MELAYU GLOBAL

Melayu Building

2012-07-15T09:54:00.001-07:00

Melayu Campus Of Riau

Global Melayu Info

2012-07-15T09:44:00.002-07:00

Almost everyone I met or spoke over the phone late last night said they were in front of the tv earlier on, sitting right through the assembly till the results were announced.

Hey…good for them.

I on the other hand, was pretty much in my own world, with the tele completely turned off. It was like, I was rehearsing for the Earth Hour thing.

Ok maybe not exactly that as I had my laptop on.

So I completely stayed away from the amno assembly. But not in any ways that made me less of a malay, mind you. In fact, I did something that justifies my Malay-ness, even more Malay than many of those present at PWTC - by drooling over a newly discovered porn site.

Talking about the Earth Hour, which the whole world will observe this Saturday, I didn’t really give a shit about the whole fuss until recently. I think it’s a great idea because I feel most of us are guilty of not conserving the earth energy as much we could, or should

But lately I’ve been more sensitive towards our mother nature, by keeping the damage at bay. Like for instance the Go Green Campaign some time back, I actually did my part and went green myself- by going organic.

So come Saturday, March 28 at 830 pm, I’m playing my bit yet again, by turning all the switches off for 1 hour. Its not really a difficult thing to participate in this rare world event y'know, and ultimately chip in to a good cause because errm…well…

There’s no footie match worth watching!

Islamization

2012-06-14T04:51:00.001-07:00

Further information: Spread of Islam in Southeast Asia

The extent of Malaccan Empire in the 15th century. The powerful empire that has effectively molded the Malay-Muslim socio-cultural identity until this day.

The period of the 13th and 15th centuries saw the arrival of Islam and the rise of the great port-city of Malacca on the southwestern coast of the Malay peninsular[42] — two major developments that altered the course of Malay history.

The Islamic faith arrived on the shores of what are now the states of Kedah, Perak, Kelantan and Terengganu, from around the 12th century.[43] The earliest archaeological evidence of Islam from the Malay peninsula is the Terengganu Inscription Stone dating from the 14th century found in Terengganu state, Malaysia.[42]

By 15th century, the Malacca Sultanate, whose hegemony reached over much of the western Malay archipelago, had become the centre of Islamization in the east. The Malaccan tradition was transmitted onwards and fostered a vigorous ethos of Malay identity.[44][45] During this era, the Islamic faith became closely identified with Malay society and played a significant role in defining the Malay identity.

In 1511, the city of Malacca fell into the hands of Portuguese conquistadors. However, Malacca remained an institutional prototype: a paradigm of statecraft and a point of cultural reference for successor states such as Johor Sultanate (1528–present), Perak Sultanate (1528–present) and Pahang Sultanate (1470–present).[44]

Across the South China Sea in 14th century, another Malay realm, the Brunei Sultanate was on the rise to become the most powerful polity in Borneo. By the middle of 15th century, Brunei entered into a close relationship with Malacca Sultanate. The sultan married a Malaccan princess, adopted Islam as the court religion, and introduced an efficient administration modelled on Malacca.[49] Brunei profited from trade with Malacca but gained even greater prosperity after the great Malay port was conquered by the Portuguese in 1511. It reached its golden age in the mid-16th century when it controlled land as far south as present day Kuching in Sarawak, north towards the Philippine Archipelago.[50] The empire broaden its influence in Luzon by establishing an alliance with the Kingdom of Tondo and founded a satellite state, Kota Seludong in present-day Manila. Brunei's fairly loose river based governmental presence in Borneo projected the process of Malayisation. Fine Malay Muslim cultures, including the language, dress and single family dwelling were introduced to the natives primarily from ethnic Dayaks, drawing them into the Sultanate. Dayak chiefs were incorporated into the Malay hierarchy, being given the official titles of Datuk, Temenggong and Orang Kaya. In West Kalimantan, the development of such sultanates of Sambas, Sukadana and Landak tells a similar tale of recruitment among Dayak people.[51]

Other significant Malay sultanates were the Kedah Sultanate (1136–present) and Patani Sultanate (1516–1771) that dominated the northern part of the Malay peninsula. While Jambi Sultanate (1460–1907), Palembang Sultanate (1550–1823) and Siak Sri Indrapura Sultanate (1725–1946) controlled much of the southeastern shores of Sumatra.

