The Malay Manuscripts contain knowledge and advice on various areas, including governance, weaponry and navigation. But few know how to decipher these centuries-old documents, writes Ninot Aziz
THE importance of keeping the Malay Manuscripts relevant cannot be understated. They were crucial to the formulation of the ancient Malay civilisation, and can be the very tool to spur national pride and cultural renaissance today, says Datuk Raslin Abu Bakar, the director general of the National Library of Malaysia.
The National Library is home to the Malay Manuscript Centre, which was established in 1985. The Malay Manuscripts, spanning from the 16th to 19th Centuries, are among the most prominent manuscripts in the world today. A national treasure, much research still needs to be done on these precious works.
The use of Jawi as a script may also need to be popularised, to ensure the relevance and understanding of the Malay Manuscripts. To illustrate, let us take a look at the Egyptian hieroglyphics, which could not be read for centuries. We do not want the same fate to befall the Jawi script.
In 1822, when Jean-Francois Champollion unlocked the Egyptian secrets by deciphering the Rosetta Stone, Egyptology — especially its mythology and architectural wonders — became renowned throughout the world.
In this spirit, the National Library is currently holding an exhibition with the theme “Unravelling The Secrets Of The Malay Manuscripts”.
The manuscripts are keepers of old Malay wisdom and knowledge, the legacy of the ancient Malay Civilisation. For too long, the only manuscripts made popular were the Hikayat — fables and legends as these were romanised extensively in the past. A whole industry can be given new life through clearer understanding of the manuscripts — knowledge tourism, epic movies, drama theatre, alternative medicine, maritime heritage tours and more.
EXHIBITION CONCEPT
The exhibition is housed in a replica of the Pinis Gobel, a Malay ship from Terengganu described in ancient legends. The original was the marvel of the maritime world as it could traverse along or against sea currents. Interestingly, the word pinis or pinas is very similar to the French word pinasse, a two-masted sailing vessel. Gobel, in the local dialect of Terengganu, stands for kemudi (Malay) that is, helm.
The exhibition pays tribute to our past when the Malays were among the maritime societies that chartered new territories in governance, travel, craftsmanship, medicine and culture for more than a millennia.
Ten areas or rather, segments, are highlighted in this exhibition. We’ll examine some of the schools of thought that were recorded within these ancient scrolls.
KNOWLEDGE OF NAVIGATION
Long before the compass was used, sea masters navigated the sea by observing the sky and the condition of the winds, in particular, the position of the sun and the stars.
A descriptive MSS 2912 illustrated the positions of the sun and the line of the equator. This work on astronomy contains a drawing on the line of the equator that indicates the position of the sun at the centre of the world’s sky. It also discusses time differences based on the line of the equator, the position of the Kaabah according to the orbit of the earth and sun, the distances of certain places based on the year of travel according to the calculation methods of mile, league, degree, and others.
Exhibition Manuscript (Science of Navigation. Divination. Horoscope) records various aspects relating to ship sailing. It highlights the importance of monitoring the signs of winds and rain, and that of gales. Another specialisation is the study of the direction of the sun and stars. The preferable conditions are discerned and prayers are to be cited before boarding a ship, the measuring and buying of a vessel, the lowering and drawing of an anchor and so on. A particular manuscript, MSS 2588, contains a chapter on divination to identify the best times to embark on a journey to avoid misfortune and calamity.
There are quite a few manuscripts on display on this subject. For instance, a book on Astronomy, MSS 812, is in the form of a table indicating the movement, oscillation and position of the sun, moon and the stars according to day and year. In MSS 1735, there’s a chapter on calculating the Hijrah calendar according to the number of days, months and years, crucial for the navigator of our past.
WEAPONRY
There are a number of manuscripts on the science of Malay gunnery that explains the methods of making guns and its use, the requirements for shooting and its distance from the target (ballistics). The use of spells, prayers and mantras are also there.
The superiority of the Malay warfare know-how is recorded in various Malay manuscripts such as Syair Perang Siak, Hikayat Pattani and Sulalatus Salatin that mention the various types of firearms and artilleries such as cannons, gunpowder, lantaka and matchlock.
The most important lesson begin with the making of gunpowder. For instance in MSS 85.48, it shows us how this was done centuries ago. It is interesting to note that like in Arabic, such formulas are described in full sentences, and not through equations or by using numerics.
