Sirih (Betel Pepper): History and culture

In English literature known as Betel Pepper Liquid Extract. But botanical name known as “Piper betel”It is under family of Piperaceae. However, Malay called it Sirih.

There is archaeological evidence that the betel leaves have been chewed along with the Arica nut since very ancient times it is not known when these two different stimulants substances were first put together. Betel leaf and areca nut are regarded as auspicious symbols of hospitality, and denote a moral, social, and legal commitment. Malay culture and tradition hold betel nut and betel leaves in high esteem, evident through their use in many social and religious ceremonies.

According to De Candolle in 1884 betel pepper might have originated in the Malay Archipelago. In 1966 Burkill described the native place as Central and Eastern Malaysia where the crop as cultivated and spread though tropical Asia and Malaysia.

The Portuguese doctor, Tome Pires, who lived in Malacca between 1512 and 1515, wrote that betel chewing, “helps digestion, comforts the brain, strengthens the teeth and sweetens the breath” as well as holding ceremonial, social and symbolic meanings.

With known ethno-medicinal properties, this plant is widely use in India, Indonesia and other countries of the Indochina region (Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Kampuchea, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore).

Many experts interested in betel leaves a new source of natural antioxidant because the leaves are traditional used to maintain healthy health.

It is common custom throughout India, Malaysia and Indonesia the leaves are chewed, alone or with other plant materials including the areca nut, lime, and catechu for their mouth-freshening, digestives, aphrodisiac and sense of wellbeing properties.

Betel leaf or Piper betle or sirih has been described from ancient times as an aromatic stimulo-carminitive, astringent and aphrodisiac.

There is activity known as makan sireh in Malaysia. It needs three different plants used in combination: the betel nut which is the seed of the areca palm, the betel leaf which comes from the pan plant, and lime. The leaf is first daubed with lime paste and topped with thin slices of the nut before it is folded or rolled into a bite-size quid. It acts as a mouth freshener, helps digestion and creates a sense of euphoria almost like chocolate does.

The leaves are aromatic and produces an aromatic volatile oil containing a phenol called chavicol which has powerful antiseptic properties. It is also containing oxalic acid, tannin and terpenes. It tastes varies from sweet to pungent.

Pharmacological effects of betel chewing include abundant flow of saliva, temporary dulled of taste perception, stimulation of muscular and mental efficiency.

The extraction from the leaves form Java, Manila shows that the leaves contain starch, sugars, tannin, diastase and an essential oil to the extent of 4,2%. The essential oil is a light yellow liquid of aromatic odor and sharp burning taste.
Sirih (Betel Pepper): History and culture

Sulalatus Salatin or Sejarah Melayu

The Sulalatus Salatin is considered the most important Malay historical work. Sulalatus Salatin or Sejarah Melayu was written by Tun Seri Lanang in 1612.

The book was about the history, the achievement and the downfall of Malacca empire. The book probably reflects eighteenth-century rather than sixteenth century practices.

It was called ‘the most famous, distinctive and best of all Malay literary works’ by Sir Richard Winstedt, one of the most prominent scholars to study this work in detail during the last hundred years.

The core of the Sulalatus Salatin purports to record the history of the Malay Sultanate of Malacca from the time its establishment in the late 14th century to its fall to the Portuguese in 1511. Later versions also include historical accounts relating to other Malay Kingdom, including Johor and Siak, which postdated that of Malacca.

 Although Sulalatus Salatin was written with the intention of prompting the extremes of the Malay kings, its author did not take this to extremes. On the other hand, the flaws of the Malay kings did not escape the writer’s attention. The most ever criticism is reserved for Sultan Mahmud, who could not resist the sight of a beautiful woman.
Sulalatus Salatin or Sejarah Melayu

Raja Haji Ali (1808-1873)

Ali Haji bin Raja Haji Ahmad also known as Raja Haji Ali was a greatest Malay writers of the 19th century. He was the grandson of Raja Haji, Marhum Teluk Ketapang, whose demise occurred in battle during the attack on the Dutch in Malacca.

He belonged to the Malay-Bugis royal house of Riau and underwent a broad education, which was to equip him to make a significant contribution to various areas of learning.

Raja Haji Ali is best known for his writing:
*Tuhfat al-Nafis (1865) – The Precious Gift
*Salasilah Melayu dan Bugis 1890

The Tuhfat is a history of the Johor-Riau-Lingga area from the late seventeenth to the mid-seventeenth century. Parts of the book contain long sections of genealogies of the royal families, including the major achievement of each reign.

