Shipping Golden Flowers. Bunga Mas, Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
On visits to Kuala Lumpur, I never fail to go to the now refurbished National Museum. Always something of interest to see there from the automobiles of the British governors to neolithic stones and utensils. And even more the enthusiasm of 'local' visitors for their heritage. It's a joy just to relax and watch the people.
This time my special attention was drawn to a display of wonderful Golden Flowers, a so-called Bunga Mas. Since the fourteenth century a number of northern Malay states (especially Kedah, and Kelantan, Terengganu, Pattani and others) every three years sent such a Golden Tree to the king of Siam; according to the latter as a tribute, and according to the Malay states as a bond of friendship. A special ship - Perahu Bunga Mas - was fitted out for the purpose. The custom lasted until a treaty of 1909 between the British and the Siamese.
Recently, in 2015, the government of Kedah sent a mission to Bangkok in an attempt to reclaim about 25 of these Trees for Malaysia. Whether successful, I don't know (yet).
The photo shows a detail of the much larger Tree.
Shipping Golden Flowers. Bunga Mas, Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
On visits to Kuala Lumpur, I never fail to go to the now refurbished National Museum. Always something of interest to see there from the automobiles of the British governors to neolithic stones and utensils. And even more the enthusiasm of 'local' visitors for their heritage. It's a joy just to relax and watch the people.
This time my special attention was drawn to a display of wonderful Golden Flowers, a so-called Bunga Mas. Since the fourteenth century a number of northern Malay states (especially Kedah, and Kelantan, Terengganu, Pattani and others) every three years sent such a Golden Tree to the king of Siam; according to the latter as a tribute, and according to the Malay states as a bond of friendship. A special ship - Perahu Bunga Mas - was fitted out for the purpose. The custom lasted until a treaty of 1909 between the British and the Siamese.
Recently, in 2015, the government of Kedah sent a mission to Bangkok in an attempt to reclaim about 25 of these Trees for Malaysia. Whether successful, I don't know (yet).
The photo shows a detail of the much larger Tree.