April is a month of numerous festivals. First is the festival of Qing Ming on 5th April also known as Ch'ing Ming. Literally translated as 'Clear and Bright' this is the Chinese All Souls' day. Qing Ming is associated with the cleaning of family graves and regarded as a time to pay tribute to the dead. Traditionally this meant offering an elaborate array of food items including a roast pig and burning 'Bank of Hell' money at the graveside. Offerings are still made but they are more modest and many families now only pay respect to the ancestor tablets at family altars. Meanwhile the Thai Buddhist community will be celebrating Songkran at the Thai Temple, Wat Chetawan, on Jalan Gasing, PJ on 13th April at 1pm. Originally, this festival signalled the spring equinox and the start of the traditional New Year. Over time this festival has adopted elements of a Buddhist festival, although the festival predates Buddhism and was probably introduced from India. Buddha images are taken out of the temples for purification with a ritual bathing with scented water. Once this ritual is completed the fun begins with an exuberant and thorough washing away of the old year in readiness to receive the new, with a lively water festival. You have been warned! In Malacca the oldest church in Malaysia will be celebrating Easter. St. Peter's Church founded 293 years ago by the Portuguese and still maintained by descendants of the Portuguese community is known for its observance of this festival. The major event occurs on 18th April, Good Friday. Following the celebration of the Lord's Passion at 8pm, effigies of Christ and the Virgin Mary are taken in a candlelight procession around the church compound. Saturday is marked with an Easter vigil and on Sunday there are special baptism and confirmation services. There are plans to construct a multi-storey building within the church compound, which could mean that the festival next year will have to be adapted to the space available, so this might be the final time that this festival is celebrated in this manner. MCG activities begin with a secular event, when author Karim Raslan discusses with us his latest publication Journeys through Southeast Asia. Ceritalah 2. Karim will share with us his observations of travelling through the region and the comparisons he makes with Malaysia. He will reflect on future trends and the importance of culture and the arts as a "window as it were into the soul of a nation, illuminating particular preoccupations and concerns". A very special evening's entertainment, including dinner, has been arranged for the MCG for 5th April when we will have an Odissi dance performance by Sutra House dancers accompanied by musicians and vocalists from India. A rare occasion when MCG partners can share an event not to be missed. Two other events of the month focus on the Peranakan (New Straits Chinese) and Chinese culture. The former concentrates on the exhibition of kebayas at the National Art Gallery, when we will learn about the significance of these beautiful garments. Auspicious motifs will be revealed when we explore symbols used in Chinese furniture and home items, and learn about the complex culture they uncover. Other MCG activities include the Explorers' Group and the three Book Groups. Please also remember that the Library is an excellent source of information on many aspects of Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Do also check out the website: www.malaysianculturegroup.com for further information or call Cindy Peters-Zeier, Jean Wingfield and Renata Greplova to find out more. Finally, are you a member that would like to be involved in the running of the MCG? It is also an opportunity to use or develop a new skill while supporting the MCG. Committee members are looking for people who would like to assist them and possibly step in when they are away, these include: the Treasurer, Arlene Weatherdon; the Webmaster, Noma Nainar; and Newsletter Editor, Vicki Fennessy. Please call these ladies if you would like to know more. Enjoy the month! - Diana Cooper PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
1ST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH LECTURE SERIES: JOURNEYS THROUGH SOUTHEAST ASIA WITH KARIM RASLAN - 02 April Don't miss this outstanding opportunity to meet and listen to the urbane, witty and shamelessly opinionated author and lawyer Karim Raslan! He will be discussing his new book, Journeys Through Southeast Asia, Ceritalah 2, a collection of his newspaper columns and essays written mostly since 1999. In the book he develops three key themes as he attempts to analyse objectively what is happening currently in Southeast Asia. These themes are: 1. Islamic practices in Southeast Asia; 2. The emerging generation of Southeast Asian leaders; 3. The importance of art and culture as a means of deepening regional understanding. His incisive penetrating portraits in Dr Mahathir-Twenty Years On, Pak Lah-the Underestimated Man, and his appeal Moderate Muslims Must Speak Up!, are particularly relevant in Malaysia today. If your appetite needs further whetting, Karim's book was reviewed by Diana Cooper in the March MCG newsletter.
