Persian Cosmopolis
PERSIAN PRESENCE AND INFLUENCES IN THE MALAY WORLD In collecting textiles of the Malay world I have noticed a strong presence of Persian influence on Malay textiles in terms of the various patterns and clothing styles. My search to confirm this influence has led to many discoveries of the early Persian presence and their influences in the Malay World. As early as the 7th century we learn from Chinese texts that the boat that took the Chinese pilgrim I-Tsing from Canton to Wijaya and into Melayu in Jambi, Southeast Sumatra, was owned by a Persian. The early presence of Persians in Southeast Asia, such as in places like Bujang Valley in Kedah, Funan, Ayutthaya, Sri Mahosot, and the philippines, have been recorded through archaeological evidence left behind from Persian traders that traveled through the area on their way to trade in China. One of the major pieces of evidence that such trade indeed occurred was the Belitung shipwreck of an Arab-Persian vessel that contained thousands of 9t...