ABSTRACT
The Sejarah Melayu may lack historical accuracy in terms of exact chronology, but they are an excellent description of the social mores of all levels of people in Malacca from the fifteenth century to the early seventeenth century. Below is an account of the protocol at the Malacca court, which set the pattern for the courts of the other Malay rajas (sultans) on the Malay Peninsula. Although the Malacca court was opulent, its prosperity depended on at least four diverse communities—Chinese, Javanese, Bengalis, and Gujaratis—who traded at this greatest emporium in Southeast Asia. Even after Malacca's conversion to Islam, the Hindu ceremonies associated with coronation, installation of high officials, and recognition of foreign envoys were practiced by the Muslim rulers for centuries. Foreign envoys, even those from Rekan, were given robes of honor on departure, as were our own envoys when departing on a mission.