Islamization

2012-06-14T04:49:00.003-07:00

Further information: Spread of Islam in Southeast Asia

The extent of Malaccan Empire in the 15th century. The powerful empire that has effectively molded the Malay-Muslim socio-cultural identity until this day.

Indian influence

2012-06-14T04:41:00.000-07:00

Further information: Greater India

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat of Bujang Valley. A Hindu-Buddhist kingdom ruled ancient Kedah possibly as early as 110 AD, the earliest evidence of strong Indian influence which was once prevalent among the pre-Islamic Kedahan Malays.

There is no definite evidence which dates the first Indian voyages across the Bay of Bengal but conservative estimates place the earliest arrivals on Malay shores at least 2,000 years ago. The discovery of jetty remains, iron smelting sites, and a clay brick monument dating back to 110 AD in Bujang Valley, shows that a maritime trading route with south Indian Tamil kingdoms was already established since the 2nd century AD.[32] The growth of trade with India brought coastal people in much of the Malay world into contact with the major religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Thus, Indian religions, cultural traditions and the Sanskrit language began to spread across the land. Temples were built in the Indian style, local kings began referring to themselves as Raja and more desirable aspects of Indian government were adopted.[33] Subsequently, small Malay states started to appear in the coastal areas of Malay peninsular, notably the Red Earth Kingdom (1st century), Negara Sri Dharmaraja (1st century), Gangga Negara (2nd century), Langkasuka (2nd century), and Kedah (2nd century). Around 6th century Malay states established in Sumatran east coast, the notable ones are Malayu in present day Jambi and Srivijaya in present day South Sumatra. Between the 7th and 13th centuries, many of these small, often prosperous Sumatran and peninsular maritime trading states, became part of the Srivijaya empire mandala,[34] a great Malay kingdom centered in Palembang,[35] Kadaram,[36] Chaiya and Ligor.

The Buddhist maritime empire of Srivijaya, the first vast Malay polity in the region

Srivijaya’s influence spread over all the coastal areas of Sumatra and the Malay peninsula, western Java and western Borneo, as well as the rest of the Malay Archipelago. Enjoying both Indian and Chinese patronage, its wealth was gained mostly through trade. At its height, the Old Malay language was used as its official language and became the lingua franca of the region, replacing Sanskrit, the language of Hinduism and Buddhism.[33] The Srivijayan era is considered the golden age of Malay culture.

The glory of Srivijaya however began to wane after the series of raids by Indian Chola Empire in 11th century. By the end of 13th century, the remnants of the Malay empire in Sumatra was finally destroyed by the Javanese invaders during the Pamalayu expedition (Pamalayu literally means: war against the Malayu).

The destruction of Srivijaya led to the diaspora of the Srivijayan court and several attempts were made by the fleeing Malay princes to revive the empire. In 1324, with the support of the loyal servants of the empire, the Orang lauts, a Malay prince of Srivijaya origin, Sang Nila Utama established the kingdom of Singapura in Temasek.[37] His dynasty ruled the island until the end of 14th century, when the Malay polity once again faced the wrath of Javanese invaders. In 1401, his great grandson, Paduka Sri Maharaja Parameswara headed north and established the Malacca Sultanate.[38] The Malacca sultanate succeeded Srivijaya and inherited much of the Malay royal and cultural traditions, including most of the territories of its predecessor.[39][40][41]

Another mighty Malay kingdom during this period is Tambralinga, once a subordinate of Srivijaya, the kingdom began to grow after the regression of the Srivijayan empire in 12th century. Between the 13th to early 14th century, the kingdom managed to conquer most of the Malay peninsular under its rule. The growth of the kingdom intensified under the reign of Chandrabhanu Sridhamaraja (1230–1263), in which he had succeeded in capturing the Jaffna Kingdom in Sri Lanka between 1247 until 1258. The invasion marked an unrivaled feature in the Southeast Asian History, as it was the only time there was an armed maritime expedition beyond the Southeast Asian borders.

