Archaeologist defends Hang Tuah's existence
KUALA LUMPUR Jan 20 — An archaeologist today defended the existence of Hang Tuah, pointing out that although no specific studies had been done on the matter, he was convinced that the legendary warrior was not a mythical figure.
Malaysian Archaeologists Association president Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman said studies concerning the warrior and his four peers could still proceed despite the views that Hang Tuah might be a mythical figure.
"I believe that he existed but we can”t be sure of the era; if we look at the Hang Tuah tales, he existed during the era of a sultanate. The name ”Hang” does indeed exist in the Malay world.
"However, further studies on his four peers (Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu) maybe needed. The name ”Hang” exists in Padang Lawas Sumatra, Indonesia.” He said that although there had been no specific studies carried out on the matter, indirect ones indicated that the warrior did indeed exist.
"And then there is also the Hang Tuan tomb. We can”t deny that it is not.
Although there is no specific name written on it, it is from the 15th century,” he told reporters at a convention on the Malay cultural roots here today.
Historian Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim had previously said that Hang Tuah might be mythical and that there were no strong evidence to proof the warrior”s existence.
Dr Nik Hassan said DNA tests on the remains in the tomb might prove to be difficult due to religious sensitivities.
"This is a Muslim tomb. We don”t want to disturb this tomb because there may be sensitivities involved in terms of religion. We can perform tests on pre-historic findings,” he said.
— BERNAMA
The above statement was issued in contrast due to a related statement given by Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim in The Star dated 16th January 2012 [Click here], 17th January 2012 [Click here], 18th January 2012 [Click here] and 19th January 2012 [Click here].
I am unsure of whom to believe in the above rebutting statements but if you go and visit Malacca and search for historical [click here] places there, you will find it possible to find Hang Li Po well, the grave of Hang Tuah, the grave of Hang Jebat, the grave of Hang Kasturi and the grave of Tun Teja amongst other many historical places as well.
Therefore, how can one say that those figures are mythical figures and are not real? Futhermore, Hang Tuah is even mentioned in Sejarah Melayu although it was deemed 'Hikayat Hang Tuah' or the story of Hang Tuah.
So to conclude, I think I believe what I can see because I can see the well and the graves of the so-called mythical figure rather than what is being propogated by the good Prof because everybody will be opposing to something all the time even though there are proof of the existence of the said myths.
What is the opinion of my beloved readers? I am sure you have a thing or two to say about this matter...
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this is just another stupid statement by a so called professor to undermine the malays.hang tuah does not only exist in the malay peninsula,but throughout the nusantara."tidak melayu hilang di dunia."
ReplyDeleteAl kisah Hang Tuah dikuburkan ditanah yang meninggi sedikit. Maka apabila terjumpa kubur lama yg seiring dengan teks sejarah maka diistiharkan kubur tersebut sebagai makam Hang Tuah. Tiada hard evidence untuk menunjukkan kewujudan Hang Tuah. Selain dari buku Sejarah Melayu dan Hikayat Hang Tuah tiada manuscript sejarah yg tersimpan didalam mahupun diluar negara menceritakan tentang pahlawan melayu ini. Samada Hang Tuah benar atau mythical the bottom line ialah dianya lambang semangat keperwiraan serta ketaatan rakyat melayu kepada kerajaan dan raja. Semangat mulia setiakawan dan kasih seorang sahabat bernama Hang Jebat dirempuh oleh taatnya Hang Tuah terhadap raja yang memerintah. Jebat lebih pada hak asasi sedangkan Tuah berpegang pada perundangan. Masing2 berkorban,kedua2nya mulia.
ReplyDeleteokey I tak kisah sangat.
ReplyDeleteI don't really like Kisah Hang Tuah
to me Melayu perlu fikir perkara lebih penting dari bergaduh over isu isu kecil ni. Janji Allah SWT dan Nabi Muhammad SAW itu memang ADA adalah lebih penting.
SLM BRO..OF COZ HANG TUAH DOES EXIST. THAT PROF HAVE NO RIGHT TO MAKE SUCH A COMMENT. IT'S NOT A FOLKLORE JOKES MAN!. U CANNOT DENY THE EXISTING OF THIS 5 BROTHERS COZ THE SPIRIT LIVE IN EVERY MALAYS. THEY ARE A LEGEND NOW AND FOREVER. EVEN KIDS HAVE THAT HANG TUAH SPIRIT WITHIN EXCEPT THOSE WHO WORSHIP CHIN PENG AND GAYS OF COZ!...HARKK PTUIHH >:[
ReplyDeleteI think the Prof i.e. Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim has already forgotten what he had advised before (many years ago) that the Chinese in Malaysia should not waken the sleeping giant or tiger (referring to the Malays in Malaysia). He made the statement in conjunction of something to do with the 13th May 1969 event. I couldn't remember the function or when it was held. But I do remember the words he had said.
ReplyDeleteTo the Prof... please don't even try to waken the sleeping tiger or you yourself will face the consequences.... That's what are you referring to when you make the advise some years ago....
Menurut Andaya (2002), Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat dan Hang Kasturi adalah pemimpin ulung kaum Orang Asli. Kekuasaan Orang Asli dalam pemerintahan Melaka serta kerajaan-kerajaan melayu yang lain mengalami kemerosotan dengan kematian ketiga-tiga tokoh ini. Pendapat ini dipetik dari Pagan Races of the Malay Peninsula, Macmillan, London 1906 karangan Skeat, W.William and C.O. Blagden.
ReplyDeleteAndaya juga memetik pendapat Juli Edo, seorang ahli antropologi dari etnik Semai yang mengatakan bahawa Hang Tuah dan Hang Jebat adalah Orang Asli. Hang Tuah ialah Orang Jakun (Windstedt, 1935). Hang Tuah dan keluarganya berpindah ke Hulu Perak selepas kematian Hang Jebat.
I do not think Prof Khoo Kay Khim maliciously made the statement. Upon reading carefully his explanation, I am of the opinion that he was talking from his discipline as an historian while Prof Nik Hassan was arguing from the archaeological aspect.
ReplyDeleteHikayat Hang Tuah written by Tun Sri Lanang until now hasn't been construed as historical document and hence, regarded as legendary figures. Even Prof Nik Hassan have said that the existence of the Hang Tuah tomb needs to be examined before we can determined its authenticity and mere existence of such sites/artifacts do not automatically warrant conclusive finding as yet.
Yes, the ugly head of racism is always there and the issue is everywhere, literally. But knowing Prof Khoo Kay Khim, he is not one of the racist punk but a fair and factual intellectual.
Hang Tuah exist, no question about this!
ReplyDelete....except for fools and madmen to say Hang Tuah does not exist...think about this during Hang Tuah's time,tens of thousand of village folks lived with him...how can history lie? fr Charlie Cheng
ReplyDeletehang tuah wujud n dah bsumpah xkan mncul lagi,sumber yg sy dpt dia xkan msuk(cth:smangat jebat)spa2...kalo ada mmg bohong blaka..nk percaya atau tidak,wallahualam...
ReplyDelete