The art of the Malay letter
The earliest known Malay Peninsula letter, dated 1719, is from the Sultan of Johor to Louis XV of France.
From the earliest 16th-century examples to those of the late 19th century, Malay letters encapsulate the finest features of Malay language and culture. Serving a primarily diplomatic function, they were subject to elaborate rules of form, composition and appearance, dependent upon the relative rank of the correspondents. These important historical documents provide a glimpse into the complex structure of Malay society.
- Information in the full article includes
- A record of diplomacy
- Form and elements of the Malay letter