About
Find out about Tales of the Malay World: Manuscripts and Early Books.
Last updated 24 July 2026
18 August 2017 – 25 February 2018
10:00am – 9:00pm
Level 10, Gallery, National Library Building
Step into the world of Malay stories – fantastical adventure tales of kings and heroes, founding myths of sultanates, and romantic poetry.
For centuries, Malay was the language of trade, diplomacy, religious discourse, and literature for maritime Southeast Asia. This exhibition explores traditional Malay literature captured in ink on paper – from handwritten manuscripts to early lithographed books.
These rarely seen items provide glimpses into the society that produced and read these literary works. Discover lesser-known stories of women authors and 19th-century lending libraries in the Malay world. Learn about the dramatic impact of printing on the manuscript tradition, and Singapore’s role as the early Malay/Muslim printing hub for the region.
The exhibition features precious manuscripts on loan from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, shown in Singapore for the first time. It is a unique opportunity to see these collections together.
Highlights include a manuscript (copied in 1710) of one of the oldest existing syair (narrative poem), which tells of the war (1666–69) between the Dutch and Makassar; the earliest manuscript on the exploits of the legendary Malay hero, Hang Tuah; one of the most ornate Malay manuscripts; and an 1811 letter from the sultan of Pontianak in Kalimantan to Stamford Raffles.
Come, discover these and other fascinating stories.
Brochures and Exhibition Guides
Download the brochures and exhibition guides below:
Shared Stories: Malay Movies and Manuscripts
18 August 2017 – 25 February 2018 (CLOSED)
10:00am – 9:00pm
Level 1, Lobby, National Library Building
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Singapore was the hub of Malay film production. Some of these films feature stories similar to those in handwritten Malay manuscripts. This display features snippets of seven such films, including Sultan Mahmud Mangkat di-Julang and Dang Anom, with accompanying film magazines.
Jointly organised by the National Library of Singapore and Asian Film Archive.
Tales of the Wily Mousedeer
11 August 2017 – 25 February 2018
Geylang East Public Library (Level 2) | 11 August 2017 – 1 October 2017
Ang Mo Kio Public Library (Level 1) | 2 October 2017 – 16 November 2017
Jurong West Public Library (Level 1) | 17 November 2017 – 11 January 2018
Bedok Public Library (Level 3) | 12 January – 25 February 2018
In Malay folklore, the wily mousedeer is the king of the forest. Stories of how the mousedeer outsmarts animals bigger than itself have entertained adults and children alike for centuries. The earliest manuscript containing the mousedeer story was written over 350 years ago! Learn more about the mousedeer in this travelling mini-exhibition.
The National Library would like to thank Inch Chua for allowing her music video, Mousedeer, to be featured in the showcase.
