Admiral Zheng He and the Sultan of Malacca
by Zhi'ang Chen

In the early 15th century, the Emperor of China appointed Admiral Zheng He as an envoy, commanding a majestic fleet of trade ships, to make contact with and establish trade relationships with various kingdoms from South Asia all the way to Africa. In particular, the fleet's sojourn in the Sultanate of Malacca, an integral part of the Spice Routes, marked the first encounter between Chinese and Malayan heritages. Their confluence eventually produced the rich interwoven tapestry that is the unique Peranakan/Nonya culture, whose influence can be felt in Southeast Asia, including in Singapore, to this day. (Malacca (Malaysia))

Artist Statement
For this composition, I created an olfactory interpretation of the meeting between the Admiral and the Sultan, with the Admiral presenting chests brimming with patchouli-infused silks as well as fragrant jasmine and osmanthus oolong teas as gifts to the Sultan, and the Sultan offering burlap sacks overflowing with precious cloves and pepper as tribute to the Emperor. This is juxtaposed against notes of sea spray and ambergris representing the Admiral's lengthy southbound voyage, as well as ylang-ylang and jackfruit - both native to Malacca - to add a uniquely local twist to the composition.

Watch Zhi’ang Chen talk about Admiral Zheng He and the Sultan of Malacca