The aim of this thesis is two-fold. Firstly, it
attempts to present a critical edition of an eighteenth
century work on traditional court ceremonials in the Malay
Peninsula, called Adat Raja-raja Melayu. Secondly, this thesis
attempts to present a systematised structure of the ceremonies.
This is to facilitate examination, leading to a consideration
of those customs which are specific to the court and which
contribute to the central and pre-eminent role of the king.
The thesis is presented in three parts. Part One deals
with the importance of the Adat Raja-raja Melayu, seen from a
sociological and historical point of view. There are various
works which include reference to Malay royal customs and
traditions. In the Adat Raja-raja Melayu, however, the whole of
the text is devoted to traditional customs and ceremonies in
Malay courts. As the Adat Raja-raja Melayu has come down to us
in a considerable number of versions, this part of the thesis
includes a discussion on the origin of the text, the variant
versions and their inter-relationship.
Part Two presents a critical edition of the text,
preceded by a discussion on the language of the MSS and an
explanation on the principles of the text edition.
Part Three presents a systematic summary of the
ceremonies described, followed by an examination of each of
them. Considerable attention has been given to details of the
ceremonies which involve royalty and the king