This clause teaches how to produce gunpowder for the matchlock cannon. Firstly, one full measure of gun powder, half-measure of sulfur, two measures of the matchlock powder. Nine tahil of the middle gunpowder, four tahil of gunpowder, ...etc.
Meanwhile, MSS 1922 offers tips on firing the Meriam Istinggar or matchlock. This manuscript contains guidelines on using firearms and a chapter on shooting with the Malay matchlock. It also discusses the method of using the Minangkabau matchlock as well as the important components involved during the shooting such as the flint holder, flint, gunpowder hole, the sight hole, the firing trigger and the barrel of the rifle. It also discusses the lead bullet, the techniques of holding and aiming the matchlock at its target.
This chapter provides shooting tips, when pulling the trigger or stabbing someone. Firstly, just prior to stabbing or shooting, or at the point one lifts one’s spear or releases the trigger, read this verse “Oh, powerful one! Direct this to the intended victim, may he collapse and burn. Let this aim find his heart or he (bones) will break as intended.”
The Sulalatus al-Salatin (The Malay Annals) MS 86 tells the story of the rise and fall of the Malacca Sultanate. What’s often overlooked is that this work also contains various descriptions on the use of firearms and traditional weapons such as the cannon, matchlock, kris, sword, spear, arrow, and shield in fights against the Western colonialists and in civil wars.
“Why fret if the Portuguese come? We bombard their ship with these two cannons that use the cannonball the size of a Chinese mandarin orange. The cannons — Naga Ombak and Katak Berenang.”
Sulalatus al-Salatin: 241
The weaponry segment shows that the Malay World had more than just the keris, lances and blades in its arsenal of weaponry during battles. Cannons measuring from 0.9 metre to 2.7 metres were the norm and are described extensively in text associated with Pattani, Kelantan, Malacca and Selangor, especially. From Hikayat Patani, the famous cannons — the Seri Negara, Tuk Buk dan Mahalela were legendary and the Thais were adamant about bringing them back as trophies of war. Until today, one of these cannons is displayed at the Thai defence ministry.
Reference to these famous cannons can be found in the equally renowned Hikayat Patani, the basis of the movie Queens Of Langkasuka.
CRIME HANDLING
The Malay Manuscripts contain very clear laws or hukum to ensure peace and justice, and that laws and regulations were put in place to curb incidences of injustice and to maintain political stability.
Laws of Kedah, Johor and Pahang were based on Hukum Kanun Melaka (MSS 23) or the Book of Law of Melaka. In its opening pages, the Hukum Kanun outlined the characters required in a ruler:
The qualities required of a ruler are four in number. Firstly, (he is) merciful; secondly, (he is) generous; thirdly, (he is) courageous; and fourthly, (he is) able to give his verdict decisively. These are the qualities (required) of a ruler from a time immemorial until present day. This is what is understood by kanun law.
There were rules for every crime and petty theft. The punishment often comprised a combination of fines, pain as well as public shame. For instance, in the case of theft of agriculture goods: The offender will be placed on a white-spotted cow, adorned with hibiscus flowers and a dish cover on his head; his face shall be smeared with lime, charcoal and turmeric, thus he will be carried around the country while a gong is being beaten. If the stolen property is discovered, it shall be hung around his neck.
Kelantan was one State that had its own set of laws. The Hukum Maksiat di Kelantan (MSS 783 A) offered useful advice and instructions to the king and the people based on the Sharia.
It states: The chief of all sins begins with disobedience towards Allah SWT. This is the source of all vice where nothing can be hidden from the King. Firstly, the principal sin in Kelantan is when people in power in the State repudiate the tenets of the Prophet. Such a sin is not forgivable for a lord and chieftain that has the power of ruling over misconduct.
When there is altercation between two persons, a deliberation must not be delayed even if grave punishment is required, including death.
Some in destitute sell their offspring, orchard, water buffaloes and cows until they become paupers. All this must be resolved in proper order as there is nothing according to religion that is not proper.
In Kelantan the call for laws in accordance to the Sharia has a longstanding history. Such manuscripts offer us valuable insights to history that may have some relevance to today’s scenario.
Ninotaziz, author, poet and storyteller believes that legends are the memories of ancient civilisations.
THE National Library is holding essay and selfie competitions in conjunction with the exhibition with the theme “Unravelling The Secrets Of The Malay Manuscripts”.
Details at www.pnm.gov.my/
For an introductory tour of the Pameran Antarabangsa Manuskrip Melayu, visit www.pnm.gov.my/pamm