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NOMINATION FORM
PART A – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Summary
Please highlight uniqueness and universal value of proposed documentary heritage:
Hikayat Hang Tuah is regarded as a Malay literary classic and a traditional Malay epic.
This folk tale has been proudly recounted to generations of Malays. It is recognised as a
national literary classic which is well-known not only amongst the Malays but also to the
people in the Malay Archipelago. Much studies have been made on this manuscript by
local and foreign researchers.
Hang Tuah is characterised as most illustrious Malay hero in Malacca and represented
absolute loyalty to the ruler as the ultimate champion of Malay loyalty, chivalry and
obedience to tradition. Hikayat Hang Tuah symbolises the greatness of Malacca at that
time whilst projecting the bravery of the Malays.
The National Library of Malaysia has in its possession two manuscripts of Hikayat Hang
Tuah, with identification number MSS 1658 and MSS 1713. The manuscripts are written
on old European paper about 200 years ago. Colophon statement is distinctly absent, as is
usual in the tradition of Malay manuscripts writing. To this day the author of the hikayat
remains unknown. The manuscripts are being preserved in an acid-free box and kept in
strong room which is designed according to the accepted standards of preservation
requirements.
1.
Identity and Location
1.1
Name of documentary heritage
Hikayat Hang Tuah
1.2
Country
Malaysia
1.3
State, province or region
Federal Territory
1
1.4
Address
232, Jalan Tun Razak,
50572 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
1.5
Name of organization or institution (if appropriate)
National Library of Malaysia
2.
Legal Information
2.1
Owner (name and contact details)
National Library of Malaysia,
Centre for Malay Manuscripts,
232, Jalan Tun Razak,
50572 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
2.2
Custodian (name and contact details)
(Refer to 2.1)
2.3
Legal status
(a)
Category of ownership: National Library of Malaysia
(b)
Details of legal and administrative provisions for the preservation
of the documentary heritage
The National Library Act 1972 (Amendment 1987) provides
provisions relating to cultural heritage as follows:
4(2)
(c)
The Director General shall have the following functions:
to acquire and maintain a comprehensive national collection
of library resources reflecting the intellectual, literary and
cultural heritage of the nation as well as representative
national collection reflecting the accumulated knowledge
and wisdom of mankind;
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(d)
to establish within the Library –
(iii) the National Centre for Malay Manuscripts for the
acquisition, documentation and use of Malay
Manuscripts.
The National Library of Malaysia has produced a Policy on Malay
Manuscript which stipulates policy on acquisition, documentation and
preservation of Malay manuscript collection as intellectual heritage of the
people and the nation as well as providing research service related to
Malay manuscript.
(c)
Accessibility
The original work is not available as research material. A
microfilm copy is made available for public use. However, it is
opened for public viewing.
(d)
Copyright status
Vests with National Library of Malaysia
2.4
Responsible administration
(a)
details should be given of the mechanism or organization already
established, or to be established, to ensure the proper management
of the documentary heritage
Preserved in accordance with procedures as stipulated in the Policy
on Malay Manuscripts.
3.
Identification
3.1
Description and inventory
Hikayat Hang Tuah is regarded as a Malay literary classic and a traditional
Malay epic which is the pride of the Malays. Hikayat Hang Tuah catches
the imagination of many generations in the whole of Insular Southeast
Asia. It is shared by Indonesian, Singaporean, Bruneian and Malaysian
Malay and foregrounds a culture hero. Some critics have compared the
epic to The Odyssey and The Illiad.
The author of Hikayat Hang Tuah is not known but he/she has left a work
of genius and must have been an intellectual of his/her time. The literary
space covers from early 15th century, the fall of Melaka in 1511 to 1641 as
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most version ends with events occuring in that year which is the defeat of
Portuguese Melaka by Dutch and Johor forces.
Hikayat Hang Tuah is characterised as the most illustrious of Malay hero
in Melaka. The ultimate champion of Melaka of royalty and chivalry,
Hang Tuah describes the world of Malay palace life and customs along
with the internal life of the man who must be both servant and warrior.
3.2
Bibliographic/Registration details
Hikayat Hang Tuah MSS 1658 comprises 159 leaves, measuring 37 x
24 cm written on modern paper. Traditional repair has been done and
bound.
Hikayat Hang Tuah MSS 1713 comprises 182 leaves measuring 33.5 x
21.5 cm written on English laid paper on both sides. Folio 1 and folio 2
are beautifully decorated with illuminations of floral designs in red,
yellow, blue and green covering the whole page, leaving a diamond shape
space for writing of text. The manuscript is beautifully bound in full
leather with designs from gold stamping. Traditional repair has been done
and rebound using its original cover.
Both the manuscripts are about 200 years old.
To preserve this precious original work, special care is needed.
Photocopying is strictly prohibited. Microfilm copy is made available for
public viewing and research of the manuscript. Digitization of MSS 1713
is being planned to enable wider accessibility.