The cultivation of Malay polity system also diffused beyond the proper Sumatran-Peninsular border during this era. The age avowed by exploration and migration of the Malays to establish kingdoms beyond the traditional Srivijayan realm. Several exemplification are the enthronement of a Tambralingan prince to reign the Lavo Kingdom in present-day Bangkok, the foundation of Rajahnate of Cebu in the Visayas and the establishment of Tanjungpura Kingdom in Borneo. The expansion is also eminent as it shaped the ethnocultural development of the related Acehnese and Banjarese people and further spreading the Indian influenced-Malay ethos within the regional sphere

Ethnic Malays

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The free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search This article is about the Malay ethnic group. For the Malay "race", see Malay race. For other uses, see Malay (disambiguation). 0Malay Melayu ملايو Enrique of MalaccaHamzah HazHang Tuah Hassanal Bolkiah of BruneiDato LatMahathir Mohamad SalomaSiti NurhalizaSurin Putsuwan Sheikh Muszaphar ShukorTunku Abdul RahmanPengiran Anak Sarah Yusof bin IshakYunalis ZaraiAbu Bakar of Johor 1st row: Enrique of Malacca • Hamzah Haz • Hang Tuah 2nd row: Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei • Lat • Mahathir Mohamad 3rd row: Saloma • Siti Nurhaliza • Surin Pitsuwan 4th row: Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor • Tunku Abdul Rahman • Crown Princess Sarah 5th row: Yusof Ishak• Yunalis Zarai • Abu Bakar of Johor Total population c. 27.8 million Regions with significant populations Majority populations

Malaysia 14,749,378 (2010 estimate) [1]

Brunei 261,902 (2010 estimate) [2]

Minority populations

Indonesia 8,789,585 (2010 estimate) [3][4]

Thailand 3,354,475 (2010 estimate) [5][6]

Singapore 653,449 (2010 estimate) [7][8]

Languages

Malay, Indonesian, Yawi, Thai, English

Religion

Sunni Islam (approx. 99.9%)[9]

Malays (Malay: Melayu, Jawi: ملايو) are an ethnic group of Austronesian people predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula including the southernmost parts of Thailand, south coast Myanmar and island of Singapore, coastal Indonesian including east of Sumatra, coastal Borneo, including Brunei, coastal Sarawak and Sabah, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations. These locations today is part of the modern nations of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Southern Myanmar, Southern Thailand and Western Indonesia.

Today, the common identity that binds Malay people together is their language (with variant of dialects exist among them), Islam and their culture;[10] although in the past Malay people were largely animist and Hindu-Buddhist before conversion to Islam took place in the 15th century. Malay culture has a number of similarities with cultures of neighboring ethnic groups, such as those of Minang culture, Aceh, and to some degree Javanese culture; however it differs by being more overtly Islamic than the Javanese culture which is more multi-religious.

The name "Malay" (Chinese: Mo-Lo-Yu or local inscription: Malayu) was first mentioned in a Chinese account in the 644 CE to report the existence of a Malay kingdom in the southern islands of the (Malay archipelago). At that time, "Malayu" might have referred to the Melayu Kingdom on the east coast of Sumatra that centered around the Jambi area.[10] From that time onward, the term "Malay" has evolved from a kingdom in Jambi to identifying the ethnic group that inhabits the region on both sides of Malacca strait and beyond. One of the logical explanations of the name origin has been verified in other languages, such as the Tamil word malaiyur, used to refer the mountainous region where the civilization of Kadaram was founded in Kedah (today), or the Javanese word mlayu (to run) derived from mlaku (to walk or to travel), or the Malay term melaju (to steadily accelerate), to refer the high mobility and migratory nature of its people, however these suggestions remain as popular local beliefs without corroborating evidence.

Deutero Malays

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The earlier Proto Malay groups were later pushed inland by the Deutero Malay settlers in the second wave of migration around 300 BC. The Deutero Malays are Iron Age people descended partly from the subsequent Chams, Mon–Khmer peoples of Mainland Southeast Asia and following Austronesian peoples who came equipped with more advanced farming techniques and new knowledge of metals.[citation needed] They are kindred but more Mongolized and greatly distinguished from the Proto Malays which have shorter stature, darker skin, slightly higher frequency of wavy hair, much higher percentage of dolichocephaly and a markedly lower frequency of the epicanthic fold.

