Corak Tartan Scottish Milik Kesultanan Johor

Pada tahun 1815, Highland Society of London memutuskan bahawa setiap ketua klan di Scotland boleh mendaftarkan corak Tartan klan mereka di mana daftar tersebut akan disimpan dan menjadi rekod kekal bersama lambang klan mereka. Rekod-rekod lama dari tahun 1815 mula dikemaskini setelah wujudnya 'Scottish Register of Tartans Act 2008' (SRT).

Apabila dikaji daftar SRT tersebut, terdapat dua corak Tartan lama yg didaftarkan khusus untuk Kesultanan Johor iaitu Tartan corak hijau & kuning atas nama "Johore" (No. 1309, dibawah kategori daerah jajahan) rekaan Thomas Gordon & Sons, Glasgow (Gambar 1).  Ianya dihadiahkan oleh Queen Victoria kepada Sultan Abu Bakar pada tahun 1880 (ketika beliau memegang gelaran Maharaja).

Gambar 1

Manakala corak biru & kuning-emas (No. 260, dibawah kategori ketenteraan) rekaan William Anderson didaftar dibawah 'Johore Regiment' pada tahun 1930 (gambar 2).

Gambar 2

Gambar 3

Melihat kembali gambar Sultan Sir Abu Bakar dengan pakaian lengkap 'Highland dress' (Gambar 3), terdapat kemungkinan bahawa warna dan corak Tartan yang beliau pakai ketika itu adalah berdasarkan warna dan corak Tartan bawah daftar "Johore" No. 1309.  Sultan Sir Abu Bakar memegang jawatan Temenggong Johor (1862 - 1868); Maharaja Johor (1868 - 1886); dan Sultan Johor (1886 -1895). Dipercayai bahawa atas nasihat Lord Lyon King of Arms, warna hijau dan kuning telah dipilih oleh Queen Victoria kerana ianya adalah warna DiRaja bagi jawatan Temenggong Johor.

Rujukan:

https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/index

How did Selat Tebrau Get Its Name?

Contrary to popular belief, the Malay name for Johor Strait i.e. Selat Tebrau does not originate from the tebrau plant, which is a coastal tall perennial true grass which looks similar to a sugarcane plant. Instead, it originated from the word "Tambrau" which comes from the sub-Austronesian language spoken by the Orang Seletar. To the Orang Seletar a.k.a orang laut or sea gypsies who occupies the coastal region along the Johor Strait, the word “Tambrau” means guardian spirit or ghost that guards or haunts the area.

Orang Seletar worship the numerous spirits that they believe are inhabited everywhere; failing to appease these spirits would cause them harm or impede their daily activities. It has been reported that until now when the Orang Seletar are out at sea and encounter a tideline, or a sinuous line where two currents converge, they will still lift their oars and ask permission from the guardian spirit to cross over. See news article: Seafaring Orang Laut strive to stay afloat

There is a place named "Tambrauw" highlands and "Tambrauw" province in West Papua, Indonesia, which may have shared the same etymology. See: Tambrauw Regency - Wikipedia

Central Dusun or Kadazan Dusun language (a branch of the Austronesian language) also has the same sounding word "Tombiruo" with the same meaning i.e. guardian spirit. See: Tombiruo: Penunggu Rimba - Wikipedia

A book titled 'Singapore Street Names' by Victor R Savage & Brenda Yeoh (2003), stated that the word "Tebrau" originates from "a kind of a large fish". This theory may have been based on an article written by John Crawfurd in the Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, dated 2.10.1856, which he described the strait as "Salat Tambrau (strait of the tambrau fish)". See 1856 article:-

This article is based on Crawfurd's 1856 book titled 'A Descriptive Dictionary of the Indian Island and Adjacent Countries'. See extract from Crawfurd’s book:

Nevertheless, by examining the list of known species, no such fish ever existed except for similar sounding Kurau fish (Mango fish / Indian Threadfin). It is to be noted that Crawfurd's works met much criticism at the time, and has also been scrutinised in the 21st century (See: Ellingson, Terry Jay (2001) in 'The Myth of the Noble Savage'). Although Crawfurd wrote prolifically, his views have been seen as inconsistent. As such, it is safe to conclude that there is no evidential basis to relate the word "Tebrau" or "Tambrau" with any marine species.

It is interesting to note that reference to old colonial maps would show that the use of the word "Tambrau" predates the word "Tebrau". The strait appears in Manuel Godinho de Erédia’s 1604 map as “Salat Tubro” (a variation of Selat Tambrau); and in Jean-Baptiste d’Apres de Mannevillette’s 1775 map as “Det. De Salete Baro”. Further, the East India Company's 1848 map as well as The Chronicle & Directory for China, Corea, Japan, the Philippines, Cochin-China, Annam, Tonquin, Siam, Borneo, Straits Settlements, Malay States & c (1888) describes the strait as "Silat Tambrau". See map & directory:

Analysis of maps produced by the Surveyor General of Straits Settlement from 1855 to 1871 shows the strait being correctly described as "Tambrau".

