WANG DAYUAN : HIS BOOK ABOUT LANGKASUKA

In his 1349 work Daoyi Zhilue (岛夷志略), the traveler Wang Dayuan uses the name Long-ya-xi-jiao (龍牙犀角) to refer to the ancient kingdom of Langkasuka.

Wang Dayuan was a merchant-adventurer from Quanzhou who made two major sea voyages during the Yuan Dynasty, visiting over 100 locations across Southeast Asia, India, and as far as East Africa. His accounts are highly valued by historians because they provide a rare, first-hand "trader's eye" view of these regions before the Ming voyages of Zheng He.

Key Details from the Daoyi Zhilue

According to Wang's records, here is what we know about Langkasuka (Long-ya-xi-jiao) during the 14th century:

• Toponymy: The name "Long-ya-xi-jiao" (literally "Dragon's Tooth Rhinoceros Horn") is believed to be a phonetic transcription or a descriptive Chinese name for the region. By the Ming Dynasty, the name evolved in Chinese records to Lang-xi-jia (狼西加).
• Geography: It was located on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula (modern-day Patani, Thailand). Wang describes it as being situated near high mountains and having a climate that was consistently warm.
• Lifestyle & Economy:
• Resources: The region was known for producing hornbill casques (highly prized for carving), lakawood, honey, and gharuwood (incense wood).
• Customs: Wang noted that the locals made salt by boiling seawater and brewed rice wine.
• Trade: He observed that the people wore a mix of local cotton and imported printed cloth from India, indicating Langkasuka's role as a node in the maritime trade network.

Historical Context

Langkasuka was one of the oldest kingdoms in Southeast Asia, dating back to at least the 2nd century AD. By the time Wang Dayuan visited in the 1330s, the kingdom had survived for over a millennium but was likely coming under the influence of the rising Siam (Sukhothai/Ayutthaya) to the north or the Majapahit to the south.

DESCRIPTION OF LANGKASUKA

In his 1349 work Daoyi Zhilue (岛夷志略), Wang Dayuan provides a detailed account of Langkasuka, which he refers to as Long-ya-xi-jiao (龍牙犀角). His description offers a unique look into the kingdom’s geography, economy, and culture during the 14th century.

Geography and Landscape

Wang describes the kingdom as being located in a strategically important area on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. He notes that the landscape was dominated by high, rugged mountains and that the climate was consistently warm, typical of the tropical region.

People and Culture

Wang Dayuan’s observations on the local population include:

• Appearance and Dress: He noted that both men and women wore their hair in a knot and wrapped themselves in a type of printed cotton cloth, often imported from India.
• Diet and Lifestyle: The locals produced salt by boiling seawater and brewed a type of rice wine. He also mentioned that the people were generally honest and simple in their dealings.

Trade and Economy

As a merchant-traveler, Wang was particularly interested in the region's resources. He identified Langkasuka as a key source for several valuable commodities:

• Gharuwood (Incense Wood): Highly sought after for its fragrance and medicinal properties.
• Lakawood: A fragrant wood used in incense and dyes.
• Hornbill Casques: Often referred to as "ho-ting" in Chinese records, these were used for intricate carvings and were highly prized in the Chinese imperial court.
• Honey and Beeswax: Other significant local exports he documented.

Historical Significance

Wang’s account is crucial because it captures Langkasuka during a period of transition. By the mid-14th century, the ancient kingdom (which had existed since the 2nd century) was beginning to decline as a regional power, eventually being absorbed or overshadowed by the rising Siamese and Majapahit empires. His use of the name Long-ya-xi-jiao is also a key linguistic link for historians identifying the site of the ancient kingdom in modern-day Patani, Thailand.

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12 January 2026a; 9.52 p.m