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Colonial Knowledge and the Construction of Malay and Malayness: Exploring the Literary Component

In: Contesting Malaysia’s Integration into the World Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Shamsul Amri Baharuddin

    (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

Abstract

This chapter assumes an exploratory approach to examine the construction of “Malay” as ethnic category and “Malayness”. The chapter goes on to show three simple points that help with this construction. Firstly, that the literary component is an integral part of each of the colonial investigative modalities. Secondly, that combined with other facts, data, ethnographic and material culture artifact, knowledge on native literature classify, categorize, consolidate, and objectify a particular social and give it an ethnic identity. Thirdly, such invented social groups become naturalized through the implementation of colonial policies that manipulate their existence. The chapter makes the point that “colonial knowledge” shall continue to be the most powerful form of knowledge that ever existed, but has increasingly less recognized as it never has been systematically analyzed or questioned as long as it is the source of power and legitimacy for the post-colonial state.

Suggested Citation

  • Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, 2021. "Colonial Knowledge and the Construction of Malay and Malayness: Exploring the Literary Component," Springer Books, in: Rajah Rasiah & Azirah Hashim & Jatswan S. Sidhu (ed.), Contesting Malaysia’s Integration into the World Economy, chapter 0, pages 77-94, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-981-16-0650-2_4
    DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-0650-2_4
    as

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