AN ODISSI ODYSSEY - 05 April
THE NYONYA KEBAYA COLLECTION - 10 April The Nyonya Kebaya: A Showcase, exhibits the private collection of Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood, wife of Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. Datin Endon has been collecting kebayas for a number of years, travelling to Penang, Malacca and Singapore to find examples to enhance her collection. The Nyonyas transformed the kebaya, which was originally an Indonesian Malay dress into a glamorous, eye-catching, translucent tailored blouse adorned with intricate embroidery. The kebaya is matched with just the right sarong to achieve the harmony of riotous colours. We are very fortunate to have not one but two guides to take us through this exhibition. Faizal Abdullah will talk about the individual pieces on display including the collection of kerosangs - the three-piece brooch that was used instead of buttons to fasten the kebaya. Zanita Anuar, curator at the National Art Gallery, will discuss with us the significance of this garment not just as an item of clothing but as a symbol of the Chinese Straits-born known as Peranakan. This installation gives us a glimpse into the way of life of this unique culture. But what was women's status in this society? And how did the Nonyas employ the powerful statement of dress? One of the major objectives of the exhibition is to "highlight and spur on the revival of the Nyonya kebaya". How feasible is this ambition? Come and join us in exploring these issues. It promises to be a fascinating morning, at the end of which we will be treated to coffee and delicious Nyonya kueh (cakes).
CHINESE AUSPICIOUS BELIEFS: RECOGNISING THE HIDDEN - 14 April Ms Felicia Hiew, Gallery Manager of Tomlinson will talk to us about the most popular auspicious motifs that are used by the Chinese. These symbols indicate the aspirations of Chinese society and their desire for a better and more promising life. Understanding the way motifs with their auspicious meanings are integrated into the design of everyday items is to appreciate a special aspect of Chinese culture. Using examples of domestic furniture, Felicia will show us how to recognise these symbols and explain to us the numerous layers of meaning which many of these motifs possess. We will also trace these motifs in textiles, ceramics and other mediums such as paintings and paper cuts. Did different Chinese communities use different motifs? How did these motifs change over time? Come and join us for an enlightening morning when we learn to 'crack' the code of auspicious symbols. REPORTS FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS EXPLORERS' TRIP TO PULAU KETAM With mounting excitement, we all met at McDonald's in KL Sentral to begin our trip to Crab Island. I cannot decide whether I felt like a school teacher or a sergeant major!!! For some, the highlight of the trip was purchasing their own rail ticket - you know who you are!!! We boarded the 0918 KTM Kommuter and headed off to Pelabuhan Klang which is SW of KL, arriving at 10:45am. The train was comfortable and air-conditioned, so I took the opportunity to brief the group on some aspects of life of the Chinese fishing community on Pulau Ketam. We were also able to have a natter and get to know one another a little better which is not always possible on other outings. Alighting from the train, we took a short walk to the old jetty to catch a very modern ferry to the island. It was reasonably comfortable with an overly efficient air-conditioning system. We were also entertained onboard by videos, in Chinese of course! Unfortunately, there isn't a deck and the windows were too murky for photographs, but on the return journey the doors were left open and we had an opportunity to view the fishing farms. We then plunged deep into a maze of pristine estuaries, their banks thick with mangroves. Twenty-five minutes later we reached Pulau Ketam after dropping off several passengers at smaller landings along the way. The entire town rests on stilts and to these are tied all manner of craft: fishing boats, lights and luggers. We were met on the jetty by a young man named Suon Keong, who was born on the island and plans on staying. He loves his home and is very proud of it. We visited the small hospital, the ice-making factory, the opera house, boatyard, fire station, Chai Assoc. House and the Hock Leng Keng Temple. Pulau Ketam is so sprawling and intriguing that you really need to stay overnight to get to know it. How about next time ladies? Unfortunately time passed so quickly, it was time for some to leave due to other commitments, but those who stayed back, enjoyed a fabulous meal of sweet and sour prawns, sizzling chili prawns, pomelo cooked in ginger and lemongrass, baby squid and unlimited pots of Chinese tea! The restaurant enjoyed a waterfront position where a lovely cooling breeze fanned around us whilst we ate in peace and tranquillity. All too soon it was time to leave and return to the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur. About 130 years ago, Pulau Ketam was a desolate island of mangrove swamps, but famous for its crabs. Three Hainan fishermen were the first to arrive on the island catching crabs for a living. The daily trek to and from the island became so arduous that they built small wooden huts to stay overnight, they then built Chuah Eng Bio Temple and decided to stay permanently. The population peaked at 20,000 during the 1980's, but now, due to young people moving back to the mainland, the population has dropped to around 6,000 - 7,000.
