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misspalah's review
4.0
The rajas are like the fire, all the prime ministers, the firewood, for the fire without wood may not result in a flame. Meaning, your subjects are comparable to the roots of a tree, and the king its trunk, wherever there is no root the tree will not be able to stand upright. That is the metaphor of the king and his subjects. As concerns the Malays, if their sins be great, do not quickly put them to death, except when it is applicable to the laws of Allah, for all the Malays are your subjects, as is pronounced by the words of the Prophets: meaning, the servant is his master, if you slay him when he is innocent, your reign shall be stained.
You should rule to earn the blessings of Allah.'
- The Genealogy of Kings by Tun Sri Lanang (Translated by Prof Muhammad Haji Salleh)
.
.
• I finished reading ‘Sulalatus Salatin/ Sejarah Melayu / The Malay Annals / Genealogy of Kings’ in the original language last year, August 20
• I finished reading ‘The Malay Annals / Genealogy of Kings’ translated by Muhammad Haji Salleh (MHS) from Malay to English on June 3rd.
- Here is my summary as I still felt my review from ‘Sejarah Melayu’ did not change much. The stories featured in this version still the same except the ‘Sejarah Melayu’ has 34 stories while the translated version only has 31 stories, the way it arranged resembled the original most of the time but what makes this even better, some footnotes in certain chapters is very detailed as it explained the context of the story which is deeply appreciated. HOWEVER, if you are not Southeast Asian, or was not raised in Southeast Asia region or never heard or read any of these Southeast Asian tales that filled with unexplained magical and mythical folklore, despite having almost perfect translation to modern English by MHS, I do not think this book is for you. Not trying to gatekeep Southeast Asian Classic literature but I just got annoyed when people outside my culture put it in their review with ‘i cannot imagine this’, ‘cannot relate’, ‘don’t get the gist’, ‘don’t understand the story at all’ and other ‘tone deaf’ comments hinting the lack of cultural awareness.
.
(My review from ‘Sejarah Melayu - The Genealogy of Kings in its original language’ that has been revised according to this version) - It has 31 stories, and it told the stories of Malay Kings and its continuity of the kingship that took place in Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Kedah, Perak and to other Neighbouring States/ countries - Southeast Asian regions to be specific. We can see how ‘Sejarah Melayu’ connected Both Peninsular Malaysia to the modern day of Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia and Thailand especially when the tales mentioned of The Javanese Empire, The Sultanate of Pasai and even Siam and Langkasuka Kingdom. Most of the conquests done by multiple marriages to strengthen ties seems to be the focus of these Malay Kings to assert their power. I can’t help but felt that it was so male-centric and patriarchal to the point i am wondering where the strong / badass women in this text are. They only mentioned women when an alliance (of marriages) was needed. The duality of these kings is so bizzarrely clear - on one side the preaching on Islamic Teaching, on another side - he killed all the men that failed to protect his son (The logic is not logicking here*) - for some reason i forgot the number of this story). There’s also rape mentioned casually in the story numbers 17. Whats gotten worse the woman voice was silenced as her father (Sri Nara Diraja) decided to marry her (Tun Manda) off with the rapist (Patih Adam) and all was forgiven because it mentioned that he was a good husband. Other than that, It was interesting to see some contradictory on ‘Sejarah Melayu’ with ‘Hikayat Hang Tuah’, after all we were led to believe that it is Hang Tuah that manipulated Teja to fall in love with him and later, she were married off to Sultan Mahmud once she eloped with Tuah. ‘Sejarah Melayu’ on the other hand insisted that it was Hang Nadim. It applies the same with Hang Jebat that was known as someone that ‘Derhaka’ (Context : it is the custom of the Malays never to rebels against their masters ; read (Kings) so if you do that, you are ‘ derhaka’ ) then Hang Tuah killed him under the command of the sultan but in ‘Sejarah Melayu’, it was Hang Kasturi. At the end of the day, ‘Obeisance / Daulat’ , ‘ Curse/ Tulah’ , ‘Rebel / Derhaka’ was widely used and referred in this text, to amplify the supremacy of Malay Sultanate ages ago. Thats what makes them almost God-like in The Malay Annals. Warning ahead, there will be countless of Killings (peasants specifically) , Wars, Deceptions and Betrayals were part of these stories and once you passed 100 pages, you already got used to it. The stories were arranged whichever it fits thus you will find that it shifted abruptly, and it was not done in sequential manner. There are only 3 stories connected that was arranged in sequence manner as it foreshadows Portuguese fleet attack on Melaka and that event led to the end of Malay Kingship in Melaka. Overall, a highly recommended reading especially for Southeast Asians specifically Malaysians - read it for the culture, history and tradition. If you feel language might impose some barrier, go for the translated version. I would have given this 5 if my feminist brain were not so critical with these stories.
You should rule to earn the blessings of Allah.'
- The Genealogy of Kings by Tun Sri Lanang (Translated by Prof Muhammad Haji Salleh)
.
.
