Bunga mas

A golden tree, part of the bunga mas for the Thai court

The bunga mas dan perak (lit. "golden and silver flowers"), often abbreviated to bunga mas (Jawi: بوڠا مس‬ "golden flowers"), was a tribute sent every three years to the king of Ayutthaya (Siam) from its vassal states in the Malay Peninsula, in particular, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, Pattani, Nong Chik, Yala, Rangae,[1] Kubang Pasu and Setul.[2] The tribute consisted of two small trees made of gold and silver, plus costly gifts of weapons, goods and slaves. [3]

There are several supposed origins of and reasons for the establishment of the tradition:

  • 17th-century Kedah rulers considered it to be a token of friendship.
  • According to a Kedah legend, a bunga mas was sent as a toy for a Thai prince.
  • Thai kings maintained it was a recognition of their suzerainty.[3]

The practice ended with the establishment of British rule in most of the northern Malay states under the terms of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cyril Skinner (1983). A Malay Mission to Bangkok during the reign of Rama II, Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society,
  2. ↑ http://docplayer.net/38783122-Setoi-setul-mambang-segara-dalam-lintasan-sejarah-negeri-negeri-melayu-utara.html
  3. 1 2 3 Leonard Y. Andaya, Barbara Watson Andaya (1984). A History of Malaysia, ISBN 0312381212, pp.65-68
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