Authors : Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman, Othman Yatim, Mohamad Zain Musa and Zuliskandar Ramli
Abstract: In the Malay world, the word perahu in Malay/Indonesian language generally refers to water transportation regardless of its size. To differentiate the types of perahu, another word is added to the word perahu such as perahu jalur, perahu kolek and so on. Traditional perahu are boats without engines and may have sails. The sources of information on types of traditional Malay perahu can be found from the study of classical literature, museum exhibits, ethnography and samples which can still be seen along the coast. Perahu are decorated by painting or woodcarving. Today, a decorated perahu is usually a perahu used as fishing boats in the East Coast of the Malay Peninsular that is Terengganu, Kelantan and Southern Thailand. The decorations can be found in seven parts of the boats namely; Bangau, Okok, Cagak, Koyang Ekor, Kepala (head) and Caping. The motifs or themes of carvings or decorations are characters from wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre), myths, legends, flora and fauna and usually in a stylised form.
Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman, Othman Yatim, Mohamad Zain Musa and Zuliskandar Ramli, 2013. Malay Woodcarving as Decoration on Traditional Boats in Peninsula Malaysia. The Social Sciences, 8: 100-105.