The Malaysia - UNDP Partnership - 05 February The UNDP has been in Malaysia since the country's independence, and its function here has changed as the country has developed. Its budget is based on a set formula taking into account the per capita income within a country. In Malaysia this is US $3500, thus the work undertaken here is very different to poorer countries such as Myanmar or Cambodia. The UNDP's current role is one of advocacy for change, assisting the country to develop and progress; to share, and benefit from, knowledge, skills, experiences and resources with other countries. The key areas where the UNDP are involved are -
Facilitated by the UNDP, Malaysia has become a powerful proponent of South-South co-operation, exchanging ideas and experiences with other countries. The UNDP aims to forge more effective links between Government and the private sector, thus promoting social responsibility for people who live and work in Malaysia. For further information about the UNDP and the work they do; http://www.undp.org.my
PEOPLES AND CULTURE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA - 11 February The Malaysian Culture Group had the privilege of attending a lecture given by Professor Dato' Shaharil Talib, Head of the Asia-Europe Institute at the University of Malaya. The lecture, followed by a delicious lunch, was attended by our members and a number of graduate students from Europe and elsewhere. Professor Talib's charismatic presentation postulated that the world is a blue planet because of the predominance of water. History, he insisted, is the result of geography, which means that waterways, currents, winds, and permanent assets decide the future. At least, this was so until the advent of steam, and Western technology changed what used to be an Asian whole. Based on common culture, kinship and the fluidity of boundaries made possible by navigation, this conglomerate of 23,000 islands flourished in peace until some 200 years ago. Till then the West had, with the exception of Spain in the Philippines, been content with trade, by land and sea, mainly for spices and silk. However, it was the blocking of the Malacca Straits, by pirates which led to Raffles entering into what Professor Talib calls the Asian 0cean. This started the European race for land with the Dutch in Indonesia, the French in Indochina, the British in Malaya, and the Americans "from the decks of their Pacific Fleet". Thus colonialism set in, carving what had been a fairly homogeneous, if partially liquid, continent into States. After the Second World War, decolonisation was followed by a globalisation based on economic competition which, according to the learned Professor, is the West's Trojan horse to preserve its dominance in the world.
Lifting the veil of secrecy: Wushu - Past, Present and Future - 28 February From the first flutter of the lion's eyelash, I knew this lion dance was special. The skilful Wing Choon Lion Dance Troupe, named after one of the greatest female wushu exponents in the history of China, had come to bless MCG member Leni Chan's home. A lucky start. Bowing three times at the front door to show respect to any deities being worshipped in the house, the lions noisily made their way through the house as part of the cleansing process, warding off bad luck and bringing in good luck. An auspicious offering of seven oranges, representing the seven stars that accompany the moon, and a pineapple -'wong' (yellow), 'lai' (fruit) - homonymous with 'prosperity' and 'come' were added to the ceremony. On top of the lion dance and wonderful lunch, we indeed received extra 'riches' as Leni's brother-in-law, Dato' Kee Yong Wee, MCG member and great lover of Chinese culture, graciously agreed to share with us his passion for wushu. It proved a challenging subject to define - and confine. What is Wushu? Dato' Kee pointed out that just as Chinese culture goes back thousands of years, so does wushu. It was developed and shaped through the constant struggle of man against nature, as well as against his enemies on ancient battlefields. Later, the skills, often honed in secret, were for the protection of one's family and self. It has rich content, a wide variety of styles and a strong relationship with traditional oriental culture. Though literally translated as Wu=martial and Shu=art, wushu presently incorporates popular recreational arts such as lion, dragon, unicorn and fish dances; acrobatics; drum beating; as well as qigong, taichi and kung fu. Creative Art Forms First developed during the Warring States Period, wushu moved from the military to the civil arena and organizations mushroomed. It also became entertainment in imperial courts. In classical Chinese literature, including classical poems, the cream of ancient Chinese culture, there are many narratives about wushu masters and their deeds. Traditional Chinese operas have used many wushu styles and routines in their performances and selected artistes are specially trained for fighting scenes. Classical Chinese music stresses inner thought and feeling through melody and the high-spirited and positive mindset of wushu has inspired Chinese composers and musicians, especially of the pipa (four-stringed lute). Wushu also permeates dancing, painting, and Taoist