Malaysia Museum of Enthology
- 3 years ago
Malaysia Museum of Enthology
Malay World Ethnology Museum
Malay culture is rich and steeped in various influences. This is thanks to the strategic geographic location of the Malay Peninsula which made it an important trade centre for traders from as far as India, the Middle East and China. Wars with powerful neighbouring kingdoms (what is now Thailand and Indonesia), as well as the invasion of foreign powers such as the Portuguese, Dutch and English have also added to the tapestry that is the Malay heritage we know today.
The gallery focuses on the diversity of Malay society and culture in Malaysia through a highly aesthetic collections of artefacts, such as traditional arts, clothing and jewellery, traditional games and weaponry. In addition, the depiction of the social and cultural life of the Malays in Malaysia in the gallery is portrayed by dioramas of a Malay traditional village; a Wayang-Kulit (shadow-play) theater; a Malay wedding dais; and the making of Wau Bulan (moon-kites). Among the fascinating collections on display are the Cik Siti Wan Kembang dress; the wedding dais of Perak; wayang kulit (shadow-play) figures; a variety of replicas of perahu (boats) and others.
Malay-World Ethnology Museum is located within the grounds of the National Museum and visitors can see both with the same ticket (together with the Orang Asli Craft Museum which is on the lower ground floor of the Ethnology Museum building).
This museum depicts lot of information about Malay peoples and the relationships between them. It has some interesting exhibits and you can learn useful facts about the Malay world which might be new to you.
Displays explain how three belief systems have influenced Malay civilisation, namely the pagan (animist) phase, the Hindu-Buddhist phase and the Islamic phase. Pagan beliefs shaped the Malay world’s interest in spirits, ghosts and demons, topics which often appear in Malay popular culture such as films and TV programmes.
Bersanding is an integral part of a Malay wedding. The bride and groom are seated at a pelamin (an elevated platform, usually elaborately decorated) side by side, and a reception is held for family and friends. Traditionally, one would find items such as bunga telur (a decorative ‘egg’ flower to represent fertility), although these are becoming rarer in big cities. Certain other traditions such as spraying rose water and pouring scented petals onto the couple are also slowly done away for the sake of convenience.
The Malay-Polynesian civilisation covers a wide area from Taiwan to New Zealand and from Madagascar to Easter Island and includes peoples such as the Malays, Javanese, Minang, Iban, Tagalog, Cham, Bugis, Ami, Maori, Malagasi and many others.
The museum displays the traditional Malay weapons. There were two types of weapon displayed, the long weapons (long keris, spear, etc) and short weapons (short keris). Next was the Malay traditional wood carving, followed by metalworks and pottery.
Malay World Ethnology Museum
Malay culture is rich and steeped in various influences. This is thanks to the strategic geographic location of the Malay Peninsula which made it an important trade centre for traders from as far as India, the Middle East and China. Wars with powerful neighbouring kingdoms (what is now Thailand and Indonesia), as well as the invasion of foreign powers such as the Portuguese, Dutch and English have also added to the tapestry that is the Malay heritage we know today.
The gallery focuses on the diversity of Malay society and culture in Malaysia through a highly aesthetic collections of artefacts, such as traditional arts, clothing and jewellery, traditional games and weaponry. In addition, the depiction of the social and cultural life of the Malays in Malaysia in the gallery is portrayed by dioramas of a Malay traditional village; a Wayang-Kulit (shadow-play) theater; a Malay wedding dais; and the making of Wau Bulan (moon-kites). Among the fascinating collections on display are the Cik Siti Wan Kembang dress; the wedding dais of Perak; wayang kulit (shadow-play) figures; a variety of replicas of perahu (boats) and others.
Malay-World Ethnology Museum is located within the grounds of the National Museum and visitors can see both with the same ticket (together with the Orang Asli Craft Museum which is on the lower ground floor of the Ethnology Museum building).
This museum depicts lot of information about Malay peoples and the relationships between them. It has some interesting exhibits and you can learn useful facts about the Malay world which might be new to you.
Displays explain how three belief systems have influenced Malay civilisation, namely the pagan (animist) phase, the Hindu-Buddhist phase and the Islamic phase. Pagan beliefs shaped the Malay world’s interest in spirits, ghosts and demons, topics which often appear in Malay popular culture such as films and TV programmes.
Bersanding is an integral part of a Malay wedding. The bride and groom are seated at a pelamin (an elevated platform, usually elaborately decorated) side by side, and a reception is held for family and friends. Traditionally, one would find items such as bunga telur (a decorative ‘egg’ flower to represent fertility), although these are becoming rarer in big cities. Certain other traditions such as spraying rose water and pouring scented petals onto the couple are also slowly done away for the sake of convenience.
The Malay-Polynesian civilisation covers a wide area from Taiwan to New Zealand and from Madagascar to Easter Island and includes peoples such as the Malays, Javanese, Minang, Iban, Tagalog, Cham, Bugis, Ami, Maori, Malagasi and many others.
The museum displays the traditional Malay weapons. There were two types of weapon displayed, the long weapons (long keris, spear, etc) and short weapons (short keris). Next was the Malay traditional wood carving, followed by metalworks and pottery.