An Old Style `Official Opening' at the University of...

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Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia Is/al/o 80lai 8(', <;or. KOla 8l1am. Ke/alllan. An Old Sty le ' Official Opening' at the Universit y of Malaya When a large new bu ildin g is completed in th e capital today. all 'OI)CII- ing Ceremony· is ottell held. at \\ hi eh speeches arc made in the pn:sence of a select audience. and a person cuts a silk ribbon or opens a door with a gi lded L.ey. A century ago. \\ hen a new palace or Audienet' 1-lall \\as completed in Kctan- tan.an ·Opening Ceremony' was also held, bu t it took a different form. When the spacious ne\\ stage in the Great lIall of the Uni\ersity of Malaya was ready for its tirst performance hy recentl y, th e Vice Chance ll or. ProfcfoSor UngL.u Alil. decided to revive the old tradllion. and sent an invitation to th e se nior ll omor-Di. Raja of Kelantan. Nil. Abdul Rahman bin Nil. Abdul Kadir. to come to Kuala Lumpur and to scck the t"Oopc rat io1\ of the spi rit s of Drama. Musie and the Arts and many others ho\ ering in thc firmament. Thc ritual and the Icngthy incantation followcd closel\' those which had becn repealed by ear-lier Bomor-Dj-Raja at the opening of Royal l\udi en,'c Halls for al least a hundred and fifty years, and probably for much longer. - 28-

Transcript of An Old Style `Official Opening' at the University of...

Page 1: An Old Style `Official Opening' at the University of Malayamyrepositori.pnm.gov.my/bitstream/123456789/3552/1/MIH_1970_Dis_05.pdf · Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 Persatuan Sejarah

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Is/al/o 80lai 8(',<;or. KOla 8l1am. Ke/alllan.

An Old Sty le ' Official Opening' at the

University of Malaya

When a large new bu ildin g is completed in the ~'lalaysian capi ta l today. all 'OI)CII­ing Ceremony· is ottell held. at \\ hieh speeches a rc made in the pn:sence of a select audience. and a distingui~hed person cu ts a silk ribbo n or opens a door with a gilded L.ey.

A centu ry ago. \\ hen a new palace or Audienet' 1-lall \\as completed in Kctan­tan.an ·Ope ning Ceremony' was a lso held, bu t it took a different for m.

When the spacious ne\\ stage in the Great lIall of the Uni\ersity of Malaya was ready for its tirst performance

hy

recently, the Vice Chance ll or. ProfcfoSor UngL.u Alil. decided to revive the old tradllion. and sent an invitation to the se nior llomor- Di . Raja of Kelantan. Nil. Abdul Rah man bin Nil. Abdul Kadir. to come to Kuala Lumpur and to scck the t"Oopc rat io1\ of the spi rit s of Drama. Musie and the Arts and many ot hers ho\ ering in thc firmament.

Thc ritual and the Icngt hy incantat ion followcd closel\' those which had becn repealed by ear-lier Bomor-Dj-Raja at the opening of Royal l\udien,'c Halls for al least a hundred and fifty years , and probably for much longer.

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Page 2: An Old Style `Official Opening' at the University of Malayamyrepositori.pnm.gov.my/bitstream/123456789/3552/1/MIH_1970_Dis_05.pdf · Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 Persatuan Sejarah

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Whcn Suhan to.'luhammad II of Kclan­tan (1837 - 1886) (who was also known, aftcr hi s dcath, as Marhom Mulut Mcrah or Marhum Tua) movcd his officia l residence from Pulau SabaT in the centre of the Kclantan ri ver to a flat but un­occupied stretch of land on the ri\'er bank in about 1840, the ~me ritual was observed, The new si te was originally known as 'Padung Kelumpang' prcsumably after a tree of that species which grew on the sile, and at first the Raja's new residence was known as ' Istana Kota Bharu', and a new town grew up round the palace which was known as 'Kota I1haru', The new palace was of a most unusual design, and had an exceptionally spacious Audience Hall, but at first it had a fl oor on two levels only, and the Raja received memhcrs of the public seated on a ycllow cushion all the upper level.

Sullan Ismail ( 1920- 1944) added one more le\'el and introduced a carved Ilnd gilded throne during his reign, Thc name of the pa];lce was changed some years eartier to ' Istana BaJai Besar - the palace with the great Iludience hall.