All the manuscripts acquired are being catalogued for publication. Both
the entries of MSS 1658 and MSS 1713 appear in Manuskrip Melayu
Koleksi Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia: satu katalog ringkas. Tambahan
ketiga. 1997. MSS 1713 was exhibited in an International Exhibition of
Malay Manuscripts held from 2-13 October 1995. An Exhibition
Catalogue was published entitled Katalog Pameran Manuskrip Melayu
Antarabangsa, 1995.
3.3
Visual documentation, if appropriate (for example, photographs
or a video of the documentary heritage)
Specimen of photographs and diskette of the manuscripts for reference.
3.4
History
Manuscript MSS 1658 was purchased on 29 May 1992 from Singapore.
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Manuscript MSS 1713 was purchased on 30 October 1992 from a royal
family from the state of Kelantan, Malaysia.
3.5
Bibliography
1.
Characterisation in Hikayat Hang Tuah: a general survey of
methods of character-potrayal and analysis and interpretation of
the characters of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat by Kassim Ahmad.
Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1966.
2.
An attempt of interpretation of the main characters of the Malay
Hikayat Hang Tuah by B. Parnickel. Moscow: Oriental Literature
Publishing House, 1960.
3.
A study of genre: meaning and form in the Malay Hikayat Hang
Tuah by Shelly Errington. 1975.
(Thesis for the Doctor of Philosophy – Cornell University)
4.
Hikayat Hang Tuah: analisa struktur dan fungsi oleh Sulastin
Sutrisno. Yogyokarta: Gadjah Mada University Press, 1993.
5.
Hikayat Hang Tuah, dikaji dan diperkenalkan oleh Kassim Ahmad
dengan pengenalan tambahan oleh Noriah Mohamed. Kuala
Lumpur: Yayasan Karyawan dan Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka,
1997.
6.
Hikayat Hang Tuah: Malay epic and Muslim mirror. V.I.
Braginsky. Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land-en Volkenkunde, 146 (4),
1990: 399-412.
7.
Swettenham’s Manuscript of Hikayat Hang Tuah. Virginia
Matheson Hooker. Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal
Asiatic Society, Vol. 64 Pt. 2 1991: 79-101.
8.
Some historical sources used by the author of Hikayat Hang Tuah.
T. Iskandar. Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic
Society, Vol. 43 Pt. 1 1970: 35-47.
9.
The rise and decline of a national hero. P.E. de Josselin de Jong.
Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol.
38 Pt. 2 1965: 140-155.
10.
Mendialog wira: hujah di sebalik kata oleh Muhammad Haji
Salleh in Menyeberang sejarah. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa
dan Pustaka, 1999.
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11.
Central values of the Malay hero Hang Tuah by Muhammad Haji
Salleh. Tenggara no. 17/18: 74-97.
Note: Many articles have been written by local and foreign scholars
which are not possible to be cited.
3.6
Names, qualifications and contact details of independent people or
organizations with expert knowledge about the values and provenance of
the documentary heritage
1.
2.
3.
4.
Professor Dr.Muhammad Haji Salleh, School of Humanity
Studies, Science University Malaysia.
Professor Dr. Mohd Taib Osman, Former Head of Malay Studies,
University Malaya.
Siti Mariani S.M.Omar, Director Centre for Malay Manuscripts,
National Library of Malaysia.
Assessment against the Selection Criteria
4.1
Assessment of the documentary heritage against each criterion described
in General Guidelines to Safeguard Documentary Heritage, Chapter 4,
Section 4.
Criterion 1 – Influence:
The Hikayat Hang Tuah is an exemplary text which describes the
behaviour of the ideal Malay subject, Hang Tuah, who dedicates his life to
serving his ruler. The relationship established between Hang Tuah and his
Sultan presented a model for Malay rulers and subjects. The historical
time-span covered by the text, from the beginning of the Sultanate of
Melaka (early 15th century) till the Dutch invasion in 1641, is a period too
long for people with mortal life-spans. The characters then, are
allegorical, and Hang Tuah’s many exploits to demonstrate the greatness
of his Sultan, are symbolic but at the same time described with sufficient
realism to make them credible and enthralling. Hang Tuah represents a
composite figure. In addition, elements from folklore and legends have
been incorporated in Hikayat Hang Tuah. All these elements are not only
used as literary ornamentation, but they form an integral part of the
hikayat. Hang Tuah’s superhuman life-span is matched by the distances
he covers in his many voyages. His exploits span the then-known world
as he travels to China, Sumatera, Java, Thailand, India, the Middle East
and Constantinople on missions for the Sultan of Melaka. His missions
abroad were varied. Expansion of trade relations and political ties with
the countries were the main objective whilst spreading the influence of
Melaka and its sultanate. His loyalty to his ruler extended even to
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pursuade a Chinese princess to accept the ruler’s proposal which resulted
in a prolonged cordial relationship between China and Melaka. His
mission to Turkey was to purchase guns and ammunition in order to
fortify Melaka against the possible Portuguese aggression. Hang Tuah’s
relationship with his temporal ruler is balanced by the presentation of his
relationships with a series of holy people from whom he gains spiritual
knowledge. By the end of the Hikayat he is referred to as wali Allah, a
saint. His power to save and protect is so strong that Malays see him as
linked with their well-being as a people and he is considered to be
immortal. The epic testifies that he did not die in 1641 but retired to the
interior of the country where he still lives with the Batiq people but always
ready to come to their rescue whenever he is needed.
