Historical Relations between the Chams and the Malays: Sustaining Common Identity, Culture and Ethnicity through Two Millennia of Relations

Abstract

This paper provides a case study to demonstrate how historical linkages could become past precedents for contemporary international relations by looking at the historical relations between the Chams and the Malays. It is evident that in the context of Malaysia-Vietnam relations, there have been in existence for many centuries, a strong bond between the Chams of Vietnam and the Malays of the Malay Peninsula. This paper will attempt to trace the historical relations that have existed between the two people by placing this relationship in the context of four periods. It argues that this relationship, which is still being actively pursued, could best be understood by taking a long view perspective. While doing so, several questions will be explored. This includes the question of how ‘Malay’ were the Chams; and to what extent, religion played a part in cementing the ties between the two people.