The Malay Nobat
A History of Power, Acculturation, and Sovereignty
Raja Iskandar Bin Raja Halid author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:27th Jun '22
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book examines the historical significance of the nobat, a court ensemble symbolizing power in Malaysia and Brunei, linking it to the broader Islamic heritage.
The Malay Nobat: A History of Power, Acculturation, and Sovereignty delves into the intricate history and significance of the nobat, a traditional court ensemble that has its roots in the Islamicate world since the Abbasid era. This book highlights the nobat's journey across the Muslim empire, illustrating how it evolved into a potent symbol of power and sovereignty. Through detailed research, Raja Iskandar Bin Raja Halid presents a compelling narrative that connects the historical threads of the nobat to contemporary practices in Malaysia and Brunei.
In examining the nobat's cultural significance, The Malay Nobat sheds light on early Malay literature and the accounts of Western travelers, offering a fresh perspective on the Islamic history of Southeast Asia. The author argues that the nobat played a crucial role as a symbol of Muslim authority, navigating through various encounters and adaptations along the way. This exploration reveals the nobat's resilience and its ability to maintain relevance in the face of changing political landscapes.
Furthermore, the book addresses the impact of colonial powers on the nobat and how it has been integrated into the narrative of nation-building in modern Malay states. Ultimately, The Malay Nobat illustrates how the existing nobat ensembles in Malaysia and Brunei serve as the last living legacy of the Muslim world, preserving a rich cultural heritage that continues to resonate today.
“This book takes the reader to a fascinating musical soundscape in the royal courts of Malaysia that is unimaginable to most music lovers today. Raja Iskandar Bin Raja Halid skillfully describes the history and significance of nobat and explains why and how it still has symbolic meaning today.” -- Margaret Kartomi, author of Performing the Arts of Indonesia: Malay Identity and Politics in the Music, Dance and Theatre of the Riau Islands
Raja Iskandar Bin Raja Halid’s detailed and erudite study of the nobat of the Malay world is also a study of a neglected, but vital, facet of Islamicate culture – the trumpets, pipes, and drums that have served as accoutrements of the ruler’s spiritual and temporal power since early times. The author approaches both the local and the colonial historical sources with a keen eye and sharp ear in this consistently engaging, well-researched volume. -- Martin Stokes, King's College, London
This book situates the interplay of power, acculturation, and sovereignty of the Malay nobat from well-known Malay historical literatures, royal histories, and chronicles in the Malay world with fecundity and prolificacy. Raja Iskandar Bin Raja Halid has succinctly probed the subject of the Malay nobat by evoking the ecstatic and aesthetic contents of the Malay royal regalia, connecting Islamic influences and ceremonial ensembles from the Middle East and South Asia with the nobat of Aceh and the Malay Sultanates in the Malay peninsula. This publication is a major contribution to studies in Malay-Islamic-Royal music in Southeast Asia. -- Mohd Anis Md Nor, Nusantara Performing Arts Research Center
ISBN: 9781666900880
Dimensions: 229mm x 159mm x 21mm
Weight: 517g
262 pages