By Ninot Aziz

Malaysian motifs, a reflection of civilisation

Conversations are an important part to seek ideas and inspiration. 

One afternoon in February at our gallery in GMBB KL where many creative minds come together, I had a conversation with Azmi Said,  a champion for entrepreneurs and the Orange community. This question was raised at a recent Think City event by  Rainer Kern, co-chair of the UNESCO Cities Network of Music, “Is there a design that I can buy and bring back which I can say is a design that is recognised as an identity from Malaysia?”.

This question stayed with me for days. It was a puzzle I needed to solve. 

The thinking of the our people have been closely aligned to nature for thousands of years.  The landscape of the region could be so treacherous and challenging, as such required a high level of understanding  to ensure safety from disasters – from the mountains and hills to the vast oceans and waters of the Malay Archipelago which were once known as the Primula Bay and Lautan Melayu. 

This close relationship with nature surrounded by tropical forests was translated into daily life.  The intricacies of the rivers that provided sustenance could also bring about disaster when hit by monsoon storms. Every river and every wilderness is different and must be understood. The indigenous people, including the Malays, were so adept at carefully observing the cycles of nature.  Great thinkers, these observations were interwoven into the lifestyles, arts, crafts, local knowledge, and wisdom.

From the hikayat, we learn of activities like land clearing, farming, fishing, royal customs, and adat. The Malays understood threats and difficulties, thus, learned to weave beauty in all that they do. 

True Legacies

One of the legacies of our collective heritage is the classic motifs that is synonymous with all Malay handiwork.  This was the result of creativity that reflected high-level thinking skills.  Among others, these motifs could be seen in tekat art, weaving, batik, songket and keringkam, wood carving, telepuk carving, and metal works like bronze and silverware.

Typically, classical motifs are used in textile art and fashion, wood carving, manuscript borders, hulu keris, pottery and copper tools, shipbuilding, classical musical instruments, palace construction, houses, and almost all Malay world appliances.  

Such motifs also decorated household tools, such as coconut scrapers, furniture such as beds, and traditional games such as the majestic wau, tops, quail traps, and bird cages.  Ornamental items that were important in Malay customs, such as the ceremonial tepak sireh and gold jewellery symbolised quality and authenticity. They evolved over time and became ingrained in our identity. 

Why do we value art in all interpretations of our heritage?

The new chairman of MyCreative Venture, Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik is passionate about the importance of art and culture.  He shared his thoughts on Malaysiana motifs, “Preserving our cultural heritage through Malaysiana motifs is not just about fashion, it’s about passing down a legacy to our future generations, so they can wear it with pride and keep our traditions alive.”

 Indeed, Malaysiana motifs reflect the identity of our ancient civilisation.

Inspiration from Mother Earth

The late Mak Ungku Azah Aziz once said, “Malays are so fascinated, moved and inspired by the elements of nature with all its wisdom, secrets, treasures and allusions…this is clearly reflected in the shape and appearance, patterns and colors and the words that are born  in all areas of creation…like the pantun.”

What becomes clear, is the wisdom manifested through cultural legacies such as classic motifs and poems.

Art results from values, and a sense of love for perfection, closely related to harmony with nature.  Adiguru and artisans have designed sketches of such high artistic value that they were used throughout the Malay World in all forms. 

These motifs and concepts have also manifested ideas such as sustainability, common sense, and overall well-being.

 Flora and Fauna Inspiration

 Prof.  Dr. Norwani Md.  Nawawi (UiTM), a Malaysian and regional Malay weaving expert shared her view, “Classical Malay motifs usually evolve from the surrounding natural world as well as the creative ingenuity of designers.  Most of the classical motifs come from flora and fauna that are related to medicinal cures and daily nutrition.”

 In addition to songket weaving and batik, we can see the use of plant motifs in the art of wood carving and tekat art including Rebung or bamboo shoots motifs,  lotus flower motifs, and Tampuk Manggis.  Fauna motifs are characterised by roosters and ducks, closely related to kampung life. 

 From such motifs, unique batik, songket, and various textiles were produced which made Alam Malay a leading trade centre hundreds of years ago.

Inspired  Design

From wayang kulit and Makyung, motifs synonymous with the heritage of this performance are evident in tools, fashion, and jewellery worn by performers. In addition to the stories told on stage, the designs of costumes, props, and backdrops, imbued with our motifs tell another story of heritage, that withstood the hands of time til today.

One of the Malaysiana motifs

The weaving artisans of our country are actually one of the best in the world.  From ketupat to Penan woven baskets, Terengganu mengkuang mats, and various types of household items, our woven artifacts have their own unique designs such as Pecah Lapan, Kelarai Berhati, Kelarai Tampuk Pinang and many more.

The Malay house is one of the most suitable abodes in tropical countries. It has to endure hot weather, rain, and thunderstorms as well as protect from dangerous wild animals.  It is highly functional yet adorned with artistic carvings such as awan larat and sulur motifs and various other motifs inspired by plants. Calligraphic motifs using Quranic passages adorn the entrances of houses, mosques and surau.

In conclusion, the history of Malay Alam motif art is the big secret of Malay Adiguru.  Our ancestors have gifted us a priceless treasure. Should we just let it disappear with the evolution of time?

 Not at all.  Such motifs is the pinnacle of the beauty, delicacy and artistry of Malay design.  This is the identity of the Malays that we should champion and promote to the world as proof of a rich legacy in the arts.

Proof of the existence of civilisation, and national identity that we should be proud of.

NOTE: Ninot Aziz is an author, culture activist, folklorist. She is also President of
Persatuan Sastera Lisan Malaysia (PERSALIMA).