
• To consider everyone’s opinion
• Proverb: Bulat air kerana pembetung;
Bulat manusia kerana muafakat
 (11) TOGETHERNESS

• One of the Malay civilization criteria

• To do something in group
• To emphasize on group activities
• Feasts
• Planting
• Harvesting
• To clean mosque and graveyard
Various achievements of
Malay Civilization
 MALAY LITERATURE

LITERATURE LITERATURE
BEFORE ISLAM AFTER ISLAM
LITERATURE BOOKS/MANUSCRIPTS
BEFORE ISLAM

Oral literature & folklores/traditional stories

Myths, legends, mergastua,

Malay poems & proverbs

Mitos : Puteri Santubong, Mahsuri, Sang Kancil

Malay proverbs: Gurindam, Syair,

Mantera, Teromba, Seloka & Teka-teki
 Lietrature after Islam

Literature and books on nation-building literature, Malay

historiography, medical, astronomy and mathematics

•Sharabul Ashiqin (literature) >

Hamzah Fansuri
•Tajul Salatin (nation-building ) >
Bukhari al-Jauhari
•Sulalatul al-Salatin (historiography) >
Tun Sri Lanang
•Tayyib al-Ihsan fi Tibbil Insan >
Wan Ahmad Muhammad
Zain al-Fatani
•Ilmu Falak (astronomy) > Syeikh Ahmad al-Fatani
•Raudat al- Hussab fi A’mal al-Hisab (mathematic) > Syeikh
Abdul Latif al-Khatib
 MALAY ARTS
DANCE

MUSIC
CARVING
ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY

MARTIAL ART

CRAFTMANSHIP

WEAVING

EMBROIDERY

CULINARY
 DANCE

• Zapin
• Mak Yong
• Inang
Carving & calligraphy

• Carving at mosque, pulpit (mimbar)

• Wood carving
• Stoneware, brass carving
 Music

• Gamelan
• Cak Lempong
• Kompang
 WEAVING

• Songket
• Tekat
• Pua kumbu/ selendang
• Terendak
Craftsmanship

• House
• Weapon/
metalwork
• Boat
MARTIAL ART

• Silat Gayong
• Silat Cekak
• Silat Lincah
• Silat Harimau
 Culinary

• Acar buah
• Rendang
• Gulai
• Nasi dagang, Ulam, Ambang, Kerabu
 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• Unique
• Based on their living requirement and artistic aspects
• Modified to suit their preference
• Reflected on their innovative value
 Plantation

• Plow (bajak)
• Water drainage system
ARCHITECTURE

• Housing architectural
elements
• Masjid
• Rumah kutai
• Rumah panjang
• Kubah
Textile & colouring

• Designing batik (mencanting)

• Weaving machine
 Weighting system

• measurement : jengkal, hasta, depa, relong

• weighting : mayam , saga
• measurement : ling, cupak, gantang & koyan
• period: pekan, purnama, musim
 Theory on the arrival of Islam

INDIA

THEORY ON THE
ARRIVAL OF ISLAM
TO MALAY WORLD

ARAB CHINA

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 INDIA

Snouck Hurgronje
"... As half of the people in India embraced Islam. The Muslims of
India also participated in traffic emigration in the country, and that was
the advent of Islam in Malay archipelago."

Scholars: R.O. Winstedt, B. Harrison & etc.

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 INDIA

Tombstones
• Tombstones found were identical with tombstones in Cambay
(Kembayat), Gujarat.

• Roles of Gujarat traders to preach Islam to Malay people.

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 CHINA
• Based on reports that Islam entered China since the reign
of Emperor Ta'Itsuing Pang dynasty (627-650 AD).
• It was said that the Prophet sent Wahab Abu Kabash who
then died in Canton.
• Caliph Uthman sent Sa'ad bin Abi Waqas and constructed
a mosque in Canton.
• Inscription stone “Batu Bersurat Terengganu” was found
in Kuala Berang dated 702 H / 1303 M to be a solid
evidence.
PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 THEORY FROM ARAB

• This theory is supported by many scholars

• The arrival of Islam in the Malay world was in 7th century
AD
• Through three stages: stopover, establish and widespread.
• Islamization of Parameswara was conducted by Sayyed
Abdul Aziz of Jeddah.

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PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 ARAB
• Influences in Jawi writing from letters in Arabic script.

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 ARAB
• Khat / Arabic calligraphy found in mosques and palaces.

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 ARAB
• Performances: Qasidah, marhaban, berzanji, nasyid and
others.

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 Factors of Islamization in Malay World
Islamic excellence

Roles of government
Diplomatic relations

Marriage
Missionary

Trade & commerce Politics & conquests

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 Achievement of the Malay Civilization

• Establishment of the Malay civilization proved the glory of

the Malays in the past.
• This achievement can be seen from many aspects such
as material (thing), intellectual (knowledge) and spiritual
(religion / belief).

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 Achievement of the Malay Civilization

Government &
administration

Art & Architecture Education

MALAY
ACHIEVEMENTS

Language & Literature Socio-culture

Economics

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 Islamic values in Malaysia

ISLAMIC VALUES IMPLEMENTATION IN MALAYSIA

 The application of Islamic values in the government

administration was introduced as early as 1985.
 The government's efforts to improve the people’s good
morals and characters.

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 Islamic values in Malaysia

OBJECTIVES OF THE IMPLEMENTATION

 Guiding and shaping morality in the life of every citizen.

 Cultivate moral values into the government’s
administration.

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016
 Conclusion

• Islam came to Malaya to form a new look and strengthen

the Malay identity that are often shadowed by insubstantial
elements.
• With Islamic identity, it develops their spiritual belief and
strengthen their good conduct.

PutehNoraihan/SLAS/Taylor's/2016