Pre - Colonial Southeast Asia

1
Pre - Colonial Southeast Asia

• Part II Trade
• 1450 - 1680

2
High Value Spices

• Pepper - Malabar

• Clove - Moluccas
• Nutmeg Banda

3
Other Trade

• Sugar
• Benzoin
• Deer Skins
• Sappanwood
• Sandalwood
• Musk
• Camphor
• Lacquer

• Cotton
• Silver
• Currency
• Later
• Tin
• Rubber
• Coffee
• Oil

4
Entrepots

• Convenient third country ports serving as point
  of exchange.
• Malacca
• Manila
• Fai Fo/Hoi An

5
Cycle of Trade

• The cycle of trade was dictated by the monsoon
  winds.
• April August Winds from the Southwest toward
  Asian mainland.
• December - March Winds from the Northeast
  toward the Indian Ocean.

6
Shipping

• The prahu was the principal local trade vehicle.
• Constructed using dowels and joinery no nails.
• Pointed stem and stern, oarlock quarter rudders
  latten rigged triangular sails.
• Carried 4 to 40 tons.
• Enlarged to become SEAsian junk in 1500s.
• Three masts square rigged.
• Iron nails and clamps supplemented dowels and
  joinery.
• Average capacity 400 500 tons max of 1,000
  tons.

7
Prahu/Prau
8
Chinese Junk
9
Navigation

• Sailing with reference to shore line.
• Compass.
• Knowledge of winds and currents.
• Rutters
• Early maps and charts

10
Inland Transportation

• Rivers used extensively for inland
  transportation.
• Chao Phraya, Mekong Irrawaddy
• Cities frequently built where rivers ceased to be
  navigable.
• Mekong Pnompenh, Savannakhet Vientiane
• Chao Phraya Ayutthaya and Bangkok
• Cape Fear Fayetteville.
• Overland transportation was extremely difficult.
• Condition of roads and bridges Banditry
• Ox carts and pack animals

11
Cities

• Growth of cities tied to trade boom.
• Cities frequently followed Chinese checker board
  pattern.
• Surrounded by walls and gates oriented South.
• Center reserved for harem, retainers, horses
  elephants.
• Major streets were 20-30 ft. wide, paved ran in
  straight lines across the city.
• Wood construction meant fire was a serious
  threat.

12
Orangkaya

• Commonly defined as rich man.
• Applied to indigenous aristocracy, merchant
  elite, foreign merchants, descendents of foreign
  merchants merchant-officials.
• Functioned under local rulers patronage.
• Status marked by elaborate attire and a retinue
  of at least one slave to carry his sword and
  attend his needs.
• A high degree of social mobility existed.

13
Chinese Influence

• Impact of Mongol Yuan and Ming expeditions, e.g.,
  Cheng Ho.
• Tribute system.
• Pilgrimage to Chinese capital-Peking/Nanking.
• Audience and confirmation of rulers status.
• Awarded badges of office official seal and
  yellow umbrella.
• Privilege of trade.
• Major beneficiaries Ayutthaya and Malacca

14
European Impact

• Begins with Portuguese in 1509.
• Waning of Chinese interest and influence.
• Proliferation of trade and ports.
• Pegu
• Arakan
• Luang Prabang, Vientiane Nakhon Phanom in Laos.
• Hoi An
• Patani
• Aceh
• Banten
• Makassar
• Jambi Palembang

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Questions

• What dictated the cycle of trade?
• What was the name given to local sailing vessels?
• Which was considered better land or water
  transportation? Why?
• What title was given to wealthy local traders?
• Who was Cheng Ho?
• The impact of European discovery occurred just as
  the influence of the what country began to fade?
• What was the principal stimulus for the growth of
  cities?

16
More Questions

• Navigation was accomplished by reference to the
  shore (when possible) and sailing instructions
  called ______.
• What were the major spices sought by European
  traders?
• How were traditional prahus held together?
• What factors favored the construction of port
  cities inland on major rivers?

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The End