Bunga mas

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A golden tree for bunga mas

The bunga mas dan perak (Jawi: بوڠا مس ; translates as "golden and silver flowers"), often abbreviated to bunga mas, was a tribute sent every three years to the King of Siam from its vassal states in the Malay Peninsula - in particular, by Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Pattani. The tribute consisted of two small trees made of gold and silver, plus costly gifts of weapons, goods and slaves. [1]

The origins of and reasons for the establishment of the tradition are unclear. For example, the 17th century Kedah rulers considered it to be a token of friendship, and according to a Kedah legend a bunga mas was sent as a toy for a Thai prince, while Thai kings maintained it was a recognition of their suzerainty.[1]

The practice ended in 1909 with the establishment of the British rule in most of the northern Malay states.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Leonard Y. Andaya, Barbara Watson Andaya (1984) "A History of Malaysia", SBN 0312381212, pp.65-68
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