Old names for new things: two items of Malay royal regalia as invented tradition

Main author: Hijjas, Mulaika
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-41435
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description This article examines two objects of Malay royal regalia: the Perak betel-box known as the puan naga taru and the Riau emblem known as the cogan. Drawing on Hobsbawm and Ranger’s articulation of ‘invented tradition’, and on Amoroso’s of ‘traditionalism’ with reference to Malay kingship, detailed comparison of the textual and material records is adduced to argue that the physical objects themselves are likely to be much younger than the traditions underlying them. Colonial officials who documented regalia objects and collected information about them were also implicated in the traditionalising process. Nineteenth-century beliefs and practices about the potency of royal regalia are contrasted with those current in the present day, where the regalia objects are more desacralised than ever before.
format Journal Article
author Hijjas, Mulaika
author_facet Hijjas, Mulaika
authorStr Hijjas, Mulaika
author_letter Hijjas, Mulaika
title Old names for new things: two items of Malay royal regalia as invented tradition
publisher Taylor and Francis
publishDate 2024
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/41435/