The Deutero Malay settlers were not nomadic compared to their predecessors, instead they settled and established kampungs which serve as the main units in the society. These kampungs were normally situated on the riverbanks or coastal areas and generally self-sufficient in food and other necessities. By the end of the last century BC, these kampungs beginning to engage in some trade with the outside world.

The Deutero Malays are considered as the direct ancestors of present day's Malay people.[30] Their series of migration had indirectly forced some groups of Proto Malays and aboriginal people to retreat into the hill areas of the interior further upriver. Notable Proto Malays of today are Moken, Jakun, Orang Kuala, Temuan and Orang Kanaq.

Proto Malays

2009-04-29T04:40:00.001-07:00

Further information: History of Austronesian peoples, Homeland of Austronesian languages

Also known as Melayu asli (aboriginal Malay) or Melayu purba (ancient Malay), the Proto Malays are of Austronesian origin are thought to have migrated to the Malay archipelago in a long series of migrations between 2500 and 1500 BC.[25] The Encyclopedia of Malaysia: Early History, has pointed out a total of three theories of the origin of Malay:

The Yunnan theory, Mekong river migration (published 1889)

The theory of Proto Malay originating from Yunnan is supported by R.H Geldern, J.H.C Kern, J.R Foster, J.R Logen, Slametmuljana and Asmah Haji Omar. Other evidences that support this theory include:

Stone tools found at Malay Archipelago which are analogous to Central Asian tools;

Similarity of Malay customs and Assam customs; and

the fact that the Malay language & Cambodian language are kindred languages because the ancestral home of Cambodians originated at the source of Mekong River.

The New Guinea theory (published 1965).

The Taiwan theory (published 1997).

The book "Contesting Malayness – Malay Identity Across Boundaries" edited by Timothy P. Barnard reflects the views of anthropologists that there is no such race as the "Malays" to begin with, even if one has since developed in Malaysia. If one follow the original migration of a certain group of southern Chinese of 6,000 years ago, some moved to Taiwan (today's Taiwanese aborigines are their descendents), then to the Philippines and later to Borneo (roughly 4,500 years ago) (today's Dayak and other groups). These ancient people also split with some heading to Sulawesi and others progressing into Java, and Sumatra. The final migration was to the Malayan Peninsula roughly 3,000 years ago. A sub-group from Borneo moved to Champa in Vietnam roughly 4,500 years ago. There are also traces of the Dong Song and HoaBinh migration from Vietnam and Cambodia. There was also the Southern Thai migration, from what we know as Pattani today. All these groups share DNA and linguistic origins traceable to the island that is today Taiwan, and the ancestors of these ancient people are traceable to southern China.

However, in 2009, a comprehensive study of genetic diversity and history of Asian populations was carried out by HUGO (Human Genome Organization) involving almost 2000 people across Asia, points to another theory of Asian migration pattern. The HUGO found genetic similarities between populations throughout Asia and an increase in genetic diversity from northern to southern latitudes. These findings indicates the origin of Asia's population and support the hypothesis that Asia was populated primarily through a single migration event from the south, entering South East Asian first. The South East Asian civilizations including the Malays are possibly much older compared to East Asian civilizations[26]

The proto Malays are believed to be seafarers knowledgeable in oceanography and possessing agricultural skills. They moved around from island to island in great distances between New Zealand and Madagascar, and they served as navigation guides, crew and labour to Indian, Arab, Persian and Chinese traders for nearly 2000 years. Over the years they settled at various places and adopted various cultures and religions.

Etymology Melayu

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The use of the native term "Melayu" to refer to a distinct ethnic group is believed to have been popularized during the consolidation of the Malacca Sultanate as a regional power in the 15th century. It was used to describe the cultural culture of the Malaccans as against foreigners from the same region, notably the Javanese and Thais.[11] Prior to the 15th century, the term and its other spelling variants can be found in foreign sources referring to either historical kingdoms or geographical parts of Malay archipelago.

The Sanskrit word "Malayadvipa" that appeared in chapter 48 of Vayu Purana was among the earliest foreign references to the origin of the word "Melayu". It literally means "insular mountain continent" and is described in the Purana as one of the provinces in the mythical eastern archipelago that was full of gold and silver. Some scholars equate the term with Sumatra,[12] while most Indian scholars believe that Sumatra is more correctly associated with Suvarnadvipa and Malayadvipa should refer to the more mountainous Malay peninsula,[13][14][15][16][17] An inscription on the south wall of the Brihadeeswarar Temple that recorded the Chola invasion of the Malay archipelago in the 11th century made a reference to Malaiur, a kingdom that had "a strong mountain for its rampart", as one of the kingdoms that fell to the Chola invaders.

The term "Maleu-Kolon" that appeared in Ptolemy's work Geographia is another ancient term related to "Melayu". It is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit term malayakolam or malaikurram, referring to a geographical part of Malay Peninsular.[18]

References alluding to the word "Melayu" can also be found in several Chinese records. Among the earliest was that of Yi Jing who visited the Malay Archipelago between 688–695. Yi Jing mentioned a kingdom known as Mo-Lo-Yu, which was a 15 day sail from Bogha (Palembang), the capital of Sribhoga (Srivijaya). It took a 15 day sail as well to reach Ka-Cha (Kedah) from Mo-lo-yu; therefore, it can be reasoned that Mo-Lo-Yu would lie halfway between the two places.[19] Some scholars relate the Kingdom of Mo-Lo-Yu with Jambi in Sumatra, but this claim is disputed, as the geographical location of Jambi doesn't match with Yi Jing's description of a "half way sail between Ka-Cha (Kedah) and Bogha (Palembang)". In the later Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) and Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the word Ma-La-Yu was mentioned often in Chinese historical texts - with changes in spelling due to the time span between the dynasties - to refer to a nation near the southern sea. Among the terms used was "Bok-la-yu", "Mok-la-yu" (木剌由), Ma-li-yu-er (麻里予兒), Oo-lai-yu (巫来由) - traced from the written source of monk Xuan Zang), and Wu-lai-yu (無来由). In the chronicle of Yuan Dynasty, the word "Ma-li-yu-er" was mentioned[20]:

"..Animosity occurred between Siam and Ma-li-yu-er (Malays) with both killing each other..."

The above text is referring to a period when the Siamese launched their efforts to subjugate the small Malay states of the northern Malay peninsular during the reign of Ram Khamhaeng of Sukhothai Kingdom. In 1295, a Chinese envoy arrived at the Ram Khamhaeng's court bearing an imperial order: "Keep your promise and do no evil to Ma-li-yu-er".[21] This kingdom of "Ma-li-yu-er that appeared in the Chinese record possibly a similar kingdom that was mentioned by the famous Venetian traveler Marco Polo (1254–1324) who lived during the same period. In his book Travels of Marco Polo, he mentioned about a kingdom named "Malauir" which according to him located in the Malay peninsula.[22][23]

Based on the translation by Slamet Muljana, the word bhūmi Mālayu (literally "Land of Malayu") is incribed on the Padang Roco Inscription, dated 1286 CE,[24] according to the inscription, bhūmi Mālayu is associated with the Dharmasraya kingdom. On the Amoghapasa inscription, dated 1347 CE, the word Malayapura (literally "city of Malaya" or "kingdom of Malaya") was proclaimed by Adityawarman, again referring to Dharmasraya. The word "Melayu" is also mentioned in the Malay annals referring to a river in Sumatra:

"...Here now is the story of a city called Palembang in the land of Andelas. It was ruled by Demang Lebar Daun, a descendant of Raja Shulan, and its river was the Muara Tatang. In the upper reaches of the Muara Tatang was a river called Melayu, and on that river was a hill called Si-Guntang Mahameru..."

During the European colonization of the area, the word "Malay" was adopted into English via the Dutch word "Malayo", itself derived from the Portuguese "Malaio", which originates from the Malay word "Melayu".