Performative Sufism And Soundscapes: A Historical Ethnomusicology Study Of Early Malay Literature

Abstract

Early Malay literature offers a glimpse of Malay religio-cultural history, including the spread of Islam to the region. Manuscripts in the form of court chronicles, manuals and poems are filled with references to the teachings of Islam, including the esoteric practices of tassawuf or Sufism. Malay court adat istiadat (customs and ceremonies) and religious celebrations were infused with supererogatory rituals such as zikir, maulid and hadrah, with occasional accompaniment of musical instruments. For centuries, music has always been an integral part of many tariqa-based Sufism and traces of this performative aspect tassawuf are well documented in early Malay writings. However research in this area remains at the periphery. This paper examines a number of early Malay literature and analyses the aurality of traditional Malay societies using methods of historical ethnomusicology and ethnography of traditional Malay music. It can be argued that performative Sufism was instrumental in developing a cohesive socio-religious identity and soundscapes of traditional Malay societies.