What is the likelihood that the Allegations that claim Hang Tuah was Chinese are true?

RESOURCE: QUORA.COM

By Yusrin Faidz Yusoff

Don't just rely on Hikayat Hang Tuah and Sejarah Melayu for this for they are both historical literature and not historical text. One should cross refer these secondary sources with Ming Shi-Lu (MSL). MSL contains the imperial annals of the Ming emperors (1368–1644). It is the single largest historical source for the dynasty and used as a primary source for the compilation of the Mingshi (History of Ming).

From MSL, there is no reference of "Hang Tuah" or even "Hang" for that matter. This is because “Hang Tuah” is only a nickname given by Sultan Mansur Shah to Daeng Mempawah who later became a Laksamana DiRaja in at least 2 versions of the Sejarah Melayu. Further, even if his real name was Hang Tuah, it would not be revealed in Ming's records as he would only be referred by his title i.e. Laksamana.

From the available sources, they were possibly 3 Laksamanas whose tales and stories became the legend of "Hang Tuah". They were as follows:-

1) Laksamana 'Wei-zhe-ran-na' (微者然那), a fan [foreign] person, who led Malacca's tribute envoy to China in 1469 during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah. (MSL: ‘蘇丹茫速沙’ / Su-dan Mang-su Sha). Note: His name (Wei-zhe-ran-na) was revealed by the Laksamana who came to China in 1481.

Clues:

(a) His title "Duan-ya-ma-la-di-na-da" (端亞媽剌的那大) in MSL which is a transliteration of 'Tuan Laksamana Di Raja';

(b) record of his untimely death in Annam (Vietnam) in 1469 can only be found in MSL;

2) The Laksamana who led Malacca's tribute envoy to China in 1481 during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah (source: MSL).

Clues:

(a) "Duan-ya-ma-la-di-na-zha" ( 端亞媽剌的那查) in MSL which is a transliteration of 'Tuan Laksamana DiRaja';

(b) Laksamana Daeng Mempawah as referred to in at least 2 versions of Sejarah Melayu fits the time frame;

(c) the eloquent and diplomatic characteristics of the Laksamana referred to in the 1481 visit to China (MSL) is reflected in the tribute & diplomatic exchanges between the Sultanate of Malacca and Ryukyuan Kingdom around 1480-81 (as recorded in Ryukyu’s History i.e. Rekidai Hoan).

(d) the same Laksamana probably visited China again in 1508 & 1510 during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Shah, but this time he was referred to as “Duan Ya-zhi” (端亞智) (MSL: Tuan Haji) possibly after his trip to Mecca in 1482, and possibly after handing over the post to Laksamana Khoja Hasan.

3) Laksamana Hang Nadim (Source: Sejarah Melayu). Clue of overlapping identity: Sejarah Melayu recorded that it was Laksamana Hang Nadim who 'kidnapped' Tun Teja and battled Pahang's chase at Pulau Keban (now Pulau Aceh). According to Hikayat Hang Tuah, it was Hang Tuah who pursuaded Tun Teja to elope to Malacca.

Records in MSL pertaining to the visit of the two Laksamanas in 1469 and 1481, as well as Duan Ya-zhi (MSL: Tuan Haji)’s visit in 1508 and 1510 indicates they were described as fan [foreign] people and not marked as "Chinese affliation". Therefore, "Hang Tuah" or the Malaccan Laksamanas who possibly represent the alter ego "Hang Tuah" in Hikayat Hang Tuah and Sejarah Melayu did not originate from Ming China.

There were however 3 Chinese Ming officials who were appointed to represent and lead the Malaccan tribute envoys to China. They were specifically recorded with "Chinese affiliation" in MSL and I reproduce their names as follows:-

1) Wu-bao-chi-na (巫寶赤納) (MSL: 1431). Although the name translates to “Treasure Wizard of China”, MSL classifies the person as affiliated to Ming China;

2) Nai Ai (柰靄) (MSL: 1456). He was recorded to have committed rape in Guangdong and subsequently committed suicide;

3) Huo-zhe Ya-liu (火者亞劉) (Haji Ya-liu) (MSL: 1509 & 1510) originally named Xiao Ming-ju (蕭明舉) from Jiang-xi who was an interpreter for Duan Ya-zhi (Tuan Haji) and later worked with the Sultanate of Malacca. Huo-zhe Ya-liu became Malaccan envoy leader for 1509 & 1510. MSL (2.3.1510) recorded that he was involved in a criminal rebellion and was sentenced to death by slow slicing for various crimes including robbing and killing his own employer, Duan Ya-zhi (Tuan Haji) and 20 of his delegates around December 1509 to February 1510.

Sources:

1. The Ming Shi-lu (veritable records of the Ming Dynasty) as a source for Southeast Asian history, 14th to 17th centuries, Geoffrey Wade (1994).
2. Ryukyuan Relations with Korea and South Seas Countries: An Annotated Translation of Documents in the Rekidai Hōan. Kobata, Atsushi and Mitsugu Matsuda (1969).
3. Sejarah Melayu diusahakan oleh W.G. Shellabear, Fajar Bakti, (1978).
4. Hikayat Hang Tuah (The life of Hang Tuah), W.G. Shellabear & Sulaiman bin Muhammed Nur (1908).
5. Hikayat Hang Tuah, selenggaraan Kassim Ahmad (1975).

Copy and paste: 8/2/2021 @ 26 Jamadilakhir 1442H: 11.41 am