09 Oct 2016: Ikat Limar October 13, 2016 – Posted in: Newsletters

Traditional Malay arts and crafts can be classified according to the techniques employed and the different materials used in their production. Two popular forms include Ikat Limar and Ukiran Kayu Melayu Tradisi, or textile weaving and wood crafting, and they are the subjects of our featured books this week: Ikat Limar – The Ancient Malay Textile and Ukiran Kayu Melayu Tradisi. Although weavers in the northeast part of West Malaysia still use traditional looms to weave textiles,…

02 Oct 2016: The Chettiar Role in Malaysia’s Economic History – Posted in: Newsletters

This meticulously researched book represents a noteworthy contribution to our understanding of the ’subaltern’ economy of Malaysia during the colonial period and to our appreciation of the changing role of the Chettiar in modern times. ‒ Barbara Watson Andaya, Professor of Asian Studies, University of Hawai’i Our featured book, The Chettiar Role in Malaysia’s Economic History, provides a fascinating study on how, since the formation of the Federated Malay States in 1896 until independence, the Chettiars…