The scripts used in the Malay Archipelago during the pre-Islamic era were Pallava (in Sanskrit), Kawi and Nagari. Pallava originated from the Brahmi script of the Asoka Empire (272–231 BC) in India. During the Gupta Dynasty (320–540 AD), the strong Buddhist influence spread their scripts to this region. By the 8th century, Kawi had developed from Pallava, while Nagari appeared as a variant of the Gupta script.
Hindu religious doctrines were popularised through the oral medium, through epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Professional reciters would alter the stories to suit the local context. This contributed to the evolution of an oral literary genre, cerita lipur lara – folk romances to soothe the soul and uplift the spirit.
As writing and knowledge were regarded as sacred during the pre-Islamic period, it was only the ruling class, learned men, court poets and traders who were literate. Religious texts and scriptures were jealously guarded by the few who performed priestly functions. The masses were neither literate nor given the opportunity to acquire the rudiments of the written language.
The objects on display in this gallery are a small sample of the writings of the many ethnic groups in the Malay Archipelago.
Aksara Pallava, Kawi dan Nagari telah digunakan dalam zaman pra-Islam di Kepulauan Melayu. Aksara Pallava berasal daripada aksara Brahmi dalam zaman Empayar Asoka (272-231 SM). Ketika Dinasti Gupta (320-540) berkuasa, pengaruh agama Buddha telah mengembangkan kemahiran penulisan mereka ke Asia Tengah dan Asia Tenggara. Aksara Kawi berkembang dalam abad ke 8, manakala aksara Nagari muncul sebagai salah satu bentuk aksara Gupta. Doktrin agama Hindu tersebar melalui penceritaan epik seperti Mahabharata dan Ramayana oleh tuk dalang yang mengubahsuai isi dan jalan cerita mengikut citarasa masyarakat setempat. Penglipur lara pula berkembang sebagai sastera lisan. Memandangkan penulisan dan ilmu dianggap satu perkara yang suci dalam era pra-Islam ini, pengetahuan dan kemahiran menulis hanya bertumpu di dalam istana raja. Masyarakat biasa tidak diberi peluang untuk belajar membaca dan menulis. Artifak-artifak yang dipamerkan di dalam galeri ini adalah contoh penulisan pelbagai suku Melayu.
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