Authors : Adnan Jusoh, Yunus Sauman, Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman and Zuliskandar Ramli
Abstract: This study attempts to describe the bronze drums found in several locations in Southeast Asia. Bronze drum is a type of object that is believed to have been produced by the people of the late prehistoric period. Objects made of bronze are comprised of several metals such as iron (Fe), tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) but copper is the primary metal component. The uniqueness of the bronze drums is in the attractive displays of motifs and decorative patterns especially on the tympanum and the body of the bronze drums. By using the method of literature review and typology on several bronze drums found in Southeast Asia, it was found that several types of decorative motifs are displayed on the bronze drums. Among the motifs displayed are the star motif, the triangle motif, the saw tooth (zig-zag) motif, the tangential circle motif, the stairs motif and a few others. However, one of the motifs that is no less interesting is the boat motif which is displayed particularly on the bronze drums’ body. Based on observation, it was found that the appearance of the boat motif is not the same between one bronze drum to another. The results of the study also show that there are a few underlying aspects behind the displays of boat motifs on the bronze drums. The manifestation behind the boat motifs is the phenomenon of the life of the people of the late prehistoric period and its relationship with the activities of maritime and trade, elements of rituals and beliefs, regatta, creativity, intellect and many others.
Adnan Jusoh, Yunus Sauman, Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman and Zuliskandar Ramli, 2013. The Significance of the Boat Motifs on Bronze Drums and its Relationship with the Socio-Culture of the People of the Late Prehistoric Period. The Social Sciences, 8: 319-326.