Bees nest in a bamboo thicket,
With every sweetness brimming;
Ten fingers framed in homage lifted,
Sirih in a tepak do I extend in greeting.
High are the hills that gloriously glimmer,
At sea the waters are peacefully calming;
Thy deeds and virtues will indeed never wither,
Forever in memory cherished and abiding.
Azah Aziz: Quintessential Custodian of Malay Culture
Portrait of Azah Aziz.
Azah Aziz at about aged 10 with her mother (seated at the far right) at the Domestic Science School in Johore Bahru ca 1930s.
Azah Aziz (1928–2012), lovingly known as Tita to her family, was a remarkable force whose impact transcended her many roles. As a journalist, children’s author, women’s rights
advocate, and cultural custodian, Azah seamlessly intertwined these identities into a life marked by unwavering commitment to both heritage and progress. Her narrative is one of brilliance, deeply influenced by her lineage and significant partnerships, particularly with her mother, Azizah Jaafar, and her husband, Royal Professor Ungku Aziz. Under the guiding light of her mother, Azah’s journey evolved into a vibrant mosaic of learning, advocacy, and cultural preservation.
Born into a distinguished family in Johor, Azah was shaped by the formidable presence of her mother, Azizah Jaafar (1898–1974), a pioneer in education. Azizah’s groundbreaking establishment of the first Domestic Science Studies boarding school for rural women exemplified her belief in education as a vehicle for empowerment. This vision was instilled in Azah alongside practical skills like knitting and sewing. Her mother’s collection of rare Malay textiles ignited Azah’s lifelong passion for traditional attire, laying the groundwork for her future endeavours as a champion of cultural identity.
Azah an active member of the Girl Guides.
Despite interruptions to her education during World War II, Azah’s thirst for knowledge remained unquenched. In 1946, she married Ungku Aziz (1922–2020), an eminent and world-
renowned economist who shared her fervour for the arts, language, and Malay heritage. Their marriage was not just a union; it was a profound partnership—a fusion of intellect and tradition dedicated to nurturing Malaysia’s cultural essence.
A pivotal chapter in Azah’s intellectual evolution unfolded through her association with Zainal Abidin Ahmad (1895–1973), affectionately known as Za’ba, and revered as the Pendeta Melayu (Malay Sage). Azah agreed to work as Za’ba’s assistant at the Malay Studies Department of the University of Malaya in Singapore on condition that she would be allowed to attend his lectures. Za’ba agreed; and so, for four years, Azah immersed herself in the great scholar’s lectures on classical and modern Malay literature. Under his guidance, she cultivated a profound appreciation for the beauty and intricacies of the Malay language, solidifying her commitment to safeguarding its literary heritage.
Azah playing the piano while her mother is listening on.
With journalists. To her left, artist Ibrahim Hussein. To her right, journalist Zaharah Nawawi, who wrote Azah’s biography, Kartika di Langit Seni.
Marriage to Ungku Aziz in 1946 in Johore Bahru.
Five journalists about to board a flight to London for a month-long program.
Teachers and school children visit the newspaper office. Azah sits at her desk with her typewriter.
After working with Za’ba, Azah embarked on an illustrious career as a journalist, writing and editing for major newspapers including Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia. Over nearly four decades, she masterfully blended incisive analysis with heartfelt storytelling, addressing societal challenges and cultural explorations alike. Her travels and keen observations enriched her columns with vivid detail, inviting readers into her world as she engaged with world figures such as Indira Gandhi, Muhammad Ali, and Valentina Tereshkova—the first woman cosmonaut. She was also instrumental in encouraging local talent and was one of the early champions of Malaysia’s now legendary cartoonist Lat. Wielding her pen as her weapon, Azah pursued truth, justice, and a broader understanding of our world. She was unafraid to write about difficult subjects, which at times upset the sensibilities of certain readers.
Her advocacy for women’s rights was both fearless and transformative. Azah fought for wage equality, reforms in Muslim family law, and separate taxation for working wives. She co-founded pioneering organizations such as the Persatuan Tindakan Wanita Islam (PERTIWI), the Persatuan Wartawan Wanita Malaysia (PERTAMA), and the Persatuan Penulis Nasional Malaysia (PENA), breaking barriers at a time when women’s voices struggled to be heard. Her work served as an inspiring rallying cry for countless women to embrace their power.
At the University of Pennsylvania Campus in 1974 with her daughter Zeti.
Frequent speaker at wide-ranging events including in the region.
Portrait of Azah Aziz in her 30s taken in the 1960s.
Azah Aziz and her husband, Prof. Ungku Aziz, featured in articles in Nya Pressen, a Swedish newspaper, during their visit to Helsinki in the 1950s.
Yet, Azah’s most profound devotion lay in her role as a cultural custodian. Revered as a Tokoh Budayawan Melayu (Malay Cultural Icon), she dedicated her life to preserving the richness of Malay traditions. Her work on Malay textiles, weaving, and traditional attire was meticulous and groundbreaking, culminating in her seminal book Rupa dan Gaya: Busana Melayu (2006), now translated as Malay Textiles and Costumes: Form and Style. This masterpiece remains a touchstone for scholars and enthusiasts of Malay heritage the world over.
Azah Aziz’s personal collection of 240 exquisite Malay textiles and costumes, alongside 69 pieces of traditional jewellery, was recently gifted to the Merdeka Textile Museum. This bestowment ensures that Azah’s efforts to preserve this vital aspect of Malaysia’s cultural identity continue to inspire future generations.
Azah’s passion extended beyond scholarly pursuits; she helped revitalise the arts of weaving, songket and limar-making, embroidery, and telepuk (gilded patterned textiles) while tirelessly advocating for their significance within Malaysia’s cultural identity. Her promotion of pantun—a lyrical form of Malay poetry—underscored her belief that intangible traditions are just as vital as tangible ones. For Azah, these traditions and practices were not mere relics of the past but living expressions of shared identity that could thrive in the present.
Ibu Azizah Jaafar —working at her desk was her major source of inspiration.
A ship weighs upon the ocean froth,
Along the coast its rudder’s shorn;
My beloved is like fine cindai cloth,
In defeat acquired, in victory worn.
Abrus pips are speckled,
Saga seeds are red;
Virtue lies in noble deeds,
Beauty lies in language said.
Portrait of Azah Aziz taken by Muzium Negeri Pahang (Pahang State Museum) in 2005.
Her writings for children were equally impactful. Through her enchanting stories filled with Malay nursery rhymes and folklore, Azah instilled values that resonated with young readers. She believed that heritage should not merely be remembered but actively lived and passed on, a philosophy reflected in every word she wrote.
Azah Aziz was more than a chronicler of culture; she was its spirited defender. Her journalism wasn’t just a career—it was a clarion call for change, her pen cutting through apathy with courage and grace. Her dedication to Malay textiles was not merely scholarly; it was an act of devotion, preserving beauty and meaning for future generations. Azah’s legacy is a living one, carried forward by those who see in her work an invitation to honour the past while shaping the future.
She left behind not just a collection of writings and artefacts but an enduring spirit of curiosity, tenacity, and pride in heritage. Azah’s story beckons us to look deeper, to cherish what we inherit, and to weave our own threads into the fabric of Malaysia’s cultural narrative—a legacy both timeless and alive.
Velvet cloth and textiles from Makassar,
Whose delicate fineness remains unmatched;
Therein lie honeyed seas and rivers of sugar,
Wherein this thirst yearns to be quenched.
