ARTS AND CULTURE INFORMATION GATEWAY
Immerse yourself in the colorful world of art and culture! From traditional heritage to contemporary works, discover uniqueness that reflects the nation's identity and identity
PESTA PUJA PANTAI
Picture
1
Video
No record
Today's Visitor
5
Number of Visitors
65
Introduction and history
Puja Pantai is a ritual or ceremony held for spirits believed to guard the sea, with the purpose of preventing them from disturbing fishermen's lives and ensuring abundant blessings. Puja Pantai originates from animistic beliefs, predating the arrival of Islam in the region. During that time, the Malay community believed in the power of natural forces and spirits governing elements such as the sea, forests, and mountains. The sea was seen as an entity possessing a spirit or supernatural beings, and Puja Pantai was perceived as a way to honor and seek protection from them. This also reflects how the ancient Malay community depended entirely on nature, particularly the sea, for their daily lives.
This practice was carried out by fishing communities along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, especially in Kelantan and Terengganu. Puja Pantai was usually performed every two or three years when signs of disturbances from sea spirits affected the lives of fishermen and farmers. The fishermen would gather and agree to hold the ceremony whenever someone experienced signs of impending disaster. The ceremony was led by a bomoh (shaman) or pawang (medicine man) who was believed to communicate with the sea spirits.
Each element of the Puja Pantai ritual carries deep symbolism:
White Buffalo: In Malay culture, the buffalo is often seen as a symbol of strength and sacrifice. The sacrifice of a white buffalo during the ritual symbolizes the human effort to offer something valuable and sacred to the spirits.
Pulut Kuning (Yellow Glutinous Rice): Traditionally used in various ceremonies, it symbolizes gratitude, prosperity, and blessings.
Pavilion on a Raft: The construction of the pavilion and floating it out to sea symbolizes a gesture of surrender or returning something to nature, with the hope that the sea spirits will no longer disturb the fishermen.
The Puja Pantai ceremony is intended to ensure that sea spirits do not disturb the lives of fishermen and to bring abundant blessings.
White Buffalo: A crucial part of the ritual as the sacrificial animal.
Traditional ceremonial tools: Items such as offerings and ritual materials, including yellow glutinous rice, eggs, betel leaves, areca nuts, and tepung tawar (blessing powder).
Duration and Activities:
For a small-scale ceremony, Puja Pantai lasts for three days and three nights, while large-scale rituals may extend to seven days and seven nights.
During this period, fishermen refrain from going out to sea and instead hold various entertainment performances on the beach.
Nighttime performances include wayang kulit (shadow puppetry), makyung (traditional theater), main peteri, menora (Thai-inspired dance), and dikir barat (traditional choral singing), while daytime activities include spinning tops (gasing) and kite-flying (wau). These entertainments are meant to please the sea spirits believed to come ashore during this time.
Climactic Ritual:
The highlight of Puja Pantai occurs on the final night, where wayang kulit and games continue until dawn.
On the final morning, a white buffalo is sacrificed. Parts of the buffalo, along with yellow glutinous rice, eggs, betel leaves, areca nuts, and blessing powder, are placed on a pavilion constructed on a beautifully decorated raft.
Invocation and Offering:
The bomoh recites various incantations to summon the sea spirits and request them not to disturb the fishermen anymore.
The pavilion is then taken to the middle of the sea by boat and released as an offering to the spirits.
Post-Ceremony Observance:
After the ritual is completed, fishermen are prohibited from going to sea for three days.
They hope that life will return to normal after the ceremony.
Reference Source
Bahan Bacaan
(1999). Ensiklopedia sejarah dan kebudayaan Melayu. Kuala Lumpur : Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
Tokoh (jika ada temu bual tokoh)
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Puan Nor Sahlina Aida bt Mohd Shah
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara Terengganu
Kompleks JKKN Terengganu
Kuala Ibai,
20400, Kuala Terengganu,
TERENGGANU DARUL IMAN
09-617 8831
