SAMUDERA - Journal of Maritime and Coastal Studies

MARITIME SOUTHEAST ASIA IN GLOBAL TRADE IN PRE-MODERN TIMES: A HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY PERSPECTIVE

Loh Wei Leng — 2019-09-30

From the earliest centuries, there is evidence of the participation of various communities in the Southeast Asian region in global trade between Europe, India and China. One of its components was between China and Maritime Southeast Asia, which focused on trade in the South China Sea and the Straits of Melaka. Maritime Southeast Asia developed, first as suppliers of regional goods and services, next as the transit foci of routes extending to the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. The region also attracted new migrant communities as sojourners, settlers and colonists vying for the control of the flow of goods and services, giving rise to an intricate pattern of complex local, regional and global trade networks. As new types of products, routes and markets emerged in dynamic and ever-changing patterns, some of the communities were wiped away, while others re-grouped to form new social and economic alliances. New political, social and economic liaisons and mobility resulted in the formation of acculturated minority communities. This paper is part of a broader study of the contribution of one such minority sub-community, i.e., the Peranakan Chinese in maritime Southeast Asia in the period when the China-Southeast Asia component of the East-West trade had its most significant impact on the social and economic development of the region, i.e., the eighteenth to the nineteenth centuries.

Keywords: trading communities, regional commerce, maritime Southeast Asia, Peranakan Chinese

GREAT POWER RIVALRY AND MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

K S Balakrishnan — 2019-09-30

The South China Sea has become the new battleground for military rivalry with the end of the Cold War between superpowers. The introduction of UNCLOS in 1982 has only worsened the issue of maritime disputes as many claimant states engage in all kind of military activities in order to strengthen their respective national maritime claims. The United States and China tend to also raise different perspective in viewing the dispute. Efforts are being taken to upgrade the maritime military capabilities both from the naval and air power dimensions. The US has aided the Philippines in small ways, and Washington has its view on the freedom of navigation even though it is not a claimant. Military activities and presence in this zone can also be viewed from a geopolitical perspective, including the tension in US-China relations. There are also the interests of the external players who regard the safety of navigation in these waters as vital to the interests of all, and not just to the contesting states. China’s military rise is also a major concern for all for, both large and small nations. This article will provide an overarching view of the military dynamics and geopolitics in the South China Sea.

Keywords: South China Sea, military activities, rivalry, United States, China

‘TROUBLED WATERS’: MARITIME ISSUES IN PALK STRAIT, INDIAN OCEAN

M. Mayilvaganan — 2019-09-30

India had settled maritime boundary issues with all its neighbours including Sri Lanka. In reality, however, India still has issues to be addressed in Palk Strait with Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. In spite of the existence of two maritime agreements of 1974 and 1976, there are certain irritants between the two neighbours. The main issue is the status of Kachchativu, a small barren island in the Palk Bay area and the fishing around it. The contest for marine resources in and around Kachchativu by Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen has not only heighten the disagreement between stakeholders but also led to demands to reclaim the island by Indian fishermen and Dravidian political parties in Tamil Nadu. The paper examines the historical debates between two countries on the legal claim of the barren island, its settlement and its implication on India's domestic politics, and the challenges faced at the moment. Particularly, the recurring attack on Indian fishermen in Palk Straits by the Sri Lankan Navy then and now has become a contentious issue between two neighbours, which require comprehensive analysis. Finally, the paper highlights the availability of reasonable options before two countries in strengthening of cooperation and amicable settlement of fishery row.

Keywords: Palk Strait, India-Sri Lanka relations, Kachchativu, Indian Ocean

BETWEEN CULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL OF NYONYA FOOD IN MELAKA

