In the archipelago, too, the widespread use of
Malay and an acceptance of the Islamic faith
fostered continuing interaction between many
coastal trading centres. The travels of ancestors,
heroes, kings and religious teachers between
courts which shared basic cultural elements is a
recurring theme in local legends.
• With this kind of exchange it was possible for
some Malays to see themselves as part of a
culture which extended beyond narrow loyalties.
• the similarities which helped to draw many
Southeast Asian communities into a mutually
beneficial association and competition are trade
and control resources
A common Buddhist iconography accepted
throughout most of the mainland meant
'precious objects' were not now simply of
local significance but had a wider value as
sources of intense spiritual power.
• Thai and Burmese chronicles are replete with
stories of raids which not only depopulate an
entire region but carry off holy images, sacred
books and teachers.
• ‘Precious objects' is white elephants
In island Southeast Asia during the sixteenth century
the expression of competition in religious terms was
accentuated by the spread of Christianity and the
importation of hostilities between Muslims and
Christians. Throughout the archipelago the Portuguese
goal of winning souls as well as gold meant many
Muslims perceived them as a danger to their religion as
well as a commercial challenge.
• Despite the recurring calls for a religious crusade,
however, relations between the Christian Portuguese
and local Muslim kings were always governed by
pragmatism. On the one side, Europeans needed to
buy and sell, while for their part native rulers often saw
a European connection as an important ingredient in
commercial success.