KUALA LUMPUR – As new archaeological discoveries are made in the Bujang Valley (Lembah Bujang) and more to come in the near future, research and interpretation on the function and relevance of the site – which was part of the larger kingdom of Ancient Kedah – have to be conducted in tandem with regional and global historical sites, texts, and findings.
In the case of Lembah Bujang, the Yi Jing records, one of the earliest written accounts of the kingdom of Ancient Kedah, are among the references used to corroborate the interpretation of these new findings.
Yi Jing, sometimes referred to as I-Tsing in our history books, was a Buddhist monk from Shandong, China, who travelled to over 30 countries during his 25-year-long journey to Nalanda in India in search of Dhamma 1,300 years ago.
During this time, Yi Jing recorded his observations of local people, practices, customs, religion, and trade.
This includes his description of Ancient Kedah and the settlements he had stopped at along the Straits of Melaka including Srivijaya.
Yi Jing described the people he met along the Straits of Melaka, including Ancient Kedah, as pleasant. He stated that he felt relatively safer in this region than some other places he stopped in.
The monk, a respected figure during the Tang Dynasty, described Lembah Bujang, which is believed to be the hub of Ancient Kedah, as a place teeming with trade, diverse cultures, and people with various religious practices.
The recent Buddhist stupa and artefacts found at Bukit Choras are dated around the same time Yi Jing was in Ancient Kedah in the 7th century.
Yi Jing’s observations on Lembah Bujang indicate heightened integration between global citizens of that time in terms of trade and cultural exchanges.
There was a complex multicultural society in Ancient Kedah that is corroborated in ancient texts – including that written by Yi Jing, who completed his voyage and returned to Shandong in 695 AD.
Speaking at today’s International Conference on the History of Ancient Kedah based on Yi Jing’s Records, Museums Department director-general Datuk Kamarul Baharin Kasim said the study and exchange of Yi Jing’s writings by local and international experts will help create a dynamic, concrete, and comprehensive historical narrative on Ancient Kedah.
“An appreciation for our illustrious history will help strengthen our national identity and patriotic spirit.
“Building knowledge of our heritage not only enriches our culture, it also helps form basic values that unite every Malaysian together in building understanding and respect for our nation’s history,” he said at the conference opening.
National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang who officiated the conference said Yi Jing’s records show that the trade and diplomatic relationship between the two countries has been one that existed even during the time of Ancient Kedah.
The programme was also held to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China.
This relationship was temporarily severed during the Cold War as western colonists fought against communism. It was restored on May 31, 1974, with the diplomatic agreement signed between then-Malaysian prime minister Tun Abdul Razak and former Chinese prime minister Zhou Enlai.
“In recognising the value of Ancient Kedah to the country, we hope this conference can bring the experts from both countries together to discuss and find ways to complete the historical interpretation and narrative for Ancient Kedah, based on Yi Jing’s writings and recent findings”, said Aaron.
He added that the ministry is stepping up efforts to showcase the history and heritage of Ancient Kedah together with the Museums Department and National Archives. – July 13, 2024