Authors : Adnan Jusoh, Zuliskandar Ramli and Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman
Abstract: This study focuses on bronze drums, a type of artefact which is the relics of the people of the Late Prehistoric period. These objects are widespread and found in several locations in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. The main objective is to look at the cosmic element based on the motifs and decorative patterns of the bronze drums. Among the research problems are to examine, the relationship between the star motif displayed on the tympanum of the bronze drums and the element of cosmology and also the extent of its relationship with the socio-culture of the people of the Late Prehistoric period in Southeast Asia. Employing the methods of literature review and typology, the research discovered that the star motif is an important decorative motif because it is often displayed on the bronze drums tympanum. Moreover, it was found that various shapes or forms of the star motif are displayed on the bronze drums tympanum in fact, the number of points on the star motif is also different among the bronze drums and can be either 8, 10, 12, 14 or 16. This phenomenon shows that there exists a belief that the star motif is very important in the socio-culture of the people of the Late Prehistoric period. This is because the star motif is often linked to the element of cosmology that represents, the symbol or emblem of the highest power that rises above human ability in this universe.
Adnan Jusoh, Zuliskandar Ramli and Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman, 2014. Cosmology Element in the Decorative Motifs of Bronze Drums and its Relationship with the Socio-Culture of the People of the Late Prehistoric Period in Southeast Asia. The Social Sciences, 9: 460-466.