A two tales of syairs: Representation of women in Syair Saudagar Bodoh and Syair Khadamuddin

Abstract

The Johor–Riau Kingdom flourished alongside the emergence of syair, a classical Malay poetic form that became a medium of entertainment and intellectual expression. Notably, women played a significant role in developing and popularising syair, contributing to its cultural prominence. This period also witnessed the rise of highly intellectual women, particularly those associated with the genealogy of Raja Ali Haji, a renowned literary figure in the Johor–Riau tradition. This paper aims to examine the characteristics of Malay women as portrayed in Syair Saudagar Bodoh (1861) by Raja Kalzum and Syair Khadamuddin (1927) by Raja Aisyah Sulaiman. These texts are selected due to the limited scholarly attention given to syair authored by women in academic discourse. Thus, this study seeks to address this gap. Using a descriptive-analytical method, the study examines both syairs through a socio-historical lens. Both syairs are utilised as primary sources. The original version of Syair Saudagar Bodoh is available in lithographic printing, while the transliteration of Syair Khadamuddin by Raja Hamzah Yunus is utilised. Furthermore, this study employs books and journals to support the concrete data.  The findings reveal that these works contain elements of women’s emancipation, particularly in the selection of spouses and the expected conduct of wives in maintaining household harmony. Religion functions as a guiding framework, preserving the eloquence and elegance associated with Malay women. Syair Saudagar Bodoh outlines the qualities men should consider when choosing a wife, while Syair Khadamuddin discusses women’s behaviour in times of marital adversity and the virtues they should embody. Both texts portray women as independent, educated, and assertive in claiming their rights. These representations reflect the lived experiences of the authors, which suggest that women’s emancipation was evident in the Johor–Riau Kingdom, distinguishing it from other Malay polities.