Page 1000 - Proceedings Collega2023

Among the examples of distinguished creativity and sustainability in local wisdom of the Malays
as recorded in the Swettenham Papers are; the physical attributes and appearances, religion, political
xxiii
xxi
xx
xxii
institutions, customs (marriage, revenue, culinary, entertainment , and cock-fighting ), language
(literary works), crafts (sampan, xxiv weapons and silk), economy (slavery, prostitution, xxvi currency,
xxv
xxix
agriculture, xxvii and transportation), character (abuse, xxviii amok, vices and relationship with other
ethnics).
Manifestation of creativity and sustainability in terms of physical appearances, the Malays are
suited to their climate and geographical location, therefore, they are amphibious (1955) with an average
xxx
height (1912). Dignity is of the utmost concern for the Malay, therefore, regardless of social statues,
the Malay does not take insult lightly and may result to amok (23 October 1875), xxxi the creative
expression of a wronged man. It might also be the reason for them to seldomly express emotions (1912).
Due to the high value placed on dignity, domestic abuse may lead to death (1912), and a woman may
divorce her husband due to reasons of insufficient wealth (1874) and if the husband choses to take upon
another wife (1875). The Malay people are violent people (1880), therefore an expression of their
creativity is murder especially by the Malay weaponry of the kriss, a snake-like bladed dagger. However,
(1893) in protection against tigers from hurting man, the Malay ancestors tied wood to the spear to
prevent the tiger form ‘running up the spear.’

Manifestation of creativity in adhering to the Muslim faith (1955) is apparent in all aspects of the
Malay life with some minor exception. However, according to Swettenham (1955) there are some
individuals who remain loyal to superstition under the veneer of Islam though most do not take opium
(19 July 1875). The rulers xxxii of the Malay people are the Sultan, his Sultanate and the monarchy, they
adhere to the teachings of Islam and do what they must to ensure that Islam is sustained amongst the
Malays, and their existence too. The Perak Sultanate (16 February 1874) created a creative system of
monarchy to sustain the civilization, where the Royal Regalia xxxiii was requisite to authenticate the new
Sultan of Perak (20 April 1874). Royalty and parents are highly revered therefore, special customs exist to
showcase this reverence (17 June 1875) and the Malays have their own diplomacy.

In generating revenue, In Kota Bahru, the Malay men and women are equal in labour and money-
making. xxxiv Generally, women are allowed to trade and own mines. Gold is often moulded into bean
shapes (1874). However, the women being the preservers of the Malay culture like the Kelantan women
weave silk sarongs that they are famous for. When in desperation, especially for money, extreme
measures are taken, for example, in opening mines (1893), aid from the traditional medicine man is
sought. xxxv

Debt-slavery is a Malay special characteristic as it is not found in the Muslim Law neither Malay
custom, it is done out of creditors who are unable to pay their debt therefore, the nucleus family and its
descendent are bonded to debt-slavery until the debt is paid (1875). xxxvi

In terms of nourishment, they cure fish (1875) to sustain themselves in weathers unkind for
agriculture and create sirap beverages from the rose flower and pine-screw leaves. Travelling and
transportation of goods and people are done through land and water. For land transportation, elephants
are tamed (1875) and bull-carts are engineered (1874). For water transportation, the native craft of a
sampan is used on the river and boats on sea (1893).
According to Swettenham (1875), the Malay forms of entertainment is various, from dancing, xxxvii
picnicking, xxxviii and sports. Among vices indulged by the Malay according to Swettenham (1912) are cock-
fighting, bad moral and delusional, envy, debt-slavery.

International Conference on Local Wisdom of the Malay Archipelago (COLLEGA 2023) Page - 987 -