CULTURAL MAPPING PORTAL

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BANGSI DAN NINENG

Bangsi music is a form of musical performance typically played by traditional communities during leisure time, particularly when resting after work. This music is also often played for family entertainment while relaxing together in the living room. In other instances, Bangsi music is played during special ceremonies, such as for healing purposes and at feasts or communal gatherings. The music begins after the community leader or Gawai chief performs the opening ceremony by completing the patik nabur or sadih sanggar and sadih ancak rituals, which involve seeking blessings from spiritual entities. This ceremony accompanies the recitation of chants and mantras to request fortune and, simultaneously, to ward off misfortune and seek protection from the spiritual entity known as Kamang Triyu, ensuring they are safeguarded from evil spirits.<div> </div> ...

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1853

Yi Meng Lion Arts No.4A, Jalan Bp 6/6, Banda...

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ADAT MENITIK MATA SINGA

Menitik Mata Singa literary means nudging the lion’s eyes, sounds rather gruesome, but nor worry, it’s done only in a dance when celebrating Chinese New Year.   The lion puppet of the dance is built with extra-large eyes, and the dancers nudge the eyes.   Not only on the Chinese New Year, the puppet eye nudging is also practised in other events requiring ‘ong’ or luck, such as religious, cultural, housewarming, business officiations and weddings. Other than bringing luck, it is also believed to repel bad luck or disasters that might befall someone or events.  There are two types of lion dances, the Northern Lion (Singa Utara) and Southern Lion (Singa Selatan). In Malaysia, the Southern lion dance is more popular and brings more happiness in gatherings.  The dance is performed to invite the spirit of the lion in order to bring blessing, wealth, health, harmony and happiness.  It is also to ward off evils.  <div> </div> ...

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3063

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SAZAU PAPAR

Sazau is a traditional dance inherited by the Kadazan-Dusun ethnic community from the Papar district, which is mostly inhabited by the Dusun Papar ethnic tribe. The name ‘Sazau’ means ‘dancing’ where this terminology is often associated with words from the act of dancing such as ‘Kasasaazau’ (just dancing), ‘Kasazau’ (able to dance), ‘Kopisazau’ (can dance together), ‘Nakasazau’ (dancing together with), ‘Nokopisazau’ (have danced together with) and ‘Sansazau-Sazau’ (all are dancing) (Kadazan Dusun Malay-English Dictionary, 1995). The history of Sazau is closely linked to the agricultural life and agrarian culture of the Dusun community in the Papar district. This dance is a symbol of a local culture rich in traditional values, reflecting the lifestyle of the community that lives in harmony with the environment. As a sign of favor and gratitude, this dance is performed in all traditional ceremonies, especially in the Madsuwau Ceremony, the Monogit Ceremony and the Gumazad Ceremony. In addition, it is also often performed in traditional festivals and social gatherings. ...

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7581

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TARIAN SENANDUNG

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1616

Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Sabah, ...

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SIA DO BINOIKIAN OM GONOB

The Kadazandusun community in Papar District, Sabah, has traditional dress named “Sia Do Binoikian” or “Sia Do Tinahajaan”, made of cotton or velvet. Normally using velvet called boludu toitom because of the black colour.Previously, it was believed that the Kadazandusun community in Papar just used black cloth and thread to make clothes because of insufficient ingredients unlike the present. Hence, there are differences between a genuine attire and the modern traditional one in terms of decorative accessories and beads. In keeping with modern trend, this traditional attire is added with golden beads to enhance the attire’s glow.  ...

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411

Kampung Setia, 33000 Kuala Kangsar, Perak Darul...