I believe that the error started with a 1885 map by the Public Works Department (PWD) which describes it as "Silat Tĕbrau" (with short "e" vowel sound replacing the existing letters “a” & “m”). See the 1885 map:-

The error persisted with the 1898 map by PWD which continued to describe it as "Selat Tĕbrau". See the 1898 map:-

As such, the name Tebrau, which is also used to describe the biggest sub-district in Johor Bahru as well as the name for roads, buildings, schools, and housing areas, could be based on an error by the surveyor of PWD that occurred around the 1880s to 1890s causing the strait (and a river) to be renamed "Tebrau" (the plant) instead of maintaining its original name "Tambrau" (the guardian spirit).

Note: This article is based on Yusrin Faidz Yusoff answers What is the Origin of the name 'Selat Tebrau' in the South of Peninsula Malaysia?

Blair’s Harbour in Mersing

Before the founding of Singapore (1819), the British had actually established a harbour in an area north of Mersing in 1790. They named it ‘Blair’s Harbour’ in honour of its founder, Lieutenant Archibald Blair (1752–1815).

On 12.6.1789 a meeting of the British governor-general in Council took place in Calcutta at which Lieutenant Archibald Blair was present (See: Archibald Blair - Wikipedia). The British decided to colonize the Andaman islands in order to gain a safe harbour from which to check the activities of Malayan pirates, to serve as a refuge for shipwrecked people, a watering station, a shelter from storms for all shipping and a naval base in case of hostilities with other powers. See 18th century Malayan pirate ship:-

A survey of the Andaman Islands was initially conducted by Archibald Blair around 1788 to 1789. Port Blair of the Andaman Islands was in fact named after Archibald Blair being its founder. See Port Blair’s 1885 map:-

Around 1790, few months before the annexation of Penang, Blair found his second safe harbour to counter the threats of Malayan pirates. This second safe harbour is located at the east coast of Malaya and was named Blair's Harbour. See Plan of Blair's Harbour (published in 1793):-

Source: National Library Board, Singapore.

Blair’s Harbour is described in the said Plan as follows:-

"It is very secure being screened from both monsoons, and is easy of access the bottom a stiff clay. The water is good and may be had in abundance by making wells 5 feet deep 20 or 30 yards from high water mark.

Thereafter, “Blair’s Harbour” or “Blair Harbour” appears on British Admiralty maps and often identified as the area between the south of Keban Island or Akban (Now Pulau Aceh), Tanjung Penyabong and Teluk Sari, north of the district of Mersing, Johor. See map:-

Source: National Library Board, Singapore.

In August 1937, HMS Herald surveyed the area wherein Lt Cdr K St B Collins produced a sketch of the general view of Blair's Harbour. See his Admiralty chart titled "Selat Penyabong, View A-Malaya-East Coast-Johore". 

Source: National Archives, UK.

Since time immemorial, this area is known to sailors to provide protection from strong wind and high waves during the monsoons. There is an earlier account of the area found in the Sejarah Melayu (Sulalatus Salatin). Around 1492, when the Sultan of Pahang learned that his fiancée Tun Teja had been spirited away by Hang Nadim (according to Sejarah Melayu) or Hang Tuah (according to Hikayat Hang Tuah). See clip from the movie ‘Hang Tuah’ (1956) which is based from ‘Hikayat Hang Tuah’:

Also see clip from the movie ‘Tuah’ (1988) which is based on the story of a time travelling Hang Tuah:

According to Sejarah Melayu, about 10 of Sultan's boats gave chase, and caught up with the captors south of Pulau Keban / Akban (now Pulau Aceh). Due to the captor's archery skill, the Sultan's men were defeated and gave up the chase. Thus Tun Teja was brought to Malacca and was married to Sultan Mahmud. See Artist’s impression of Tun Teja:-

Calm seas within the natural harbour became a strategic place for Hang Nadim / Hang Tuah to launch a counter attack against the Sultan's men. According to folklore, Teluk Sari (which later became part of Blair’s Harbour) derived its name from Hang Tuah's kris 'Taming Sari'. The word 'Sari' (SAH-ree) means 'shield'. It is named "Teluk Sari" to honour the area which protected Hang Tuah from strong wind and high waves which enabled him to fend off his foe. See: Mersing - Wikipedia Bahasa Melayu, ensiklopedia bebas

See aerial view of Blair’s Harbour. Untouched by development, it probably looked the same as it did during the 1492 Battle of Keban and when the British first set foot on its shores in 1790:-

From the 'Hikayat Hang Tuah', this is the second time Hang Tuah sailed the waters of Mersing. His earlier trip was made when he was a teenager where pursued a pirate vessel into Pulau Tinggi. To this very day, the battle site still stood among old graves that by the island's folklore was the gravesite of the fallen pirates.