• I finished reading ‘Sulalatus Salatin/ Sejarah Melayu / The Malay Annals / Genealogy of Kings’ in the original language last year, August 20
• I finished reading ‘The Malay Annals / Genealogy of Kings’ translated by Muhammad Haji Salleh (MHS) from Malay to English on June 3rd.
- Here is my summary as I still felt my review from ‘Sejarah Melayu’ did not change much. The stories featured in this version still the same except the ‘Sejarah Melayu’ has 34 stories while the translated version only has 31 stories, the way it arranged resembled the original most of the time but what makes this even better, some footnotes in certain chapters is very detailed as it explained the context of the story which is deeply appreciated. HOWEVER, if you are not Southeast Asian, or was not raised in Southeast Asia region or never heard or read any of these Southeast Asian tales that filled with unexplained magical and mythical folklore, despite having almost perfect translation to modern English by MHS, I do not think this book is for you. Not trying to gatekeep Southeast Asian Classic literature but I just got annoyed when people outside my culture put it in their review with ‘i cannot imagine this’, ‘cannot relate’, ‘don’t get the gist’, ‘don’t understand the story at all’ and other ‘tone deaf’ comments hinting the lack of cultural awareness.
.
(My review from ‘Sejarah Melayu - The Genealogy of Kings in its original language’ that has been revised according to this version) - It has 31 stories, and it told the stories of Malay Kings and its continuity of the kingship that took place in Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Kedah, Perak and to other Neighbouring States/ countries - Southeast Asian regions to be specific. We can see how ‘Sejarah Melayu’ connected Both Peninsular Malaysia to the modern day of Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia and Thailand especially when the tales mentioned of The Javanese Empire, The Sultanate of Pasai and even Siam and Langkasuka Kingdom. Most of the conquests done by multiple marriages to strengthen ties seems to be the focus of these Malay Kings to assert their power. I can’t help but felt that it was so male-centric and patriarchal to the point i am wondering where the strong / badass women in this text are. They only mentioned women when an alliance (of marriages) was needed. The duality of these kings is so bizzarrely clear - on one side the preaching on Islamic Teaching, on another side - he killed all the men that failed to protect his son (The logic is not logicking here*) - for some reason i forgot the number of this story). There’s also rape mentioned casually in the story numbers 17. Whats gotten worse the woman voice was silenced as her father (Sri Nara Diraja) decided to marry her (Tun Manda) off with the rapist (Patih Adam) and all was forgiven because it mentioned that he was a good husband. Other than that, It was interesting to see some contradictory on ‘Sejarah Melayu’ with ‘Hikayat Hang Tuah’, after all we were led to believe that it is Hang Tuah that manipulated Teja to fall in love with him and later, she were married off to Sultan Mahmud once she eloped with Tuah. ‘Sejarah Melayu’ on the other hand insisted that it was Hang Nadim. It applies the same with Hang Jebat that was known as someone that ‘Derhaka’ (Context : it is the custom of the Malays never to rebels against their masters ; read (Kings) so if you do that, you are ‘ derhaka’ ) then Hang Tuah killed him under the command of the sultan but in ‘Sejarah Melayu’, it was Hang Kasturi. At the end of the day, ‘Obeisance / Daulat’ , ‘ Curse/ Tulah’ , ‘Rebel / Derhaka’ was widely used and referred in this text, to amplify the supremacy of Malay Sultanate ages ago. Thats what makes them almost God-like in The Malay Annals. Warning ahead, there will be countless of Killings (peasants specifically) , Wars, Deceptions and Betrayals were part of these stories and once you passed 100 pages, you already got used to it. The stories were arranged whichever it fits thus you will find that it shifted abruptly, and it was not done in sequential manner. There are only 3 stories connected that was arranged in sequence manner as it foreshadows Portuguese fleet attack on Melaka and that event led to the end of Malay Kingship in Melaka. Overall, a highly recommended reading especially for Southeast Asians specifically Malaysians - read it for the culture, history and tradition. If you feel language might impose some barrier, go for the translated version. I would have given this 5 if my feminist brain were not so critical with these stories.
rebelbooksta's review
'The Genealogy of Kings' compiled & edited by Tun Sri Lanang, translated to English by Prof Muhammad Haji Salleh from Malaysia.
As we are all aware that there hasn't been enough factual sources to identify the actual author of the Sejarah Melayu (The Malay Annals). Or as described in this book 'Hikayat Melayu' (Narratives of the Malays).
It is widely accepted that Tun Sri Lanang compiled the various hikayats and then edited them during his imprisonment. The originals were written in the ancient Jawi script. Followed by Tun Sri Lanang, it underwent several other hands and got doctored along the way.
The initiative taken by Penguin SEA together with Prof Salleh in attempting at a modern version of Sejarah Melayu is absolutely commendable. Except that I feel they can do better.
The Melaka Sultanate was a flourishing Maritime Empire. The rise and fall of Melaka heavily altered the course of history in the Malay Archipelago. It began with a Hindu-Malay equation starting from the Kelings ( the Chozhas of Tamil Country) and transformed into an Islamic Malay Peninsula - one that commands respect and honour.
