SUNDANG: ARTS AND POWER EXHIBITION AT PERAK MUSEUM SHOWCASES TRADITIONAL MALAY WEAPONRY

TAIPING, July 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Museums Department, through the Perak Museum here, is organising a six-month Sundang: Arts and Power Exhibition from June 24 to Dec 31.

National Unity Ministry deputy secretary-general Mohamad Sobri Mat Daud said the exhibition, with the cooperation of Al-Amin Foundation, showcases Sundang weaponry that exists in Peninsular Malaysia and Sulewei and aims to highlight its rich historical culture and heritage in the country.

Sundang is a weapon closely linked to the Malay identity in the region and was a warrior’s weapon used against enemies and during times of war, and was commonly available, being used in royal settings as part of the royal regalia, warriors’ arms as well as a weapon of common folk, he added.

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“The very first Sundang Exhibition in the country will encourage the public, as well as traditional weapon enthusiasts, to visit Perak Museum and I believe many, especially the youth, do not know about  Sundang being a Malay traditional weapon.

"The uniqueness of Sundang is not only in its features but also the blades composition, which is produced by using various types of steel,” he said during the exhibition’s launch here today.

Mohamad Sobri said the National Unity Ministry always supported the Museums Department to conduct programmes and activities that unite Malaysians through the appreciation of history, arts and culture, adding that the department contributed to social development in this manner.

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Meanwhile, Museums Department director-general Datuk Kamarul Baharin A Kassim said in his speech that nearly 10,000 people have visited the Sundang exhibition up until June 28.

Also, local Sundang collector  Muhamad Abdullah who has the most Sundang in the country with 211 blades, received a certificate of acknowledgement by Malaysia Book of Records representative Mohamad Nazrul Hafizi Ahmad Fauzi during the launch.

Muhammad shared with reporters after the presentation ceremony that his collection included five Sundang purportedly owned by famous Malay warriors, including Tok Gajah and Mat Kilau.

“I have also travelled to Indonesia, including to SUmatera, Sulawesi, Kalimantan and Pontianak to look for Sundang to add to my collection,” he said, adding that he started seriously collecting about four years ago.

He shared that the Sundang on exhibit were estimated to be from the 15th century, with 193 Sundang from his collection being displayed at the Perak Museum’s main gallery, and 18 more to be rotated till Dec 31.

-- BERNAMA