Suara Melati (“The Sound of Jasmine”) recounts a story of fragrance and collective memory within maritime Southeast Asia and its contradistinction with its European counterpart. The work reflects fears and superstitions surrounding settlers, kidnapping, and sexual violence in ancient civilisations, primarily in Indonesia; fragrance, particularly that of jasmine, presents itself as a bad omen across several Southeast Asian islands, while simultaneously being a symbol of beauty, elegance, and pleasure upon its arrival in Europe in the 15th century. 

Suara Melati finds its roots in the tale of kuntilanak (pontianak in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam), a vengeful spirit of a vampiric woman who died at or before childbirth. She is a long black haired woman dressed fully in white who lives deep within the bamboo forests of ‘the islands’ (Nusantara ꦤꦸꦱꦤꦫ) or among Weeping Fig trees. Javanese women, outside beyond curfew must carry a sharp pair of scissors for protection; babies are put to bed next to kitchen knives. 

Signs a kuntilanak is present is the sweet aroma of jasmine following you on the night of a full moon.