Every hikayat written in this book is disjointed. Disconnected, jumping from one to another without any actual control on the timeline of the stories. Eventually it becomes confusing and hard to keep up with each Hikayat.
There were historical legends nevertheless:
1. The first Sultan descended from the progeny of Alexander and a keling Chula Princess.
2. The founding of "Singa Pura" (Lion City in Sanskrit) by Sang Nila Utama
3. The last Sultan who ruled Singapore - Sri Iskandar Shah before he was defeated by the Javanese Majapahit and escaped to Melaka.
4. The founding of Melaka by Sri Iskandar Shah
5. The legend of Badang and the stone.
6. The legend of Hang Nadim and the swordfishes.
Times like these I wish I could read the original Jawi edition.
I love the Malay heritage and the vibrancy of cultural and culinary arts they have given to humanity. I've grown up listening to Malay folk stories often narrated by my late grandmother. Thus, I am compelled to give an unbiased opinion of this read. It has fell severely short of expectations. Because that is how much I love about the stories of the various Sultans in the Malay Archipelago (Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore) which this particular book failed to give. Especially that I am born and raised in an island that was once ruled by Malay and Java kings, I expected a lot more from this epic.
I believe those who managed to enjoy this version must have had access to the more original versions in Jawi or the Romanized Malay. I am not sure if this modern version I have read has done due justice to the Sulalat al-Salatin which is considered to be the magnum opus on the reign of Malay Kings.
Special mention to Parag Chitale for the pretty cover art.
If you know of any historical Malay heritage books I should read to better understand the Sejarah Melayu, please drop a comment. Thank you.
#Igreads #thegenealogyofkings #sulalatalsalatin #tunserilanang #malayannals #sejarahmelayu #malayliterature #hikayatmelayu #malayarchipelago #malaypeninsula
#bookstagrammers
#book #bookstagram
#asianlit #asianliterature #asianwriters #translatedworks #penguinbookssea #translatedworks #penguinsoutheastasianclassics #penguinsg #singaporereads #readingnationsg #sgreads #penguinrandomhouse #southeastasianclassics
As we are all aware that there hasn't been enough factual sources to identify the actual author of the Sejarah Melayu (The Malay Annals). Or as described in this book 'Hikayat Melayu' (Narratives of the Malays).
It is widely accepted that Tun Sri Lanang compiled the various hikayats and then edited them during his imprisonment. The originals were written in the ancient Jawi script. Followed by Tun Sri Lanang, it underwent several other hands and got doctored along the way.
The initiative taken by Penguin SEA together with Prof Salleh in attempting at a modern version of Sejarah Melayu is absolutely commendable. Except that I feel they can do better.
The Melaka Sultanate was a flourishing Maritime Empire. The rise and fall of Melaka heavily altered the course of history in the Malay Archipelago. It began with a Hindu-Malay equation starting from the Kelings ( the Chozhas of Tamil Country) and transformed into an Islamic Malay Peninsula - one that commands respect and honour.
Every hikayat written in this book is disjointed. Disconnected, jumping from one to another without any actual control on the timeline of the stories. Eventually it becomes confusing and hard to keep up with each Hikayat.
There were historical legends nevertheless:
1. The first Sultan descended from the progeny of Alexander and a keling Chula Princess.
2. The founding of "Singa Pura" (Lion City in Sanskrit) by Sang Nila Utama
3. The last Sultan who ruled Singapore - Sri Iskandar Shah before he was defeated by the Javanese Majapahit and escaped to Melaka.
4. The founding of Melaka by Sri Iskandar Shah
5. The legend of Badang and the stone.
6. The legend of Hang Nadim and the swordfishes.
Times like these I wish I could read the original Jawi edition.
I love the Malay heritage and the vibrancy of cultural and culinary arts they have given to humanity. I've grown up listening to Malay folk stories often narrated by my late grandmother. Thus, I am compelled to give an unbiased opinion of this read. It has fell severely short of expectations. Because that is how much I love about the stories of the various Sultans in the Malay Archipelago (Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore) which this particular book failed to give. Especially that I am born and raised in an island that was once ruled by Malay and Java kings, I expected a lot more from this epic.
I believe those who managed to enjoy this version must have had access to the more original versions in Jawi or the Romanized Malay. I am not sure if this modern version I have read has done due justice to the Sulalat al-Salatin which is considered to be the magnum opus on the reign of Malay Kings.
Special mention to Parag Chitale for the pretty cover art.
If you know of any historical Malay heritage books I should read to better understand the Sejarah Melayu, please drop a comment. Thank you.
#Igreads #thegenealogyofkings #sulalatalsalatin #tunserilanang #malayannals #sejarahmelayu #malayliterature #hikayatmelayu #malayarchipelago #malaypeninsula
#bookstagrammers
#book #bookstagram
#asianlit #asianliterature #asianwriters #translatedworks #penguinbookssea #translatedworks #penguinsoutheastasianclassics #penguinsg #singaporereads #readingnationsg #sgreads #penguinrandomhouse #southeastasianclassics
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