Journal of Visual Art and Design
Vol. 11 No. 2 (2019): Journal of Visual Art and Design

The Significance of 'Nila' In Malay Foundation Myths: A Study of Sri Nila Pahlawan

Fytullah Hamzah (Institute of Creative Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan. Sarawak, Borneo)
Ahmad Azaini bin Abdul Manaf (Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan. Sarawak, Borneo)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Dec 2019

Abstract

This article examines the true significance of nila (blue) in the Malay literature from an ocular point of view. The origins of Malay foundation myths as written in the Malay Annals by Tun Sri Lanang, which contain a detailed description of the ancestry of Raja Iskandar Zulkarnain, Sang Sapurba, his miraculous appearance at Bukit Seguntang and introduces the renowned covenant with Demang Lebar Daun, the ruler of Palembang. This study outlines the appearance of nila in ancient texts (Sri Nila Pahlawan, Sang Nila Utama, Tuan Putri Nila Panjadi). A visual and textual approach was employed to investigate the importance of nila in ancient Malay myths and the determination of its usage in the narratives. Each description was examined and drawn in detail from the aspects of depictions, compared to other texts on the same point and degrees in the Malay world. The aim of this inquiry was to separate the history part from the mythical part and to determine the meaning of the nila designation that occurs in multiple accounts throughout the literature. As a conclusion, according to the usage of nilain the Malay Annals it can be seen as a name to represent the divine or supreme status of the ruling royal family.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jvad

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities

Description

Journal of Visual Art and Design focuses on theoretical and empirical research articles in the Visual Art and Design disciplines in the region of Asia and Pacific. The scope includes the following subject areas: Design and Art History, Visual Culture, Art and Design Methodology, Art and Design ...