Welcome to HERstory, the history of Southeast Asia, told from her perspective. We’ll discover historical figures, matriarchal societies, and contemporary female icons — and maybe learn about ourselves along the way. Season 1 focuses on the Southeast Asian age of commerce up to the colonial period.
This is part of two of us revisiting the Minangkabau matrilineal society. In the previous episode, we talked about Ruhana Kuddus, Indonesia’s First Female Journalist. In this episode, we’re going to talk about Soenting Melajoe, the pioneering indigenous women's newspaper published from 1912-1921 in the Minangkabau community in West Sumatra.
Research and writing for this episode was in collaboration with Joanna Que, with additional research from AJ Miras-Guevarra.
If you haven’t listened to episode 25 yet, go check that out first as we’ll be referencing that here.
Thank you to our patrons: Geraineon, Lawrence, Beverly, Xiaomei by Milish, Jennifer, Christina, Raymond, Matt, Ashley, Asha, Chanda, and Yati.
For more HERstory Southeast Asia, head on over to Patreon for the bonus episodes:
- An interview with Haldi Patra on the Minangkabau matriarchal society;
- Ma Ying Taphan and the Krom Klone;
- Nyai Gede Pinateh, the Harbour Master of Gresik;
- Queen Suriyothai and the War Elephants;
- Paz Marquez Benitez and Dead Stars;
- The Rise and Fall of the Acehnese Queens, 1641 to 1699;
- The Portrait of Dara Rasami;
- The Women of No. 14 Lebuh Leith; and
- Burmese journalists Ludu Daw Amar and Ma Ma Lay (Upcoming)
Along with the bonus episodes, you get access to full scripts and reference materials.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @herstoryseapod. That’s herstory S-E-A pod. This podcast was hosted and edited by Agas Ramirez.
Tracks:
- Goddess of War – Unicorn Heads
- Song of Sadhana – Jesse Gallagher
- Hello 6am – Mylar Melodies
- Shameless Life Wisdom Sendoff – pATCHES
In this episode, we’ll examine the Burmese Women of the Khit Kala, the women of the times, the “It girls” of colonial Burma. Beginning in the 1920s, they were seen in magazines, advertisements, and newspapers, a clear and controversial symbol of change that mirrors what other women went through in the Southeast Asian colonial period.
Thank you to our patrons: Yati, Charlie, Shereen, Matt, Raymond, Christina, Jennifer, Xiaomei by Milish, Beverly, Lawrence, and Airene. Airene joined the Patreon just last month so welcome and I hope you’re enjoying the additional content especially the bonus episodes! We have:
An interview with Haldi Patra on the Minangkabau matriarchal society;
- Ma Ying Taphan and the Krom Klone;
- Nyai Gede Pinateh, the Harbour Master of Gresik;
- Queen Suriyothai and the War Elephants;
- Paz Marquez Benitez and Dead Stars;
- The Rise and Fall of the Acehnese Queens, 1641 to 1699;
- The Portrait of Dara Rasami; and
- The Women of No. 14 Lebuh Leith
If you want to join the Patreon, you can give as little as $1 to get a copy of the show notes with all the references, a shout out at the end of the next episode, and of course access to the bonus
Cover Photo: Two girls in new fashions at the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, 1947. Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Tracks:
- Goddess of War – Unicorn Heads
- 1940’s Slow Dance – Doug Maxwell_Media Right Productions
- Soothsayer – John Patitucci
