When I tell stories to young Malaysians, I walk away feeling here is another group of Hikayat Warriors to help me ensure our Hikayat and folklores will be remembered and loved. Prof Emeritus Muhammad Hj Salleh tells us, “The concept of an ideal, equal, caring and sustainable society lies in its folklore and here are embedded the central thoughts, psyche and wisdom of the people. Therefore, it is crucial that we preserve them.”
As we celebrate Hari Merdeka, we need to take a step back and reassess our national integration. I find when I write or tell stories, and have stories from Sarawak and Sabah, from Johore to Perlis, the kids light up with enjoyment especially if these are their home states. They can clearly identify with the stories and this builds self belonging and confidence. That is why we need to relook and commit to adding the A in our country’s focus on STEM in education. We are moving in this holistic approach STEAM which is great - as everywhere we look, there is a battle-cry for more well rounded ‘Life Champions’.
Stories and storytelling can help greatly.
Hikayat and historical literature provides our younger generation with an insight not just into well written works, but also history, geography, creative thinking and sometimes, even science. More than 30 years before men landed on the moon, Herge illustrated how Tin Tin and Captain Haddock flew to the moon. Author Nisah Haron shared in her paper the evidence of science fiction in our legends and folklores. This is so true. Long before Jules Verne wrote 20000 Leagues Under The Sea, our Sejarah Melayu related the story of a great king Raja Chulan delved the depths of the sea in a ‘pesawat peti kaca’ to arrive in Dika, an underwater kingdom.
The Malay Hikayat, legends and folklores are among the most popular literature preserved in our Malay manuscripts and through oral storytelling. These legends, including those from our highly acclaimed dance theatres Makyung and Mek Mulung, hold the key to understanding and revisualising our ancient world, and thus possess immense value to the development of our national culture and pride, in particular to nation-building.
But beyond that, Hikayat, legends and folklores contain a wealth of Malay knowledge on topics ranging from governance, protocol, diplomacy, architecture, shipbuilding, weaponry and textiles to medicinal practices, literature, entertainment, music, dance, wisdom and creative thinking. They are proof that ancient societies in our land had highly conceptualized ideas and creativity especially evident before colonization. They represent an advanced culture of rich literature, heritage and cosmopolitan life practised centuries ago, and encapsulate the psyche and intrinsic values of the Malays as a people.
Since education today is aimed at prepping students for taking on the world around them, historical literature has never been more important! Historical literature helps students learn, understand and examine the way language has evolved. Being made aware of the way language has developed over time, makes it more likely for them to appreciate our roots in the current milieu.
More often than not, Hikayat or historical literature allows the students to experience various cultures, time periods and our predecessors’ way of life. This in turn helps develop critical thinking skills, a quality that can help them to learn other subjects well. I often add Chinese, Indian, Japanese and other stories to my repertoire of legends.
This adds to the depth of stories we tell AS A PEOPLE. Imagine how wonderful our tourism attractions would be when there is a story tied to every destination, every craft and every tourism product we offer. Imagine how authentic and genuine when we tell these stories with depth in a voice that is confident and proud.
Today, it is vital to share with current generations how these old forms of knowledge evidenced in the Hikayat, historical literature, legends and folklores of the past remain relevant and are in fact vital to our future aspirations in the modern world.
The Malay Hikayat, legends and folklores are truly the memories of our ancient civilisation. They are key to our moving forward, from strength, to strength.
Rebuilding our Nation, one generation at a time.
* Ninot Aziz from the Persatuan Sastera Lisan Malaysia, is an author, storyteller and Public Relations Consultant with bzBee Consult.
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
Ninot Aziz
Wed Sep 15 2021
![Nation building powered by stories Nation building powered by stories](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-09/71599184025_harimalaysia.jpg)
Ninot Aziz shares why the Hikayat and historical literature should have a place in every Malaysian classroom. BERNAMA photo
![Pelancong asing ditahan disyaki cabul pekerja spa di Pulau Perhentian Pelancong asing ditahan disyaki cabul pekerja spa di Pulau Perhentian](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-07/51658407048_Cabul.jpg)
Pelancong asing ditahan disyaki cabul pekerja spa di Pulau Perhentian
Polis menahan seorang pelancong lelaki warga Maghribi kerana disyaki mencabul seorang juruterapi wanita rakyat tempatan di Pulau Perhentian.
Warga Thailand seludup diesel dihadapkan mahkamah
Seorang pemandu lori warga Thailand dihadapkan ke mahkamah atas menyeleweng 322 liter minyak diesel minggu lalu.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas: YB Kampar minta buka riben putih
Susulan pengumuman ADUN Rembia sertai Pas dalam sidang media, YB Kampar, Chong Zhemin kemuka Peraturan Mesyuarat dan menyifatkan satu penghinaan besar buat Parlimen.
