Bunga mas
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A golden tree, part of the bunga mas for the Thai court
The bunga mas dan perak (lit. "golden and silver flowers"), often abbreviated to bunga mas (Jawi: بوڠا مس "golden flowers"), was a tribute sent every three years to the king of Siam from its vassal states in the Malay Peninsula, in particular, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and the Patani Kingdom. The tribute consisted of two small trees made of gold and silver, plus costly gifts of weapons, goods and slaves. [1]
There are several supposed origins of and reasons for the establishment of the tradition:
- 17th-century Kedah rulers considered it to be a token of friendship.
- According to a Kedah legend, a bunga mas was sent as a toy for a Thai prince.
- 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]
See also
References
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