This study explores the notion of ethnocentrism in Malay-Dutch war syair, in particular Syair Perang Mengkasar, Syair Peperangan Aceh and Syair Perang

Menteng. Ethnocentrism here refers to an early reaction towards colonial invasion that had existed among the Malays before the onset in the Malay world of colonial rule proper. The study discusses the concept and characteristics of Malay ethnocentrism, and the authors‟ writing strategies to foreground them. It adopts as its conceptual framework William Graham Sumner‟ s definition of ethnocentrism that points to a disposition to regard one‟ s culture as superior to those of others. Coupled with this definition, the study undertakes both intrinsic and extrinsic analyses of the texts studied. Firstly, the intrinsic analysis focuses on language features such as metaphors, comparisons, symbols, and diction, and their qualitative use in the texts to portray the ethnocentrism of the Nusantara Malays. Further, it also examines such concerns as the background to the texts, the themes and issues raised, and the factors that contribute to the texts‟ composition. The extrinsic analysis, on the other hand, locates the texts within the cultural environment that produces them. The study highlights five main factors that characterise Malay ethnocentrism namely the notion of pride and self-worth, the love of one‟ s country, the pledge of loyalty between ruler and the ruled, the spirit of patriotism and Islamic religious fervour. Clearly, religious fervour is the overarching force that initiates, develops, and consolidates ethnocentrism among the various Malay ethnics. Indeed, the five factors highlight archetypal characteristics of Malay society as a whole. From the perspective of writingstyle, the authors foreground fervent ethnocentrism by positioning the Malay ethnic over and above their enemies. The tendency to emphasise their superiority compared to their enemies is clearly a strategy favoured by the authors in order to throw into sharp relief Malay ethnocentrism in the texts studied.