GENDER RELATIONS IN TRADITIONAL SOCIETY BASED ON HIKAYAT PATANI

This research tends to discuss on gender relations in the Hikayat Patani (The annals of Patani). The purpose of this research is to identify patterns of gender relations in the Hikayat Patani and analyze the role and position of women in traditional society. This is because the traditional Malay society views women with stereotypical traits or sendeng gender and shall only be granted a role in domestic space (the kitchen). However, the Hikayat Patani has denied this by highlighting some of those women as ruler in the land of Patani. In such case, this research will be able to highlight the role and position of gender in the traditional Malay society particularly Patani Malay community. The results show that ‘sendeng gender’ or gender bias still exist although women have become leaders or kings in the social system. However, women s role as a leader has been able to highlight their potential as capable as men in public space.