Malays in the Indochinese Peninsula: Adventurers, Warlords and Ministers

Abstract:Malays featured prominently in the politico-military affairs of Mainland Southeast Asia during the 18th and 19th centuries, in part because of their expert understanding of the power dynamics of the region. Vietnamese official records and Cam historical narratives show the role Malays played in the conflicts that tore through the region, but a detailed examination of these sources raises new questions regarding the origins of these Malay figures and their intentions. This study of the Malay Diaspora in the Indochinese Peninsula as seen through vernacular accounts goes beyond nationalist stereotypes and expands understandings of the dynamics of inter-ethnic associations in Southeast Asia.