philosophy. Films and TV play an active role in entertaining people and disseminating wushu arts. Outside China, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and films such as The Matrix series, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the latest Hero have highlighted wushu. Competitive Sport - Wushu Taolu Wushu Taolu and Sanshou are the two major disciplines of wushu as a competitive sport. Wushu Taolu has been internationally standardized for both men and women encompassing ten forms: 1)Changquan (long-range boxing); 2)Nanquan (southern-style boxing); 3)Taijiquan(breathing with movement); 4)Dao Shu (broadsword routine); 5)Nandao (southern-style broadsword routine); 6)Qiang Shu (spear play); 7)Jian Shu (sword play); 8)Taiji Jian (taiji and sword); 9)Gunshu (cudgel/rod routine); 10)Nangun (southern-style cudgel/rod routine) The essence of competitive wushu is the combination of various attacking and defensive movements. The athlete must perform approximately 60 movements within one minute and 20 seconds. We were lucky to have Ho Ro Bin, gold medallist at both the Asian, and SEA Games, and Olympian of the Year 2002, demonstrate Nanquan. The girls, Loo Sim Fang from Kedah, and Thian Ai Ling from Sarawak who train full-time at Bukit Jalil stadium and are hopefuls for the Asian Games 2006, displayed impressive sword routines. Growing popularity Dato' Kee's own love affair with wushu started as a boy when he would surreptitiously read the action comics his parents considered a bad influence. Years later, when he took up tai chi with his wife, Ming-Yuet, he was hooked! Now he recognizes the benefit of training youth early as wushu develops character and confidence as well as being a good form of self-defence. It also promotes discipline, physical and mental prowess, a healthy lifestyle and harmony in our societies.Dato' Kee stressed that before one can begin to master the branches, it is essential to learn the basics. The practice of wushu strengthens the bones, muscles, the internal organs - and intelligence. The movement of the human body is only the external display of wushu. Coordination and cooperation are called for with each movement as wushu stresses that the mind directs the circulation of chi (energy) through the body, galvanizing the external strength, an important purpose of wushu exercises. Malaysian Story Dato' Kee has dedicated more than 30 years in promoting and developing wushu as an art and a sport. In the late 70's wushu had a 'shady' reputation and Dato' Kee was instrumental in uniting the many disparate groups, founding, in 1978, the Wushu Federation of Malaysia (WFM) of which he is currently president. Internationally recognised, the WFM with affiliates in 12 of the Malaysian states, is also affiliated with the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (of which he is honorary treasurer). Keenly contested in world championships and a medal-tally sport in both the SEA and the Asian Games, the consistent success of Malaysian competitors has led to a paradigm shift by the government. The last three years has seen financial support totalling RM500,000 annually. This covers local and overseas tours and tournaments and the promotion of wushu in schools has been encouraged with the WFM training coaches. The government even requested a team of eight boys and eight girls to undergo full-time training at Bukit Jalil stadium. The students attend school and on finishing Form 6, are guaranteed university places. Most amazing of all was the quick and painless granting of land to develop a wushu centre - with a 99-year lease! Thanks to tireless campaigning, The Lion and Dragon Dance Federation of Malaysia was finally registered by the government - and guess who is president? It was interesting to learn that the version of lion dance involving jumping from stilt to stilt about eight feet off the ground was actually created in Malaysia in the early 80's. Malaysia has been the stilt world champion for the last eight years. Wushu and the 2008 Beijing Olympics Wushu is being intensely lobbied for induction into the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will determine wushu's fate in July 2003. If officially accepted, it will be a cultural exchange between east and west, enriching the Olympics, enhancing the Olympic spirit, widening its reach to Asia Pacific so let's hope the bid will be successful. Wushu Federation of Malaysia's 25th Anniversary Celebration, 7.30pm, Sunday, May 4, 2003 in Cheras. If interested in joining an MCG table, please contact: Iolanda Capodanno: Tel. 2282 9199 / Fax. 2283 6931 / E-mail: czyk2@tm.net.my Dato' Kee's recommends: Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu classic Taoist compilation of three centuries of accumulated wisdom (6th-4th centuries BC) Film: Hero (2002) - Iolanda Capodanno