Raja Haji Ali completed Tuhfat al-Nafis during a period when the Malay world was in great flux. Rivalry and conflicts were evident between the Bugis, their Malay hosts and the Dutch colonial authorities.

The diverse skills of Raj Ali Haji were displayed his expertise in various field, which cover Malay language, theology, law, history, grammar, poetry, custom and traditions, and statecraft.

The principal works of grammar by Raj Ali Haji are composed in:
*The Bustan al-Katibin 1857
*The uncompleted Kitab Pengetahuan Bahasa

Two works on statecraft:
*Intizam Waza’if al-Malik 1857
*Thamarat al-Mahammah 1857

Among the elements of reform that are found in the works of Raja Ali Haji are the disclosure of dates, acknowledgment for using other sources as reference and validation and the author’s own statement that any errors found in his writings would be corrected by his descendents on the future.
Raja Haji Ali (1808-1873)

Origin of Brunei

Barunai of Sanskrit origin comes from the word Varuna. In its Malay context, it referred to a nation of seafarers and traders.

The hypothesis of Brunei by Nicholl in 1980 related to Empire of Funan collapsed due to Khmer advance, the Sailendra family fled to Borneo some time in 680s. They settled on the shores of Brunei Bay at the mouth of the Lawas River. Later they built new capital of Srivijaya known as Burni and P’o-ni or Fo-ni in Chinese.

P’o-ni continues to be mentioned in Chinese sources and it appears to have occupied part of the First Division of Sarawak and to have extended into West Kalimantan.

Old Brunei was a nation of Malay-Hindu-Buddhists, according to a Chinese account, believed to be an early China reference to Brute Oki Brunei was aid to have similar Malay-Hindu-Buddhist traditions and customs as Funan or Kumlum.

Alak Betatar is known as the first Muslim Ruler as well as the founder of the original Brunei state. After accepted Islam he changed his name to Sultan Muhammad Shah (1363-1402) in honor of Prophet.

The second sultan, Sultan Ahmad, was the first to name ‘Brunei’ from the word ‘Barunah’.

Following conversion to Islam, Brunei became a powerful trading center from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, claiming suzerainty over the whole island of Borneo and parts of the southern and central Philippines.

By the mid-nineteenth century, Brunei was in serious decline, and its influence and control were restricted to northern Borneo, to what today are Sarawak, Brunei, Labuan and Sabah.

In 1888, when North Borneo became a British Protectorate, Brunei became a British Protected State.
Origin of Brunei 

Tun Perak of Malacca

Tun Perak of Malacca
Tun Perak is regarded as one of the three outstanding man in the Malay world, comparable to Aria Gajah Mada of Majapahit and Raja Senayan of Pasai.

Tun Perak, son of Bendahara Tun Parapati Sedang who assumed the name of Sriwa Raja. After the death of Sriwa Raja, Tun Perak did not enjoy any office instead he went to Kelang to be married and settled in Kelang entirely.

After sometime, the people of Kelang expelled their head man, and came to Malacca to ask for replacement, Sultan Muzaffar Syah asked them whom they wished, they replied, that the Sultan would particularly gratify them by appointing Tun Perak to the office.

When Sultan Muzaffar Shah refused to pay allegiance to the Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya, large Thai army marched overland under Awi Chakra. The Thais were met and routed at Ulu Muar, where great leadership was shown by Tun Perak.

Tun was appointed Bendahara and in 1456 he led brilliant victory over the Thais at Batu Pahat together with brilliant legendary warrior Hang Tuah.

He was an all rounder who even headed the building of Sultan Mansor Syah’s new palaces after the Hang Jebat rebellion.

As a wise man of principle, Tun Perak on a number of occasion made hard decisions that seemed to challenge even the wishes and wisdom of the sultan himself.

Because of Tun Perak’s disapproval, Sultan Mansor Syah had to send the heir apparent and his preference, Raja Muhammad, into exile in Pahang when the latter killed the bendahara’s son, Tun Besar, in a game of sepak raga.

Although ordered by Sultan Mansor Syah to recapture Pasai and despite being capable of fulfilling the command, Tun Perak stayed adamant not to execute the order.

He had Malacca in mind, as he later revealed to the sultan that he had ample evidence that the candidate favored by the sultan was a traitor who would not be loyal to Malacca.

Tun Perak died in 1498 and succeeded by his brother Tun Putih.
Tun Perak of Malacca