Arts and Culture Category

Arts and Culture Category encompass various forms of expression that reflect the beauty and uniqueness of a community, such as performing arts—including dance, music, and theatre; visual arts like painting and sculpture; traditional food passed down through generations; customs and traditions that deepen our understanding of religious ceremonies and ways of life; and traditional attire that symbolizes identity and decorum in formal events. Performing arts such as Wayang Kulit, Gamelan, and Zapin dance reflect the noble values of local communities, while visual arts involving traditional painting and carving are often closely linked to symbolism and beliefs in that culture. Traditional food is not just about taste, it also reflects history and cultural journeys, with dishes like nasi lemak, rendang, and laksa often served during festive occasions.

Moreover, customs and traditions in Malaysian society play a role in strengthening family and community bonds, such as Malay wedding customs, Hindu religious ceremonies, and harvest festivals of the Kadazan-Dusun community. Traditional attire, such as Baju Kurung, Baju Melayu, and the traditional dress of indigenous groups, showcases the beauty of textiles and designs passed down through generations. All these elements are not only vital in preserving cultural heritage, but also enrich the nation’s cultural diversity and foster love and appreciation for the arts among the younger generation, ultimately positioning arts and culture as a unifying identity that connects all levels of society to their history and heritage.

Performing Arts

Performing Arts

Performing arts encompass various forms of artistic expression presented live before an audience, including dance, music, theatre, and wayang kulit (shadow puppetry). They play an important role in conveying folklore, history, moral values, and the beliefs of a community. These performances serve not only as entertainment but also as a medium for education and the preservation of cultural heritage. In traditional contexts, performing arts are often associated with religious ceremonies, festivals, and customary events that showcase the uniqueness of a culture. For example, traditional dances such as Mak Yong and Zapin reflect not only the beauty of movement and costume but also incorporate rich narrative and symbolic elements. Traditional music like gamelan and angklung demonstrates the refinement of musical art and its significance in accompanying various cultural events. Traditional theatre, such as bangsawan and wayang kulit, combines acting, music, and oratory to present epic tales, myths, and historical narratives of the community. As time progresses, performing arts have also evolved and adapted into modern forms without losing their traditional values. The importance of performing arts lies not only in their aesthetic value but also in fostering unity and national identity. Therefore, efforts to preserve and promote performing arts must continue so that they remain appreciated by current and future generations.

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Traditional Cuisines

Traditional Cuisines

Traditional food refers to heritage dishes that include a variety of main courses, desserts, and beverages passed down through generations of various ethnic groups, preserved through inherited recipes.

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Customs

Customs

Customs and traditions refer to the practices, rules, and procedures passed down through generations within a community, aimed at shaping social norms and strengthening communal bonds. They cover various aspects of life such as birth, marriage, death, festivals, and everyday etiquette. In Malay culture, for instance, marriage customs like circumcision ceremonies (berkhatan), henna rituals (berinai), and wedding receptions (bersanding) reflect traditional values inherited from ancestors. Additionally, practices such as greeting elders, showing respect to the elderly, and communal work (gotong-royong) highlight the values of politeness and togetherness within the society. Customs and traditions are not merely habitual practices but are also a reflection of a community’s cultural identity. Although some practices have evolved over time, the noble values within these traditions remain essential to preserve in order to ensure cultural heritage is not lost to modernisation.

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Traditional Games

Traditional Games

Traditional games consist of various types of games played by both children and adults in earlier generations. These games were commonly played in different settings, like at home, such as Ting-Ting (hopscotch) in the yard or Congkak indoors; and in open areas like courts, fields, rivers, and beaches with games such as Wau (kite flying), Gasing (top spinning), Tiang Licin (greasy pole), Perahu Jong (mini sailboat), and others.

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Local Arts And Culture Prominent Figures

Local Arts And Culture Prominent Figures

Local Arts and Culture Figures are experts or specialists in a particular field in which they have long been involved. These individuals have received recognition and are regarded as key references in the field of local arts and culture. They have also guided associations or organizations in specific areas to continue preserving and promoting traditional cultural arts and heritage.

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Traditional Costume

Traditional Costume

Traditional attire refers to the style and etiquette of dressing practiced by various ethnic communities. Traditional clothing carries specific characteristics that symbolize or represent the identity of a community, often based on religious beliefs, customs, and daily activities.

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Summary of Arts and Culture Categories

Arts and culture are divided into several main categories, including performing arts such as Wayang Kulit and Dikir Barat; musical arts, which include traditional instruments like Gamelan; dance arts, such as Mak Yong and Zapin; craft arts, including Batik and Wau Bulan; visual arts, involving painting and textile art; literary arts, such as Hikayat and Pantun; and carving arts, which can be seen in traditional Malay houses. The National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) plays a vital role in preserving, promoting, and developing these cultural arts so they continue to be appreciated by future generations.

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