Circulating Women as Objects of Trade in Malay Historical Texts

Abstract In this paper, we shall discuss 'circulating women' as objects of trade based on the corpus of three historical texts such as The Malay Annals (Sejarah Melayu) and Misa Melayu Perak. Barbara Andaya (2006:104) has cogently argued that "Southeast Asia is an attractive laborator...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Asian Journal of Social Science 2012, Vol.40 (1), p.34-50
Main Authors: Hashim, Ruzy Suliza, Tahir, Ungku Maimunah Mohd, Jalaluddin, Nor Hashimah, Mohamad, Zulkarnaen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alliances
circulating women
Consuls
Daughters
Emperors
Exchange Theory
Fathers
Females
Feminism
Malay historical texts
Malaysia
male prestige
Males
Marriage
Men
Object
political hierarchy
Political History
Princesses
Reciprocity
Slaves
Social exchange
Social Identity
Sons
Southeast Asia
Texts
Trade
Women
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Summary:Abstract In this paper, we shall discuss 'circulating women' as objects of trade based on the corpus of three historical texts such as The Malay Annals (Sejarah Melayu) and Misa Melayu Perak. Barbara Andaya (2006:104) has cogently argued that "Southeast Asia is an attractive laboratory to investigate women's economic roles" especially in the early modern period. By focusing on issues related to marriage and slave trade, we look specifically at the movements of women in the chronicles. Whether they were consorts, concubines and maids-in-waiting in the Malay courts, the traffic of women showed an intricate web of social exchange where symmetrical and asymmetrical reciprocity took place in various political situations of the day. By showing these exchanges, we unveil an aspect of women and trade in early modern Southeast Asia where women were involved in boosting male prestige and power, political hierarchy, social identity and legitimacy.
ISSN:1568-4849
1568-5314
2212-3857
1568-4849
DOI:10.1163/156853112X632575