Whcn the Audience: Hall in the 'Istana Kota Bharu' was completed, the ceremony which was performcd was callcd 'Achoro Me'llyumbilt St>lIIangal Pal/cha Persatla', which may be translated to read 'a ceremony to welcome the spiri ts of the great stage',

The ceremony was repeated on many subsequent occasions, when other Au­dicnce Halls in Kclantan were ready for usc, such as the 'Ba1ai' in the fronl portion of ']stan .. Tcngku Seri Akar', the 'Balai' at ISlana Jahar and the 'Bala,' al the

A" assislal1l lights tht> calldfes while' Nik Abdul Rahman scallert'll ydlow rice grall/s,

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Page 3: An Old Style `Official Opening' at the University of Malayamyrepositori.pnm.gov.my/bitstream/123456789/3552/1/MIH_1970_Dis_05.pdf · Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 Persatuan Sejarah

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Istana Tengl.u Bcndahara. The last recorded (x:caslOn on \.I hieh it was per formed \.las when Oato Perdana Mentri. 0:11 0 lIaji Nil. lI,·lahmud. built a new 'Bal:li', which was called 'Balai Gambang' at lcmbar in about 1930. That ceremony was conducted by 'ra Ku Soh' (un abbre\'i,lIion of the name Tengl.u Yusof) who was one of the Bomor·Oi·Rajll and was descended from the ancient royal huuse of Jel11bllr. Nil Abdul Rahman ~tudied under TengL:u Yusof before he himself became one of tne Bomor-Di-Raja.

The ritual objects \\ hicn muSI be offered to the spirits on an occasion IILe this are variou) and numerous. NiL: Abdul Rahmlln arri\cd from Kutll Uharu by air. carrying a large cardboard box. tilled with ~Illall racL:lges. and when he drove 10 the Uni\'er)itY.I\\'o friends m.:companied

him. \.lith arms and hands full of brdSS pedestal trays and oo\.l·ls. Most of the objects were plllccd un a low maloCO\'cred platform. \.Ihich was to be: sited near the front of the new stage. but a china pia Ie. supported by :I three Slrand frame work of rattan was ready to be hung from the ceiling, a little to the rear of the platform. Thi) was called 'Unja Nasi Guru'. The plll ie rested on a coiled layer of raw callan and held a heap of yellow glutinous rice (nasi kill/)'it ), on \.Ihieh was embedded a hard boiled egg. wilh a small brown candle standing erecl on lOp.

The arrangement of objects on the low platform was as follows: there were two pllndan mat ). both woven in several colours. ont': l;trgc. covering the whole platform. Ihe other small. cO\'ering Ihe centre. A )cllow cushion was placed ncar

"-::,. ~ .. / ....•. ,.,. _._. -:...i"_ __ .". -..._

Nik A.bdul Ralllll(lII oolhl'.J lilt' Kri.J ill th(' .Jlllok(' of iflCt'fl.J(,.

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Page 4: An Old Style `Official Opening' at the University of Malayamyrepositori.pnm.gov.my/bitstream/123456789/3552/1/MIH_1970_Dis_05.pdf · Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 Persatuan Sejarah

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Nik Abellli Rahmall reciles pro.lf!rs 10 Allah for Ihe sllccess of Ihe Ilt'W slagt',

the ccnlre of Ihe small mat, U\\all1ng the arrival of the Bomor's KrI). "hieh "ould resl Ihere during the cercmon).

Numerous br.lss Ira)) :lI\d bo"b \\erc arranged round the oUlCr edge of the platform, le:l\'ing space in (he cenlrc for the Ilomor 10 mO\'c, but mal..ing it po))iblc for him 10 ta!.., any of the contell's wjthout rising. once he had taken his sca\.

Staning from Ihe left )ide, if we face the front of the stage, there Wll) a large bronle 'BII)'(llIg', a water jar \.\jth a broad base, a narrow ned: and a wide mouth: it contained a sclcclion of croton Ie:l\es of dlfTerc:nl shadc:s of grttn. )cl lo" and darL red, and certain other green lea\es, Nex i to It ~tood an ornamcntal bfa)~ !..cllie on a braS) tray. BOlh Ihese were at Ihe left )ide, There "ere four brass con lainers along the front of the platform: fir~t ;t

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decor:ui\e br:lss bowl wilh a low sland ( bei.as fell/baKu ) cOnlaining shr~ds of a spcl;ies uf jungle "ood called 'Bplum' and half a frc)h Lime, 'UII/all Pllf/lt', bolh of which ha ... c special cooling properties: Ih!!)' )tood in :t lill ie \\:lIer, Ne.1lI came a large brass pcdeslal Iray (called 'Pollor'), slanding left of centre. eOnlaining four saucers wilh )pccial olTerings (,Kf!lItlllri' j for Ihe spirit s, The firsl saucer held yellow cook~d rice and a liule portion of fried egg (,lIasi kllllillK elall IOllk letor'), the )ccond was full of p.1rched rice ('Mrlt!IJ'), the third held segments of rice cake ( 'DOllar") made from rice flour, and Ihe fourth was covered with coi led strands of fa" cotlon, some dyed red. some d)'ed )ellow lind )ome of nalural olT·whilc. A rolled leaf and sinands of lobacco and a bel!!l chew reSled on the callan thread. The conten ts of Ihis saucer was called • Denting Pnlgkt'ras Tigu',