Criterion 2-Time:
The Hikayat Hang Tuah relates the territorial, diplomatic and political
achievement of the Malays during the 15th century till the fall of the
sultanate of Melaka in 1641.
Criterion 3-Place:
Reflects geographical span as known to the Malays during that period
covering the Malay Archipelago, Thailand, China in the East, Turkey,
Egypt and even Byzantine Rome.
Criterion 4-People:
Reflects the cultural and social values of the Malays.
Criterion 5-Subject/Theme:
Hang Tuah is cultural hero embodying values both local and universal.
All the good qualities found either from historical as well as from other
sources are personated in the person of Hang Tuah as a national hero, and
he has remained at this eminence to present time.
Criterion 6-Form and Style:
The manuscripts are written in the Jawi or Arab-Malay script, displaying
the naskh calligraphy style of writing.
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Criterion 7-Social Value:
Hikayat Hang Tuah was created to boost the morale of the Malays to
regain their greatness such as that during the Malacca period. This work
has its impact on the Malays even to these days. A Malaysian frigate was
named Hang Tuah. Also, the Hikayat Hang Tuah has been reenacted in
numerous plays, novels, films, comics and children’s stories. The modern
literary recasting of the story is dynamic on one hand appealing to
patriotic feeling but the other hand also to earnest questioning of his mere
loyalty.
Secondary Criterion 1-Integrity: Nil.
Secondary Criterion 2-Rarity:
It is the only original romance in old Malay literature.
4.2
Contextual assessment
Due to its status as a literary classic, the Hikayat Hang Tuah has been used
as a text for the study of Malay literature in the Upper Secondary level of
education.
4.3
An evaluation of the authenticity
Even though the author of the Hikayat Hang Tuah remains unknown there
are similarities in the stories and incidents as cited in the Sejarah Melayu,
or Malay Annals, another classical text of Malay literature.
5.
Management plan
Statement of the significance of the documentary heritage.
The National Library of Malaysia has in its possession two manuscripts of
Hikayat Hang Tuah, with identification number MSS 1658 and MSS 1713 of
which studies have not been made. The MSS 1713 originaly belongs to a royal
family, therefore regarded as an invaluable property.
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Access Policy and Procedures
Microfilm copy is made available for research purposes. However, permission is
granted to refer to the original manuscript under certain circumstances but under
strict supervision of staf. Photocopying from the manuscript is strictly prohibited.
Preservation and managerial policies to control the physical environment.
The manuscripts are kept in a depository room in a fire resistant vault under
preservation features as follows:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
Temperature : 18oC is maintained
Humidity :
60% is maintained
Sunlight:
No sunlight is allowed
Equipment: Equiped with Quartz Thermo Hygraph and dehumidifier
Security:
The door is double-layered with fire resistant features and
double lock devices. The combination number of the vault is restricted for
use by the Director and Librarian of the Centre of Malay Manuscripts
only.
Disaster prevention and restoration plans
Prevention disasters
Installation of smoke detector, fire alarm and automatic fire
extinguisher
Stored in a vault with fire resistant feature
Preservation staff
Number 15
Experience: More than 10 years specialising in conservation and
preservation of manuscript.
6.
Consultation
6.1
7.
Details of consultation about the nomination
(a)
Owner: National Library of Malaysia
(b)
Custodian:
- do (c)
Relevant Regional or National Memory of the World Committee: Nil
Nominator
7.1
Name: Siti Mariani bt. S.M.Omar
7.2
Relationship to documentary heritage:
Manuscripts, National Library of Malaysia
Director, Centre of Malay
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7.3
Contact person (if appropriate): indicated above
7.4
Contact details:
Telephone:
Fax :
E-mail:
603-2924788, 603-2943488
603-2927899
pmm@pnm.my
PART B – SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
8.
Assessment of Risk:
There is always a threat existing due to the heat and humidity of the tropical
climate. However, preventive measures as indicated in (5) will ensure that the
manuscripts are in a safe condition.
9.
Preservation Assessment




Present physical state: Have been repaired and bound.
History of preservation: Not preserved properly especially MSS 1713
where the acidity of the ink has resulted in the papers being burnt and the
text non-readable.
Current preservation policy in relation to proposed nominated
documentary heritage: Well preserved in accordance to international
standard.
Person or organization responsible for preservation: National Library of
Malaysia
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