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

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.

Tabulation and Landscape Characters of Lenggong Valley’s Malay Traditional Houses

“…The traditional Malay landscape provides historic information and the reflection of daily life and the principle of the Islamic religion of Malay communities. For example, a traditional Malay house is built with the entrance facing the sun, the importance of the space spatial organisation in tangent with the activities carried out by the occupant, and the selection of the house within the village itself (Hussain et al, 2020;Harun, 2008).…”

“…This is evidenced through the compound analysis of RLBP01, which utilised the front compound with an element of decoration for welcoming purposes and the rear compound for edibility and medicine, especially through the planted coconut palm tree (Cocos Nucifiera). According to Hussain et al (2020), coconut palm also functions as a security fence alongside providing a source of food and aesthetics.…”

Interactions of Artistic Expressions with Spatial Contexts in the Isolo Performance of Sentani Tribe, Putali Village, Indonesia

“…However, this research is limited to the extremely specific context of temple architecture, leaving the opportunity for future research on spatial influences with a broader scope. According to Hussain et al (2021), cultural symbols and artistic rituals are profoundly embedded in spatial contexts, communicating complex meanings that go beyond mere visual appeal. Cultural norms, values, and social dynamics in Malaysia are reflected in their findings that artistic expressions are not isolated phenomena but are intricately intertwined with the physical environment.…”

Cosmology in Contemporary Public Sculpture

“…In the practice of Malay custom, cosmology has been observed and appreciated as apart of Malay tradition. According to Hussain (2020) that the value on beliefs, ways of thinking and culture have been the bases of the Malay cosmology. These values have been directly depicted in the design, art, composition, symbols and functions within Malay literature.…”