Malay Heritage Museum

The Malay Heritage Museum (Malay: Muzium Warisan Melayu; Jawi: موزيوم واريثن ملايو‎) is a museum located within Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), it hosts a diverse array of exhibits, encompassing manuscripts, traditional attire, weaponry and architectural remnants from various Malay regions.
The institution is aligned with significant organizations such as the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the Asia-Europe Museum Network, ensuring compliance with international museological standards. Its core objective is to preserve and promote Malay heritage.
The Malay Heritage Museum was established through collaboration between Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Fauzi Haji Ramlan, former Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Professor Dato’ Dr. Abdul Mua’ti @ Zamri, former Dean of the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication. They were later joined by Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Pauzi Abdul Latif and Dr. Rahimah Hamdan, former directors/coordinators of the museum.
Their goal was to collect a diverse range of artifacts, including manuscripts, traditional Malay attire, weaponry and indigenous architecture from various regions, for display within the Cultural Square on the campus. This initiative aimed to provide visitors with an immersive experience to explore and appreciate different aspects of Malay heritage.
On April 8, 2014, the Malay Heritage Museum was formally inaugurated at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), located within the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication. The launch event aimed to highlight the museum's unique position within the realm of Malay heritage institutions in Malaysia. With an emphasis on collections reflecting the intricacies of Malay identity, notable features included a manuscript delving into the Taming Sari keris and an outdoor exhibit featuring antique traditional Malay houses.
The Malay Heritage Museum serves not only as a repository of Malay heritage but also facilitates intellectual discourse and community engagement. It hosts various activities, including seminars, workshops and cultural festivals, fostering dialogue and involvement among scholars, enthusiasts and the community. These events offer opportunities to explore different aspects of Malay culture, history and identity, contributing to public discourse and understanding.
The Malay Heritage Museum is intended as a space for students, researchers and communities, both locally and globally, to engage with Malay culture. Operated within the framework of a research university, the museum aims to promote interdisciplinary collaboration across academic disciplines such as language, literature, communication, design, medicine, materials science, textile science, sociology, anthropology and related areas. Through this collaborative approach, the museum seeks to explore various aspects of Malay heritage comprehensively, aiming to understand its intricacies.
The exhibition provides an in-depth presentation of traditional Malay attire and accessories, aiming to offer visitors insights into the clothing heritage of Malay culture. It encompasses various styles, from women's Baju Kurung to men's Baju Melayu, worn across different historical periods.
Moreover, the exhibition delves into the diverse range of textiles found in the Malay world, showcasing various types and patterns used in garments and decorative items across generations. Visitors can observe the craftsmanship and artistic details woven into each fabric, reflecting the culture of the Malay people.
Another noteworthy aspect of the exhibition is the recognition of the artistic endeavors and handicrafts of Malay women. Through exhibits featuring hand embroidery, weaving and other traditional techniques, visitors can learn about the cultural contributions of Malay women over time. These exhibits highlight skills, providing tangible connections to the cultural identity and heritage of the Malay community.
This section of the exhibition sheds light on handwritten manuscriptss, offering visitors insights into the intellectual advancements of ancient Malay civilization. These manuscripts, spanning various domains including medicine, navigation, mathematics and martial arts.
Additionally, the aim is to transform this museum into a leading reference center for Malay manuscripts among public higher education institutions. The museum has amassed over 100 valuable ancient Malay manuscripts, estimated to be worth around RM500,000.
In this section of the exhibition, visitors explore traditional Malay weaponry and combat gear, gaining insights into the martial heritage of Malay communities. The display includes various armaments like the keris and firearms, providing an understanding of Malay martial traditions.
Central to the exhibit is the Keris, which holds cultural significance in Malay society. Each keris tells a story of lineage, valor and cultural identity, offering insight into its symbolism and craftsmanship. Alongside the keris, the exhibition features other weapons used by traditional Malay warriors, including spears, swords, cannons and firearms, each reflecting different aspects of Malay warfare.
This section of the exhibition provides visitors with a glimpse into the daily routines of traditional Malay households, showcasing an array of household items and utensils made from materials such as ceramics, copper and silver. Additionally, the collection features distinctive artifacts that showcase the craftsmanship prevalent in Malay society, including musical instruments.
Visitors have the opportunity to delve into the practical facets of traditional Malay life through these artifacts, acquiring insights into the cultural heritage encapsulated within household objects and musical instruemtns. From pottery to crafted utensils, each item mirrors the customs and traditions that have played a central role in Malay households for generations.
The outdoor exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to explore traditional Malay architecture. Selected traditional Malay houses are reconstructed within the museum grounds with attention to detail, forming a Heritage Site. In this section, visitors can observe the designs of traditional Malay architecture, both externally and internally.
Currently, the Heritage Site comprises four individual houses, each representing a distinct regional style and cultural identity. These include Rumah Datuk Raja Diwangsa Muhammad Yunus bin Jabar from Negeri Sembilan, Rumah Uda Noh bin Kanda Jaafar from Perak, Rumah Wan Muda bin Wan Hassan from Terengganu, and Rumah Penghulu Hj Ismail bin Khatib Bakar from Pahang.