A living heritage
The peoples of the Malay kingdoms created a rich heritage that still shapes life today. This heritage covers language and writing, literature, architecture, customs (adat) and religion and belief. Together these give the Malay world its special uniqueness.
Language, writing and literature
The Malay language was the common tongue and the language of trade across the region. After Islam arrived, the Jawi script — adapted from the Arabic alphabet — became the main way of writing Malay. Writers produced works such as the hikayat (heroic tales), history writing and poetry, which recorded values, beliefs and the deeds of rulers.
Custom, architecture and religion
Society was guided by adat (customary law). Two great systems survive: Adat Perpatih, a matrilineal custom traced through the mother's line and practised in Negeri Sembilan, and Adat Temenggung, a patrilineal custom traced through the father's line. Craftsmen built graceful traditional houses, mosques and palaces. In belief, the early kingdoms followed Hinduism and Buddhism, and later embraced Islam. Skilled artisans also produced fine woodcarving, songket weaving and metalwork that decorated homes and royal courts, and these crafts are still admired today as proud symbols of Malay identity.
Key idea
The heritage of the Malay kingdoms — language, Jawi, literature, adat, architecture and religion — forms a unique cultural identity worth preserving for future generations.
Remember
- Jawi was adapted from the Arabic alphabet.
- Adat Perpatih = matrilineal (Negeri Sembilan); Adat Temenggung = patrilineal.
- Early religions were Hinduism and Buddhism, followed later by Islam.