WHAT I SAW IN MALAYA: Lectures 1934-1938

by Jeanne Cuisinier

French ethnologist Jeanne Cuisinier explored Malaya, mostly Kelantan, in 1932 and 1933. In her lectures on Radio Paris — made public in this book for the first time since their broadcast in the 1930s — and in other texts assembled here, she shared her vivid and affectionate insights into the diverse cultures of Malaya, providing precious and thought-provoking perspectives to today’s readers.

Genres: Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2019

Reviews

[Sharina MS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a glimpse to the Malay world in 1930s...a perfect reading over coffee and kueh mueh :)

[Khairul Hezry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes you need to see your own culture from an outsider's eyes to appreciate what you take for granted. Though it should be titled What I Saw In Kelantan which was where she spent most of her time while in '30s Malaya. She would have a more rounded experience if she had travelled in other parts of the Peninsula.

[Abdullah Hussaini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebuah buku pemerhatin masyarakat yang bagus. Kalaulah tebal lagi.

[Anas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few observations from Jeanne that i found amusing-
-saya minta diri dulu, an expression one did not belong to oneself, having put oneself at the disposal of the friend the one was visiting
-public gift in which monetary donation during wedding ceremony, groom’s mother is always the first person to give to the bride, and nobody afterwards would dare to give a larger sun for fear of offending her

[Regina Ibrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT I SAW IN MALAYA
Lampiran ceramah sang Etnologis Jeanne Cuisinier sekitar tahun 1935 - 1938 terbitan Matahari Book mahu dianggap sebagai bacaan terbaik awal tahun 2020. Terima kasih atas usaha terjemahan naskah penting ini.
Bermula dengan catatan penting yang berselit hal hal budaya di Pantai Timur meliputi Melayu Kelantan, Siam, Semang, Sakai, Negrito dan Temiar. Buku ditamatkan dengan lampiran ceramah sebagai gulungan pada segala pengalaman beliau terhadap tanah Malaysia ketika itu.
Kajian ringkas terhadap Wayang Kulit, Mak Yong dan Menora begitu polos tanpa ada sebarang keterikatan. Dinyatakan ritual ritual tertentu. Begitu juga sepintas tentang makanan dan adab kenduri kendara lama di Pantai Timur, termasuk teknik mendapatkan maklumat dari warga orang asal.
Bertolak dari catatan awal, pembaca dibawa menyusuri dunia lama yang penuh dengan kesopanan dan budaya hidup. Sila ambil hentang pada mode pengangkutan dan hubungan beliau dengan warga setempat. Beliau sendiri mempunyai stail hebat melakarkan rasa seronok, tidak puas, kesukaran dengan cara yang sangat beradab.
Malaya sekiranya benar catatan ini, tidaklah seburuk yang digambarkan oleh pencatat pencatat lain.
Saya ingin menyarankan buku ini dibaca oleh para pelajar sekolah Sosiologi dan yang meminati bidang sejarah. Ia berbunyi santai dan tidak akademis melulu.

[tiTa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stepping back in time with Jeanne Cuisinier's 'What I Saw in Malaya'.. This fascinating book transports me to 1930s Malaya, offering a glimpse into the everyday lives of Malay people and indigenous communities. Cuisinier, a French ethnologist, shares her insightful observations with a touch of humor and a deep respect for the cultures she encountered.

What I Saw in Malaya is essentially a collection of notes and observations made by Jeanne Cuisinier during her time in Malaya. Also touch about the unique social structures. Cuisinier, as an ethnologist, would have been keenly interested in understanding the social fabric of Malay society.

Here are some aspects of social structures she likely explored:
👑 Hierarchy and Status: Malay society, like many others, has a hierarchical structure. Cuisinier would have observed how this hierarchy manifested in daily life, in relationships between individuals, and in social ceremonies.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family Structures: Cuisinier would have explored the different types of family structures, kinship systems, and the roles of family members within the community.
🖼 Village Life: She would have observed how social interactions and community life unfolded within Malay villages.
📽 And many more. By documenting these aspects of Malay social structures, Cuisinier provided valuable insights into the social fabric of a unique and fascinating society.

📚📜

I Recommend this book to anyone interested in history, anthropology, or simply curious about other cultures. But while this book offers a fascinating glimpse into Malay culture, it's important to remember that it's based on Cuisinier's personal observations and interpretations.

Here's why further research is encouraged:
🥽 Limited Scope: Cuisinier's focus was primarily on Kelantan. Malay culture is diverse across the Malay Peninsula, and her experiences might not fully represent the broader cultural landscape.
🎯 Subjectivity: Like any observer, Cuisinier's perspective is inherently subjective. Her own background, biases, and interpretations inev.

That..
is my very subjective marks.

[Linda Tahir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of Jeanne Cuisinier’s observations of Malay and Orang Asal society in the 1930s Malaya. Her writings are always fair and respectful of the Malays and Orang Asal’s culture and lifestyle. I enjoyed reading it and because she described everything quite vividly, it was easy to imagine what she saw and observed. It was like traveling back in time. My only complaint: I wish there were more.

[F. Nizar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book at my previous office. It initially belonged to a former Deputy Minister but I was so curious to read about it, hence I "pinjam" without returning it back to the owner LOL. It's a very nostalgic book to read, focusing mainly in Kelantan.

[Habieny strawberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

was expecting something more: culture of Malaya kingdom (istana), pre independence era, technology etc instead of specific study on indigenous people. nevertheless, this is still a good book + new knowledge. i appreciate how this book brings me travelling to history

[Shaharuddin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agak bosan bukunya

[Jesse Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

[Elli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent window into the past that I never imagined. The images are crisp, clear and interestingly, uncoloured by a "Colonial" mindset.

[Nurul Nadhira Idris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. I couldn’t find such info and observations anywhere else (or I dont know where to look). It briefly (but exciting enough) tells you how Malaya was in the 1930s.

[Mla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It should be an easy read but I got bored towards the end and took me a while to finish

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather interesting ethnographic read, I might read the French version of it one day.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting observations. rare read

[Amber Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Malay version of this book
(by bibliopress 'Yang Saya Lihat di Malaya')
To be honest, I am quite impressed with Jeanne Cuisinier's research on Malay and Orang Asli cultures. She put her effort and passion into her work. I must say that her work is very detailed and legit. It is a good read for Malaysian especially if you are Kelantanese, Orang Asli (Temiar and Sakai), and Siamese. Leisurely explanation, and also good storytelling by Cuisinier. You have to experience it yourself by reading this book from her perspective and knowledge about Malaya (Malaysia).

[Adrujha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seorang etnografis Perancis datang ke semenanjung Tanah Melayu merekodkan pemerhatian terhadap orang Melayu dan orang asli. Orang Malaya pada mulanya takut tetapi setelah agak rapat dengan Penulis. Orang Malaya agak skeptikal dengan orang putih disebabkan oleh pengalaman masa lalu bersama penjajah.

Pembacaan saya ini memberikan ilmu baru mengenai budaya orang Kelantan dan Orang Asli di sana yang saya sendiri tidak pernah tahu.

[Linus Jern · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was gifted this book by a stranger in a bookshop in Kuala Lumpur, so I figured I’ll read it, even though it’s different from what I usually read.

A collection of lectures by the ethnologist Jeanne Cuisinier about what she saw and learned while exploring the Malay peninsula in the 1930s.

It was an interesting read about the culture, magic and way of life of the indigenous people of the Kelantan.

[YP · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great primary source read of 1930s Malaya. A glimpse into specific communities in Malaya then.