Malay oral traditions
Certain forms of oral traditions are no longer practised. These include puja pantai ceremonies conducted by Malay fisherman to appease the spirits and ensure a bountiful catch.
Until the 20th century, written Malay was mainly confined to a limited circle. The literature of the majority of the population, beyond the royal courts, was preserved in the oral tradition. The spread of formal education marked a decline in the role of this tradition. However, a rich variety of genres, both sung and spoken, had already emerged, some of which have been preserved to the present day.
- Information in the full article includes
- Endurance of oral tradition
- Malay folklore
- Verse forms
- Repertoire of stories