#SisiTVParlimen
#AWANInews
#SisiTVParlimen
#AWANInews
![Malaysia, Brunei dalam proses rundingan muktamad sempadan darat negara - Mohamad Malaysia, Brunei dalam proses rundingan muktamad sempadan darat negara - Mohamad](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720590984_DatukSeriMohamadH.jpg)
Malaysia, Brunei dalam proses rundingan muktamad sempadan darat negara - Mohamad
Mohamad Hasan berkata buat masa ini, kerja-kerja penandaan dan pengukuran di lapangan telah meliputi 175.96 km atau 33.3 peratus daripada keseluruhan jarak sempadan.
Kim Pan Gon undur diri kesan kepada Harimau Malaya
Apa reaksi peminat Harimau Malaya dan penganalisis sukan mengenai peletakan jawatan Kim Pan-Gon?
Masuk Pas untuk sama-sama susah dengan rakyat - ADUN Rembia
Muhamad Jailani berkata, sebelum ini beliau pernah menghantar surat kepada Lembaga Disiplin UMNO memohon untuk memecat keahliannya daripada parti Melayu itu.
![Perang berlarutan antara punca kelewatan penghantaran Black Hawk Perang berlarutan antara punca kelewatan penghantaran Black Hawk](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51712121864_TBADLYZAHARIjp.jpg)
Perang berlarutan antara punca kelewatan penghantaran Black Hawk
Perkara itu dimaklumkan pihak Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd iaitu syarikat yang dipertanggungjawabkan dalam kontrak perolehan perkhidmatan sewaan helikopter berkenaan.
Keghairahan final Euro 2024 dibawakan ke restoran mamak
Kemeriahan dan keghairahan perlawanan final UEFA EURO 2024 antara Sepanyol dengan England di Berlin, Jerman dirasai di Malaysia, dibawakan oleh 'Astro BizOne Watch Party' di Restoran Hakim, Seksyen 7, Shah Alam.
![Polis kesan remaja lelaki hilang sejak enam hari lepas Polis kesan remaja lelaki hilang sejak enam hari lepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721115027_MuhammadAdiLagik.jpg)
Polis kesan remaja lelaki hilang sejak enam hari lepas
Polis sedang berusaha mengesan seorang remaja lelaki yang dilaporkan hilang oleh keluarganya di Kuala Pilah sejak enam hari lepas.
[TERKINI] Sidang media khas FAM
FAM adakan satu sidang media khas petang nanti, difahamkan berkaitan rombakan. Kepimpinan tertinggi FAM atau barisan kejurulatihan skuad Harimau Malaya?
![15 universiti di Malaysia tersenarai dalam THE Asia University Ranking 2021 15 universiti di Malaysia tersenarai dalam THE Asia University Ranking 2021](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/81622694730_generic.jpg)
15 universiti di Malaysia tersenarai dalam THE Asia University Ranking 2021
Universiti Malaya masih kekal berada dalam kumpulan 50 teratas pusat pengajian terbaik di dunia.
![Murid prasekolah Korea Utara kini diwajib ambil subjek cerita kehebatan Kim Jong-un Murid prasekolah Korea Utara kini diwajib ambil subjek cerita kehebatan Kim Jong-un](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-10/71571325612_KimJongun.jpg)
Murid prasekolah Korea Utara kini diwajib ambil subjek cerita kehebatan Kim Jong-un
Pelajar prasekolah di Korea Utara dipaksa untuk mengikuti mata pelajaran Greatness Education yang menceritakan mengenai kehebatan pemimpin negara itu, Kim Jong-un selama 90 minit pada setiap hari.
![MPPK sambut baik keputusan pembukaan semula IPT MPPK sambut baik keputusan pembukaan semula IPT](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-07/51594205743_MuhammadAmirAsyraf.jpg)
MPPK sambut baik keputusan pembukaan semula IPT
MPPK menyambut baik keputusan berhubung pembukaan semula IPT secara berperingkat seperti diumumkan Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad.
![Insentif pemandu pelancong Johor cerminan keprihatinan kerajaan negeri Insentif pemandu pelancong Johor cerminan keprihatinan kerajaan negeri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-09/81536761978_PejabatMenteriBesar.jpg)
Insentif pemandu pelancong Johor cerminan keprihatinan kerajaan negeri
Pandemik COVID-19 telah melumpuhkan sektor pelancongan global dan Malaysia juga tidak terkecuali.
![Taska, pusat jagaan kanak-kanak ikut SOP, ibu bapa tidak perlu bimbang Taska, pusat jagaan kanak-kanak ikut SOP, ibu bapa tidak perlu bimbang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-05/81590466778_TBMASHUPORANG.jpg)
Taska, pusat jagaan kanak-kanak ikut SOP, ibu bapa tidak perlu bimbang
Kebenaran pembukaan semula Taman Asuhan Kanak-Kanak (Taska) dan pusat jagaan kanak-kanak tentunya memberi nafas lega kepada ibu bapa yang bekerja.