BITS AND PIECES THE PERANAKANSPeranakan culture is now recognised for its intricately delicate but exuberant decorative style. A free flow of adjectives to describe a unique culture that blossomed in a brief hundred year period. But how did this special culture develop and where did it come from?Penang, Malacca and Singapore, all former British Straits Settlements were between 1850 and 1950 the centres of the origin, development and decline of this unique community known as the Peranakans. Technically the Malay noun Peranakan indicates someone who is native by birth, i.e. 'local born' without reference to race. However, over time the term has become synonymous with the Straits Chinese. Many of the early migrants that came to the Malay Peninsula were considered by the Chinese court to be illegal emigrants and were given no protection or rights. As a consequence these migrants attempted to assimilate with the natives of the lands where they came to work, so adopting local or colonial cultures. In Thailand or Siam as it was then, they intermarried and became totally assimilated with the local population. Whereas in Manila, adoption of Spanish customs and conversion to Catholicism was the norm. In the British Straits Settlements and also in the Dutch East Indies, adoption took a uniquely different course. These Chinese retained their identity, while adopting local language and dress so separating themselves from other Chinese migrants. There were principally two other groups. The hua qiao who came to make their fortune and return home and consequently swore allegiance to China and the local Chinese who totally assimilated with the colonial authorities to whom they aligned themselves. The Straits-born Chinese or Peranakans became a social and economic elite very distinct from other Chinese groups and communities. The manifestation of this was the development of an elaborate culture that displayed its wealth and status in architecture, porcelain, jewellery and dress. Straits Chinese men were known as 'Babas', a term originating from India and the women were called 'Nyonyas'. These 'Nyonyas' wore the baju kurong, which is a long sleeved tunic worn with a sarong. Later this dress was modified and became the kebaya, a word of Portuguese origin which in turn came from an Arabic term. The kebaya is a voile fitted top that was elaborately embroidered and pinned together with gold or diamond kerosangs, a three-piece brooch. Nyonya jewellery was ornate and very delicate with filigree work and rose cut diamonds. Heavily beaded shoes completed the ensemble. These Straits-born Chinese were the only community of immigrant Chinese who spoke a Malay patois, a combination of Malay and Hokkien words. Some of the Peranakans did not consider themselves to be Chinese and they thought of the sinkehs, the newcomers and China Tok-Tok, China born Chinese as derogatory terms. Although the Peranakans still practiced the religion of their homeland, they adopted European influenced architecture, Malay language, customs and a delicious spicy Malay biased cuisine. The Peranakan community began to decline before the Second World War, but post-War the decline became more pronounced. However, today we can enjoy the legacy they have left behind, including the elegant Nyonya kebaya collection being displayed in an outstanding exhibition at the National Art Gallery that MCG will be visiting on April 10.
SIN SZE SI YA TEMPLE (North end of Petaling Street) The identity of the second effigy here is less certain. One version says Yap Ah Loy added the effigy of Chong Piang (his chief general during the Civil War and also known as Chong Sze) alongside Kapitan Shin's, as well as tablets of soldiers who perished in the war, so that people could pay respect to them. The present site of the temple was chosen after a Chinese medium was consulted and is reportedly a place of good feng shui. The temple is unique in that the two main deities worshipped do not originate from China, but instead are two local persons elevated to the status of deity based on their merit. Yap himself is still thought of by many as KL's founder. He was described as of medium height but exceptionally strong, with a scar between his eyebrows like the Chinese character 'man' - the result of a childhood incident. He was the most prominent Kapitan Cina and under his administration, Kuala Lumpur grew from a collection of attap houses to become a major town. Yap was known for his indefatigable energy, his generous hospitality and his adventurous spirit and seemed genuinely liked by people who knew him. Frank Swettenham, the Resident of Selangor, on a visit to Kuala Lumpur said, "Ah Loi, is still the leading spirit in Selangor, his energy and enterprise are extraordinary. He has provided the sick with an Asylum, administered justice to the satisfaction of his countrymen, opened a brickfield where he is doing excellent work and planted a tapioca estate larger than any other in the Colony." Yap was also a leader of the local Hai San gang, This part of his history has remained controversial in that he was a member of a secret society, however at his (Yap's) death, the then acting Resident, Rodger, reported that: "by his death the Government has lost one of its most able and faithful officers; personally I have lost a friend." Yap died of bronchitis and an abscess of the left lung after rejecting the use of Western medicine. He was 48 years old and died still longing to return to China. On a visit to Sin Sze Si Ya temple (also well known as Yap Ah Loy's temple) Yap's photograph can be found at the bottom left hand side. If you haven't visited there, you have missed standing in the old heart of KL where Yap himself might have once stood.
Cambodian Stories A recent trip to Cambodia was one of those events when history and present time collided in my brain to create memories that will never leave. The wonderful Angkor complex at Siem Reap took us to the cultural heart and soul of the ancient Khmer Empire and impressed, amazed and stunned us - in all the ways that the guidebooks had promised. We left there stupefied with the images we had taken in of this mystical grandeur and considered ourselves blessed that we had been able to witness these architectural wonders which had been made by man in ancient times. But what really took us by surprise was the impact that Phnom Penh also had on our senses. To be accurate it was not the city itself but the Tuol Seng genocide museum and the Killing Fields, just outside of the city, which has left the greatest impression. Previously constructed and used as a school, the Tuol Seng buildings were turned into a place of terror, torture and execution during the 1970s. This was when the Khmer Rouge regime spread its malignant tendrils throughout the country and in the process eliminated over two million of its own people in just three years. The horror of that period was graphically brought home to us by our visits to these particular places, and through the information that was imparted by our tour guide. This woman lost all her family during this time of horror and at 14 years of age found herself barely surviving the terrors of her existence. The matter of fact manner in which she spoke of the events of these years, prompted me to buy a couple of books while I was in the country. They can both be bought here in KL and each of them is worthy of your taking the time to read. Stay Alive My Son by Pin Yathay is told from the perspective of a highly educated professional who originally believes in all that the Khmer Rouge stands for. When he discovers that the young Khmer Rouge soldiers are moving into Phnom Penh, he is initially exhilarated to think that the civil war that has raged through the land is nearly over. His father is much less enthusiastic but his son who thinks he knows better, dismisses the older man's fears. How wrong he will prove to be and how bitterly he will regret not listening to the fears of a man with more insight than himself. First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung is in contrast as it gives the story from the angle of a spoilt little girl. On 17 April 1975 when her father urges the family to leave their comfortable home in the city and travel to relatives in the countryside, this precocious well loved young daughter sees only the problems relating to her own comfort. Her world of ease and delight is devastatingly brought to an end as her father (a high ranking government official who was born in rural Cambodia) tries with heartbreaking desperation to keep his family safe from the feared horrors. The transition of Leung, from petulance to strength is slow but credible. She tells her 'warts and all' story with unnerving truth and has produced a powerful tale with great impact. Both books touch on the events prior to the Khmer Rouge takeover and give a 'potted history' of the country from two different angles. Combining the two books, with all their information about what went on in Cambodia and Vietnam before 1975, is the best education on the confused political events of that time that I have yet read. - Jan Thornton
Film Review: Wushu, Taosim and 'Hero': The heart is mightier than the sword! Other interesting, though bloody and violent, interpretations of the same story are Zhou Xiaowen's The Emperor's Shadow (1996) and Chen Kaige's The Emperor and The Assassin (1998). Hero (2002) is surprisingly blood-free but no less shocking. The Warring States period was a period of prolonged wars and social turmoil as seven rival kingdoms - Qin/Ch′in, Zhao, Yan, Han, Wei, Qu and Qi - battled one another for political supremacy. In such troubled times there emerged a class of xia, men of valour, skilled in personal combat and who, in traditional Chinese fiction, fought for justice. Dr Lee Kam Hing, former professor of history at Universiti Malaya, and currently The Star's research editor points out that historians writing of this period extolled the virtues and the code of honour of this group of warriors, distinguishing the xia from outlaws who used force for personal gain. "Many of the xia were often hired swordsmen, likened to wandering knights seeking adventure. In using their martial ability to help those oppressed, and avenge those who were wronged, they were guided by a personal sense of justice, honour and loyalty." Using the wuxia (martial arts/chivalry) genre, this is Zhang Yimou (my favourite Chinese director)'s first action film. He turns to events of this period and the role of the xia, or warriors, to identify the qualities that make a hero. Our hero, a xia swordsman called 'The Nameless One' (reflecting a Taoist principle that the Tao that can be expressed or defined is not the eternal Tao), sets out on a mission to kill Qin's ambitious and ruthless king. Three other infamous assassins provide much of the inspiration for the film's storyline. It would seem to be a fairly straightforward wuxia film of good seeking to conquer evil but 'Nameless' is soon confronted by what the film suggests as higher ethical/moral imperatives. The Qin king, tyrannical as he is, stands for the promise of a new political order and 'Nameless' begins to accept the coming of a new unified empire that could end the years of warfare and suffering. The xia's code of conduct now has to contend with the vision of the greater good and welfare of the people - a premise that is particularly ironic at the moment and just goes to show that some scenarios never change! Zhang breaks away from the traditional plot to show that revenge is not the primary goal in a warrior's motivation. He explains, "The characters are driven by the desire to end violence and bloodshed. For a real martial arts hero, the heart is far more important than the sword." History tells us that the Qin king went on to subdue all six of the rival states unifying the country in 221BC and declaring himself united China's 'First Emperor' - Shih Huang-ti (259-209 BC). He certainly made a lasting impact and the film presents the unification of China, the building of the Great Wall, and the ensuring of cultural cohesion as goals and values worth fighting for. However, diversity of ideas was considered subversive and dangerous. In one memorable scene, there is an attack on a calligraphy school by the archers of the Qin army. When told that in calligraphy, there were 20 styles for the character 'sword', he decided that this was too confusing and declared that these would be reduced to only one when he became emperor. This he did when he standardized the written script that remains in use till today. Interestingly, the Qin dynasty was overthrown only five years after his death. During the Han period that followed, the Confucianists that subsequently wrote most of the official history never forgave him for killing scholars and burning books. The 'greater good' seems to override everything else and herein lies the dilemma. Was he a hero or a villain? A builder or a destroyer? A power-mad autocrat or a visionary? The propaganda-like ending left me feeling uneasy, with a sense of foreboding of what may come in my own lifetime: History repeating itself with the end justifying the means. Technical filmmaking skills dominate in Hero, although at the cost of character and emotional development. Tony Ching Siu Tung's elegant, ballet-like fight choreography and the poetic cinematography of Australian genius Christopher Doyle are breathtaking. The intriguing process of unravelling the truth, with four versions of the same story, is vividly revealed through red, blue, green and white colour palettes (black is used in the context of the present). What we see is often coloured by our perceptions so which version is the true one? How will our own past and present be perceived and recorded in the future? BOOK CLUB REPORTS Sorrow Mountain : The Journey of a Tibetan Warrior Nun by Ani Pachen, Adelaide Donnelly The book starts with a young Tibetan girl, daughter of a chieftain, before the Chinese occupation of Tibet. It follows her life, how she became a resistance leader, how she was captured and endured 21 years of horrific imprisonment, and finally achieved her goal of becoming a nun. It tells Ani's story, but also the story of the Tibetan people and their lives under the Chinese. Throughout the book Ani's faith, Buddhism, sustains her. The group were very fortunate to have a guest at this meeting, Roland, who has been to Tibet, and also met the Dalai Lama. Roland's knowledge of how the Tibetans live, the harshness of their life in such a huge country with so few resources and his reiteration of how important their religion, and the Dalai Lama is to them, added more background knowledge. Well worth reading.
A Fortune Teller Told Me by Tiziano Terzani While in Hong Kong in 1976, the author was told by a fortune teller that he 'ran a grave risk of dying' if he travelled by aeroplane in 1993. Initially undisturbed (after all, 17 years seemed far away at that time), he eventually began to think more about the prophecy as 1993 loomed closer, and decided to tackle the situation in an Asian manner-not to fight but to submit! Italian born, but heavily influenced by decades of living in Asia, he was not prepared to tempt fate, and decided to spend 1993 travelling in the Far East by every mode of transport available, apart from aeroplanes. Along the way he met up with an assortment of differing characters; some good and some very bad but all of them fascinating when sketched by Terzani's skilful writing. As an added piquancy he determined that in each country he would find a fortune teller and have his fortune retold. The result is this unusual book, which is not quite a travel journal or a social and political commentary but something of all of these, resulting in a journal steeped in eastern wonder. Born in Florence, this experienced journalist has written a number of books including Goodnight Mr Lenin which is frequently referred to in this particular book, and Letters Against The War. The last book was published in September 2002 and is not available in Malaysia, however we are told that if you have the patience, the whole book can be downloaded free from the Internet! No one disliked the book and everyone was impressed by Terzani's cleverly entertaining writing, and the different angle of combining fortune telling (such an integral part of Asia) with his personal travel story. Most felt Terzani was a charmer (after all he is Italian) who felt very comfortable in the seemingly most uncomfortable situations and would have been fascinating to spend time with. As with all humans, no one is perfect and it was felt that at times his writing showed a cynic who tried to impose his own views on the reader, and these views were sometimes felt to be unrealistically romantic in regard to the 'average' rural Asian. His ideas are strong and often transfer a very 'black and white' attitude regarding development and modernisation, offering much criticism but no alternative. Despite his bias against progress, Terzani has given a different perspective on Asia. Most of us would have loved the opportunity to indulge ourselves with a whole year travelling and looking for interesting situations and people, but few could have put it all into such impressive writing. Many thanks to Roz for hosting and for introducing us to a part of KL most of us hadn't 'discovered' before - was it just a coincidence that the address had 'mystic' connections? Also thanks to Jeanne Hunter, founder co-leader of Chapter II, for guiding us through our first year. We wish her well as she prepares for pastures new. - Jill Thistlethwaite The January meeting of Chapter III was held at Beverley Horder's home. Many thanks to Beverley for the wonderful savoury treats and dessert! For January, our group selected Time for a Tiger, the first story of The Malayan Trilogy, by Anthony Burgess. From 1954 to 1960, Anthony Burgess was an education officer in Malaya. One day he collapsed in the classroom and returned to England where he was diagnosed with a cerebral tumour and given 12 months to live. He set about writing novels to provide for his wife. The diagnosis was incorrect and he lived another 33 years, although his wife only lived another eight years. Among Anthony Burgess' works are numerous novels, a Broadway musical, film scripts, several critical studies and three symphonies. Many critics consider The Earthly Powers his finest novel but his best-known work is A Clockwork Orange. The Malayan Trilogy stories were written during his time as an education officer in Malaya. The stories juxtapose the progressive disintegration of a hapless civil servant, Victor Crabbe, against the birth of Malayan independence during 1955 to 1957. In the first story, we meet Victor and his second wife Fennella. The two other main characters in this story are Nabby Adams, an alcoholic, burnt-out police lieutenant, and Alladad Khan, a Punjab police corporal, who adores the beautiful, blonde Fennella from afar. Victor's first wife had died as a result of a car accident in which he was the driver. Victor no longer wishes to drive or own a car. However, after succumbing to pressure from Fennella, Victor purchases a used car through Nabby Adams, and the four lives become linked as they 'share' the car. There are many other supporting characters in the book representing the diverse races and religions of Malaysia. Our group had mixed opinions on the characters. Some felt the characters were not believable, especially the weepy, unhappy Fennella. For others, many of the characters seemed very believable, and some felt they knew people just like those in the book. We agreed that some characters, such as the effeminate houseboy, were stereotypes we had seen in other stories. Even though the story takes place in Malaya almost 50 years ago, we felt that there were similarities with the current political and social situations. The Communist threat existing then can be substituted with the terrorist threats existing today; the racial tensions in the book between the Chinese, Indians and Malays still exist at many levels; and you can still find expats like those described in the book. All in all, we generally thought Time for a Tiger was quite humorous. There are many sections in the book that are very colourfully written, and we had an enjoyable time selecting our favourite passages to read aloud and discuss. Some of the group had read the remaining two stories and recommended that the others should read these also. As Victor Crabbe moves through Malaya in his teaching post, the stories take quite a dramatic turn. We will be discussing the final two stories in June.
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE BOOK CLUB? As a member of the MCG Book Club, you will read each month a book chosen for its Southeast Asian content and meet once a month for its discussion. You will be asked to host and/or lead this monthly meeting usually once per year. Leaders provide background information and questions to stimulate the discussion. There are 10 meetings per year, usually with December and July omitted, attendance at meetings averages at 15 members. Discussions are quite spirited with many new insights gained because of our multi-ethnic backgrounds. If you are interested in joining us, please send an email to thewingfields@pd.jaring.my and the date of its receipt will determine your placement on the waitlist. LIBRARY REPORT
Our library is again richer by a great book we bought this month. I think we all enjoyed the lecture in the Asia-Europe Institute. The speaker, Prof.. Shaharil Talib is one of the writers of The Royal Families of South-East Asia. The unique publication is a guide to the Royal Families of South-East Asia, both reigning and formerly reigning royalty; covering Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei. Each chapter contains a comprehensive photographic and genealogical guide of the families covered as well as brief historical sketches of each family. Prof. Talib recommended another book to read on this subject. The book is already part of our library collection: The Malay Archipelago is written by A.R. Wallace (1823-1913). As a young man, he explored the Malay Archipelago for eight years, covering 14,000 miles by foot and native canoe, the first European to set foot in many areas. During his stay in the Archipelago, he amassed a collection of 125,000 specimens of insects and animals, many previously unknown. This book is still one of the great classics of natural history and travel. It contains Wallace's observations of different native peoples inhabiting the islands.
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