Page 5: An Old Style `Official Opening' at the University of Malayamyrepositori.pnm.gov.my/bitstream/123456789/3552/1/MIH_1970_Dis_05.pdf · Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 Persatuan Sejarah

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

In the centre. at the front of the 10\\

platform, ~tood another brass pedestal tra),. on \\hich seven saucers \\cre ar· ranged, each cOnlaining miniature offer· ings. Tills tr.l)' and its contents was known :IS 'Pallar Gum/om Trlill/". and the offerings were intended ' for thc )CVCII

)Cnjor l'Clcstjal beings. - ( Dl'II'O Tlljoh). Eneh !hluccr wn tainccl )C\'cn liny oojCC1S, - a betel chew. ( Sireh pillllllg ) : a ~lI1all b;IIl:lna (pijflllg /t'lIIuk mal/is ) : II tiny calc made wllh pulut ril""C, egg and \\ heat flour ( GUill/Dill rujoll) : a leaf rolled round a ~ hn:d of tobaceo ( rol.oJ. "mill ) : a ~mall coin ( P""gk,'ra~ Dell"tl Tuj"h J: a short string of jamine bud~ ( buI/KU mefor ) and :1 brll\\1\ candle made from bees \\:IX.

t\ round spin bamboo \\ 111110\\ II1g Ira~ ( bm/(IIIK ".rim) swod on the third pede)I,,1 Imy, 10 the ngh t of ~·cnlre. Ih elmlents

\\ere <Iuitc diffcrcnI. There was half a mature coconut \\jth :1 white pulp growth inside ( 1I)'IOf lua yunK ada IIIl11boh ): :. section of palm sugar resting in a dry half coconut )hell.: ;. coconu t shcll water carrier. half full uf water. :LIld anothcr half coconut shell half full uf parched rice (ba"'h ). In :l second row, parallel wi lh the bm)) \\:l ler "ettk. bu t in the cenlrc of the plalform. a smlill bra!» im-cn)C burner emitted whisps of fragr.lnt smole. and un Ib nght, jU~1 to Ihe rear of Ihe \\inno\\ing Ira). a rectangular \\ooden l1etel hox )toHd \\lIh its lid closed. On the right. 10 the rear of the Betel box stood t\\O small brass bowl~. one comain­ing \\,I\cry \\hite IXlste ('Tepol1g TOlI"af' ) in \\ hich ;t snlall bunch of d:Lrl green Icavcs stood rcad y for use. and the uther bo\\1 containing dry }cllow rice grai ns (ht!ra.f hlll)'il).

(I gt'l/t'faf l"iI"" or /fll! ritrwf obj.'CH IIsed ill 111(' C('r('IIIOII ....

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Page 6: An Old Style `Official Opening' at the University of Malayamyrepositori.pnm.gov.my/bitstream/123456789/3552/1/MIH_1970_Dis_05.pdf · Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 Persatuan Sejarah

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Hak Cipta Terpelihara © 1970 – Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia

Nil.: Abdul RohmOIl Im'ol..t'S Ihe coopera/ioJ/ 0/ C'e/{·stial bei"gs.

A short brown candle:: made:: from bee!> \\ ax ( UIIII SOll/balll! ) slOod on e::ach of the t.lifferent lra)s ,lnd ritual objtth. ~Hh the exception of the Inccnse burner and the his. and Ihese \\ere lit just before Nik Abdul Rahman tntered. He wore the tmdiliollal drcss of a Kelanlan palacc Bomar: a low silk headcloth. a short sleeved yellow silk tunic. a knee length dark red silk sarong. worn over black silk trousers. and a tightly folded dark red silk waistc1oth. A broild band of raw cotton ~as ~ound round his right wrist. He carried an ivory headed kris in his right hand. but after bathing it In incense lomoke he laid it on the yello .... cushion. and on I) took it up again jusl before he \\ilhdre\\.

Before sitting cross legged behind the row of offerings. Nik Abdul Rahman

(Q/f phQIOJ by Ih~ SlroilS TItm'I)

called on some of the major spirits. loCaltuing parched rice to the four sides of the stage. He followed this with a lengthy prayer to Allah for his blessings on the new stage, the Vice Chancellor and all .... ho wou ld use the slage in fulure, His voice, which had been gentle and reverent then changed, and he recited an ancient incantation. invoking celestial be­ings. in a voice which rang th rough the hall. ~Ich tray was touched in tum, and every offering was formally conveyed in spirit fashion to the invisible guests.

The C.'lIldyan Dancers, who were wait­ing 10 appear on the new stage. immediate­ly after the ceremony ended. gave a faultless display, and provided a happy augury for the future.

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