DOCUMENTATION & DIGITISATION OF WOODCARVING ARTEFACTS AS CULTURAL HERITAGE

Zawiyah BabaPrincipal Research FellowInstitute of the Malay World & Civilisation (ATMA)National University of Malaysia

IFLA-NIFT Conference 2011International Conference on Convergence of Libraries, Archives & Museums, New Delhi, 15-17 Feb. 2011

NIK RASHIDDIN NIK HUSSEIN1955 - 2002 Born and bred in Kelantan, Malaysia Master carver & philosopher Famed for his fine keris hilts Collector of woodcarving artefacts ‘Textbooks’ for his craft & artistry Set up Kandis Resource Centre Advocated craftsmen must understand &

appreciate their own history.

NIK RASHIDDIN’S COLLECTION Woodcarving artefacts – 354 units Keris - 300 units (est.) Drawings - 254 units Sketch books - 12 units Newspaper cuttings - 60 units Photographs & slides - 2000 units (est.) Books,Printed Materials - 856 vol. Manuscripts - 3 vol. Varieties of wood cuts & planks- hundreds (est.)

ATMA PROJECT

Objectives Encourage primary research on Malay wood

carving through:- Documentation & digitisation of artefacts,

drawings & sketches in the collection; Constructing a digital database from Nik

Rashiddin’s collection Provide easy access & reference to

information on Malay woodcarving

CATEGORIES OF ARTEFACTS

Agricultural implements – kertuk, tenggala Architectural implements - buah buton, sesiku Fisherman’s boxes – Wooden food boxes Fishing Implements – paddle, models of boats Weaving implements – weaving contraption Ceremonial objects – gong-stand, betel-leaf set Religious Objects - Rehal (Quran stand) Recreational objects – Bird cage, quail trap

CATEGORIES OF ARTEFACTS - (CONT.)

Carving tools – carving knives, hammer Kitchen tools – coconut scraper Wood panels – carved arches for doors Weapons – keris, spear, short knife Furniture – carved bed heads, cot Musical Instruments - Rebab

Documentation – data fields

Inventory no Type of artefact Creator / craftsman Year created Place of origin Ownership Measurements Features/characteristics

Documentation – data fields

Type of wood Pattern Motif Technique Other materials used Finishing Function History

Documentation - data fields

Condition Other special/unique features Original price/value Current price/Value

Database

• Digital database originally developed using Filemaker Pro V.9

• Stand-alone database• Migrated to central repository in malay

civilization portal using oracle-ucm software

• Now accessible at malaycivilization.ukm.my portal

ARTEFACTS AS SYMBOLS OF CULTURAL LIFE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

I) AGRICULTURAL

- Large percentage of population in the East Coast ofMalaysia involved with farming such as padi planting,cultivation of tobacco & other cash crops

- Animals such as buffaloes and cows are used in farming as evidences by the existence of tenggala or wooden reinsin Nik Rashiddin’s collection.

- The carved kertuk for buffaloes and tenggala for cows indicates that wood carving is very much a part of the life of peasants and ordinary people and not just the aristrocacy.

ARTEFACTS AS SYMBOLS OF CULTURAL LIFE

ii) FISHING

- Fishing is the main occupation in the East Coast, and is the chief means of livelihood. East Coast is littered with fishing villages.Main supplier of the country’s fish and seafood and seafood products

- Traditional Malay carving feature prominently in fishing boats. Nik Hassan (2010) identified 7 parts of the Malay boat which are usually carved

- Fishermen’s wooden food boxes for fishing trips are handmade and carved

ARTEFACTS AS SYMBOLS OF CULTURAL LIFEiii) Weaving

- Weaving is another important traditional occupation & cottage industry in the East Coast especially among women

- East coast well-known for rich hand-woven fabrics, worn as ceremonial dress

- Haziyah (2010) describes similar motifs in East Coast woodcarving and textiles

- Wooden weaving implement are also carved

ARTEFACTS AS SYMBOLS OF CULTURAL LIFE DOMESTIC ACTIVITY

i) Kitchen tools

- The carved coconut scrapers and wooden biscuit moulds are the most common functional kitchen tools in East Coast homes.

- Coconut milk is used in most Malay dishes and cakes while biscuits are favourite items served during festivals

ARTEFACTS AS SYMBOLS OF CULTURAL LIFE RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

- Religion play an important role in the daily life of the Malays. Artefacts such as the carved rehal (book rest) which are common household items used for quran reading, and mimbar (pulpit) are indicative of this.

- Malay woodcarving motifs refrain from visual reproduction of animals & humans reflecting Islamic values and principles. Floral, nature and geometric motifs are common.

ARTEFACTS AS SYMBOLS OF CULTURAL LIFE RECREATIONAL

- Some of the elaborately carved items in the artefacts collection are the carved bird cages and the quail traps, favourite past times of the Malays, particularly the wealthy and aristocracy.

- Quails and quails eggs are delicacies

- Singing birds such as ‘merbok’ are highly valued

ARTEFACTS AS SYMBOLS OF CULTURAL LIFE WEAPONS

- Malay traditional weapons were an essential part of men’s attire, especially the ‘keris’

- ‘Keris’ symbolises power and are used as ceremonial items as well as for defence

- Weapons such as keris, spears, short knives are very prominent in Nik Rashiddin’s collection

- Some of the finest keris hilts were carved by Nik Rashiddin in his later years as master carver

CONCLUSION Documentation & digitisation of woodcarving artefacts crucial for preservation of Malay cultural heritage Construction of digital database provide easy access to data & images of

artefacts collection Online access on Malay civilization portal will generate interest & facilitate research on Malay woodcarving

FURTHER RESEARCH

Explore works and personal collections of other master carvers Undertake documentation & digitisation of available artefacts collections Expand existing database on traditional Malay woodcarving

THANK YOUTERIMA KASIHSHUKRIYA

ZAWIYAH BABA

zawiyah@gmail.com