A Review of the Elements of Nature and the Malay Cultural Landscape through Malay Literature

Mohd Amirul Hussain,Sumarni Ismail,Nor Atiah Ismail,Nor Fazamimah Mohd Ariffin,Mohd Yazid Mohd Yunos

doi:10.3390/su12062154

Mohd Amirul Hussain, Sumarni Ismail + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062154

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Abstract

Research on the Malay cultural landscape in the Malay Archipelago is based on several factors, which include function, tradition, and the Malay culture. These factors are widely found in Malay literature, which plays a significant role in designing the landscape of Malay culture. Malay literature includes Old Malay manuscripts, Hikayat Melayu (Malay folktales), and Malay poetry, all of which are based on the beliefs, mindsets, and culture of the Malay community. These are demonstrated in a tangible or intangible manner through the environment of the traditional Malay lifestyle, inherent in Malay life values and in the symbolism of places. This review employed a document analysis to identify the elements and components of the Malay cultural landscape and its metaphorical aspects, as reflected in the aforementioned four types of Malay literature. Moreover, this review obtained information on the elements of the Malay cultural landscape that determine and explain the nature, function, and similarity of these aspects through symbolism in the landscape and culture of the Malays in Malaysia. Indirectly, this review proved the long existence of a systematic Malay cultural landscape throughout the Malay Archipelago that remains essential for future cultural sustainability. Finally, elements of the Malay landscape were identified, which could be applied as guidelines for designers in outlining a Malay cultural landscape.

Highlights

The purpose of this review is to identify and highlight the elements of the Malay cultural landscape as recorded in Malay literature, which consists of cultural and artistic values that portray Malay symbolism
As stated by Mahmud [1], many written facts about the study of Malay history are recorded in Malay literature, but this information is only available in certain sources of Malay history, such as Old Malay manuscripts, Hikayat Melayu (Malay folktales), and Malay poetry
The Malay cultural landscape is under intense pressure from urbanization and the changing social patterns of the Malay community itself, which has led to the risk that it disappears completely

Summary

Introduction

The purpose of this review is to identify and highlight the elements of the Malay cultural landscape as recorded in Malay literature, which consists of cultural and artistic values that portray Malay symbolism. As stated by Mahmud [1], many written facts about the study of Malay history (such as the life of the Malay people, their nature, their traditions, and their customs) are recorded in Malay literature, but this information is only available in certain sources of Malay history, such as Old Malay manuscripts, Hikayat Melayu (Malay folktales), and Malay poetry. These sources provide a brief overview of the Malay cultural environment and the use of landscape elements in the life of the Malay community. Whelan and Moore [6] argued that the landscape of human ecology is a cultural practice where each race delves into the process of distinguishing between nature and the environment

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion