The Dynamism of Cultural Interaction: Application of Arabic Influence in Traditional Malay Medicine Manuscripts

Abstract

The influence of the Arab culture in Malay medicine reflects a dynamism of cultural interaction that has shaped the landscape of traditional Malay medicine. This process can be understood by looking at the trade between the Malay states and ports in the Arab lands. Arab culture has a significant impact on cosmology, terminology, therapy and pharmacology in Malay medicine. In other words, to date, elements of Arab-Islamic culture have been the major factor in the development of Malay medicine. This paper focuses on identifying and analysing the application of Arabic influence in traditional Malay medicine manuscripts as a dynamism of cultural interaction. The methodology for this study involves library research and text analysis, using selected traditional Malay medicine manuscripts as the main source. This study identifies three key aspects of Arab cultural interaction in Malay medicine, including the use of the Arab-Malay huruf, the selection of days and times, as well as the integration of Quranic verses in the medical context. It also seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding and become a source of reference for researchers in the field of traditional and modern medicine. The writing also seeks to provide insights of the importance of Arab-Islamic culture in the formation of Malay medical identity as well as to emphasise the positive impact of the assimilation process of Arab culture in strengthening the relationship between Malay and Arab cultures.

Full text: PDF