Book
Life and customs: the incidents of Malay life
Kelly and Walsh • (1) • Published In 1920 • Pages: 71
By: Wilkinson, R. J. (Richard James),1867-1941.
Abstract
This is one of a series of pamphlets on various subjects connected with Malaya of which the present author is the general editor. The contents consist in a sketch of the outstanding practices, taboos, rituals and beliefs attendant upon the main life crises in Malay life. The chapters are arranged in the chronological order of these life crises, from infancy and childhood, through betrothal and marriage, to adult life, sickness and death, together with an appendix on birth customs and rites attendant upon pregnancy in Perak. The latter appendix is by the authority on matters Malay, R. O. Winstedt. There is a final appendix also, consisting of Romanized Malay texts of lullabies, betrothal verses and the text of a circumcision rite. The outstanding features of this paper, including the first appendix, are: first, that care is taken to distinguish between folk practices and court paractices and the functional and historical relationships between these two levels are made clear; second, that both the functional and historical analyses are interpretations of the aspects of culture here treated are carefully and critically done. The functional interpretation of the so-called conservatism of Malay ceremonial culture is interesting. A useful picture is presented throughout of the true relationships between the various levels of Malay religion, particularly between the Muslim and pre-Muslim aspects thereof.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2010
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- Southeast Asia
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Government Official
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- F. K. Lehman ; 1955
- Field Date
- No date
- Coverage Date
- 1900-1920
- Coverage Place
- Malaysia
- Notes
- [by] R. J. Wilkinson
- LCSH
- Malays (Asian people)