Folklore also has it that the clear skies between Teluk Sari and Pulau Tinggi bear witness to Tun Teja's final plea and declaration of her undying love for Hang Tuah. It is said that the skies between Teluk Sari and Pulau Tinggi remained the same to this day allowing clear view of the stars and constellations. It is currently a popular site for stargazers, astrophotographers and amateur astronomers who flocks the area from May till August each year. See photographs of the Milky-way taken above north of Mersing:

Source: Greychow.com 

Source: Greychow.com 

Credit to Milkywaychasers.com

How Did Singapore Get its Name?

We have been taught that 'Singapore' got its name from the native Malay name for the country, Singapura, which was in turn derived from Sanskrit which means 'Lion City'. Singa comes from the word siṃha(सिंह), which means "lion", and pūra (पुर) which means "city". This is also based on folklore as well as written records in the Malay Annals where a strange looking animal (possibly a lion) was sighted by Sang Nila Utama (a.k.a. Sri Tri Buana) when he was hunting in Temasek around 1299. He is said to have changed the name Temasek to Singapura based on this encounter. This etymology is also backed by the possibility that it may relate to similar use of the “lion” prefix in the Champa kingdom of Simhapura or perhaps the Javanese kingdom of Singhasari.


The Malay Annals (1612) describes the beast seen by Sang Nila Utama as a powerful, fast-moving and fine-looking animal with a "red body, black head, and white breast", and size "slightly bigger than a goat." It could have been a tiger. Then again, it is unlikely that Sang Nila Utama or his followers would not recognise a tiger to mistake it for a lion.


Scholars have pointed out that lions are not native to Singapore or South East Asia, and the "lion" therefore would have been an error in identification and perhaps a folk or false etymology. See: False etymology - Wikipedia.


While I do agree that 'Pura' means city, old maps never refer to "Siṃha", “Singha” or "Singa". Carta del Cantino's 1502 map shows the southern portion of the Malay peninsula being described as “Barxingaparaa'':

Also see Martin Waldaeemuller's 1513 map which shows the area as 'Bargimgapara':

Bargimgapara' or 'barxingaparaa' is said to be a corruption of "Bahr-Sincapura", where the word 'bahr' is Arabic or Persian for coastal kingdom or a large body of water.

Jan Huygen van Linschoten in his 1596 map described it as ‘Sincapura’:

Manuel Godinho de Erédia in his 1604 map described it as ‘Sincapvra’.

Captain Alexander Hamilton (1688-1733) said that around 1703, he rejected Johor Sultan’s gift of the island of Singapore. In his 1727 book "A New Account of East Indies", Hamilton describes 'Sincapure' as follows:

See also a 1748 book by Giovanni Botero which describes it as “Sincapvra”:

It is even pronounced similar to "Sinca" in various Chinese dialects. Wu: "sin ka phu", Gan: "sin-ka-po", Hakka & Southern Min: "Sîn-kâ-phô", & Mandarin: "Xīnjiāpō".

Thus it has always been "Sinca" and not "Singa".

So what does 'Sinca' means?

The word "Sinca" relates to the act of ritual purification i.e. sprinkling blessed or holy water as described in the Mahayana Sutra known as "Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra" (Purifying All Evil Paths). To practitioners, the mantra (Dharani), in particular, is considered powerful for removing karmic obstacles, eliminating disasters and calamities, fulfilling wishes, benefit all beings and helps to cure illnesses. The transliteration from the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra states "Tathagata Sinca Me Samasvasayantu. Sarva Tathagata Samasvasa". I believe the word 'Sinca' or 'Sin-cha' ( सिञ्चत ) is synonymous with the entire purification act. It is used perhaps like what is currently retained in the Malay culture of "Merenjis" (minus the recitation of the Mahayana Sutra of course). See Picture of the act of sprinkling rose water on a Boeing 747-200.

In this sense, I believe that the etymology or rather toponymy of ‘Singapore’ relates closely to mainland Johor. This is so as around the 10th and 11th century mainland Johor was known by contextually-similar names i.e. "Ganggayu" or "Gangga Ayu" (Sanskrit meaning "water from river Ganges" i.e. holy water), and subsequently "Wura-wari" (old Javanese meaning "blessed, clear or pure water"). The ancient names of mainland Johor as well as Singapore could therefore relate to ritual purification practised by both Hinduism and Buddism. Both were practised by the native Malays in the southern Malay peninsula during Srivijaya rule (7th-13th century) and the subsequent Majapahit rule (13th-14th century).

Locals and tourists bathing in holy spring water at the Hindu temple in Bali, Pura Tirta Empul. 

Thus the etymology of the word ‘Singapore’ could possibly be attributed to its old name “Sincapura” which in Sanskrit means a city which has been sprinkled with blessed water i.e. “Purified City” or “Pure Land”.