Douglas Luebe — 2019-09-30

This article explores the commodification of Nyonya food in Malacca. Nyonya cuisine gained recognition and became a commercialised cuisine over the past decades. A case study approach was used for this research to look into the emergence of these restaurants and their interaction with the heritage of the Baba Nyonya. Data regarding usage of food in the Baba Nyonya context was collected from secondary data, observations, informal interviews, and by eating at twenty Baba Nyonya restaurants. This information was used to provide a current overview of Baba Nyonya restaurants. From there, the analysis aims to identify examples and patterns of commodification resulting from the emergence of Nyonya restaurants. The effects of commodification are evaluated in terms of its influence on the forms and functions of Nyonya food. Forms of the food such as ingredients, menu items and preparation techniques show a wide range from remaining authentic to being highly commodified. In regard to function, the transition into the commercial sector as a means of earning wealth marks a deviation from the previous function of food as a key cultural aspect of celebrations and as an indication of wealth. Nonetheless, this transition of Nyonya food into the commercial sector marks a continuation of an even prior Baba Nyonya characteristic of business ingenuity and economic creativity.

Keywords: Baba Nyonya, Malacca, Commodification, Forms and Functions, Authenticity

THE POTENTIAL FOR MARINE ECOTOURISM IN MUKIM TANJUNG KUPANG, JOHOR, MALAYSIA THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES VIA ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Serina Rahman — 2019-09-30

Marine tourism is a growing industry in Malaysia, with most tourism infrastructure and development focused on famous islands and sandy beaches. Less well-known areas on the south-west coast of the Peninsular such as Sungai Pulai that feature coastal mangroves and seagrass meadows are unfortunately not given emphasis. This paper outlines the potential of the mangrove and seagrass habitats of Sungai Pulai for marine tourism as well as its possible impacts (positive and negative) on its local communities. It is essential that local communities within the tourism realm are actively involved and have a say in tourism development and that they stand to benefit economically. This paper uses the example of Mukim Tg Kupang, Johor as an area that has marine tourism potential, even though it does not fall into the â€˜typical' expectation of sandy beaches and beautiful dive sites. Strategies to ensure local community participation and benefits include environmental awareness through education and enhancing communication skills of the locals in their efforts to preserve their marine habitat. A holistic approach to marine tourism via the understanding of their physical and biological environment as well as intellectual and aesthetic development creates the capacity to enhance marine conservation.

Keywords: Local communities, environmental education, conservation, marine, tourism management

GENDERING DANCE, GAZING MUSIC: DANCE MOVEMENTS, HEALING RITUALS AND MUSIC MAKING OF SAMA BAJAU AND SAMA DILAUT OF EAST MALAYSIA AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

Mohd Anis Md Nor — 2019-09-30

Amongst the Sama and Bajau of the Sulu Sea (formerly referred to as ‘sea gypsies’), the Sama Bajau of Malaysia (who no longer roam the sea but live in coastal hamlets and villages) and the Sama DiLaut of the Southern Philippines share commonalities in the way dancers are gendered through the choices of musical tunes while partaking in the ritual healing ceremony of Magpaibahau or Magduwata (amongst Sama Bajau and Bajau Laut in Malaysia), Mag-paigal (Bajau Laut in Semporna, Malaysia and in Sitangkai, Philippines), or Pagkanduli (Sama Dilaut in Sitangkai, Philippines). The tagunggu' ensemble with the kulintangan pot gong set, agung (two big hanging gongs) or tawag (large gong), and tambul (drum) play tunes or titik for the spirit bearer (Jin), which is represented by Jin Lella (male Jin) or Jin Denda (female Jin). The tunes (titik) may also signify the places where these events take place such as Titik Lellang for the Magduwata ritual amongst Sama Bajau in Semporna, East Malaysia or Titik Limbayan for the Pagkanduli ritual of the Sama Dilaut in Sitangkai, Southern Philippines. Similarly, these tunes are associated with the gender of the spirit-bearers, Titik Lellang for the male spirit bearer and Titik Limbayan for female spirit-bearers. Dances or igal of the spirit-bearers in these communities are also identified and named after the tunes, such as Igal Lellang and Igal Limbayan respectively. This paper aims to highlight the responses between the tagunggu'/kulintangan musicians and the dancing spirit-bearers in these two locations: Semporna in East Malaysia and Sitangkai in the Sulu Archipelago in Southern Philippines as they reciprocate on the gazes of the dancing spirit-bearers in sustaining appropriate rhythmic pulses to the tunes of gendered musical styles.