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LAKSA KUALA KANGSAR

Laksa Kuala Kangsar is a traditional dish synonymous with the royal town of Kuala Kangsar in Perak. This dish is renowned for its light yet aromatic gravy, prepared using traditional ingredients passed down through generations. It is a favourite among locals and a major attraction for tourists visiting the town. The uniqueness of Laksa Kuala Kangsar lies in its noodles, which are made from wheat flour and crafted using traditional methods with a distinctive laksa mold. They are then cooked over a wood-fired stove. Paired with gravy made from fresh fish, such as mackerel or sardines, they offer an authentic taste that continues to captivate its enthusiasts. The history of Laksa Kuala Kangsar is believed to trace its origins to the Malay community in the area, where it was traditionally prepared as a local dish. Renowned as a royal town, Kuala Kangsar has long served as a hub for trade and a convenient stopover point, making laksa an ideal meal for locals and visitors. Over time, this dish evolved into a culinary icon that embodies the cultural identity of Kuala Kangsar and the state of Perak. Today, Laksa Kuala Kangsar is widely available at food stalls throughout the town, particularly along the Perak River and in the old town area. This dish symbolises the culinary heritage of the Perak community and acts as a bridge connecting tradition and taste across generations. Consequently, Laksa Kuala Kangsar is recognised as one of the most distinctive symbols of Perak's cuisine, cherished by locals and tourists. ...

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3533

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ARANG TAWAK

Arang Tawak is a traditional dance of the Lundayeh ethnic community, primarily found in the Sipitang district and the interior region of Long Pasia in Sabah. Recognised as a warrior dance, it embodies the bravery and heroic spirit of Lundayeh men in defending their community or triumphing over enemies during intertribal conflicts.The performance begins with the resonant sound of gongs reverberating throughout the village, heralding the warriors' return. Women dancers gracefully initiate the dance as a gesture of welcome, followed by the warriors, who join in with dynamic, heroic movements that symbolise victory and courage.<div> </div> ...

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2204

Ais Tingkap Penang, 2, Lebuh Tamil, 10100 Georg...

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AIR SARBAT

Air Sarbat, a type of drink, has existed for thousands of years in Persia and recorded in the book Canon of Medicine and The Tale of a Thousand and One Nights. In a short while, this drink became popular in India during the reign of the Mughal Empire.  In fact, the empire had improved it by drinking with ice from the Himalayan range for a more refreshing effect.  In the early 1900s, the Indians migrated to Malaya in droves, bringing along their food and drink traditions, for one, the air sarbat.  It was delicious, capturing the locals’ taste thus it became popular in Penang.  A business brand, 3579Ais Tingkap emerged, pioneered by a trader in Lebuh Tamil, George Town since 1919. In hot weather, quenching their thirst, people will happily go for traditional drink air sarbat.  <div> </div> ...

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5478

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PESTA PUJA PANTAI

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.<div> </div> ...

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5405

No 33 Persiaran Perpaduan 3, Taman Perpaduan, 3...

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BONGAI

The origin of the word "Bongai" has several interesting interpretations. Basically, the name Bongai is said to be derived from the combination of two words, namely "bong" and "aye." In this context, "bong" means someone respected, while "aye" means "me." Although various views exist about the origin of this word, the most important thing is the uniqueness of Bongai performance art itself. Bongai has been accepted as the identity of the folk song in Negeri Sembilan because of its beauty and uniqueness. Different from other folk songs, Bongai performance is usually performed in special places to highlight its uniqueness so that it can be seen more attractively. Bongai is an art form that is well known among the community in Negeri Sembilan and is considered a traditional song. It is equivalent to "Dondang Sayang" in Malacca and "Ghazal" in Johor. In short, "berbongai" refers to the activity of reciprocating poems that are sung in the form of songs by the actors. Bongai is a type of traditional Negeri Sembilan folk song that can be sung solo, duet, or in group. However, in a performance, only one individual can sing or tease while his partner or opponent is singing.<div> </div> ...

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3065

Kg. Pokok Sena, Chuping, 02600 Kangar, Perlis

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AWANG BATIL

Awang Batil is a Perlis art of musical storytelling. This art is performed by a narrator, the penglipur lara, known as Awang Batil.  He narrates stories while  tapping a bronze pot (made to store water). The tapping is the background music of the narration. Initially, Awang Batil was known as Awang Belanga because instead of tapping a pot, he did a belanga.  However, the belanga was filled with coal, thus later it was replaced with a batil, a copper container.   Back in the day, Awang Batil travelled through villages especially those having weddings to tell his stories. <div> </div> ...

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5356

Fakulti Muzik dan Seni Persembahan, Universiti ...

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RINGGI

Ringgi, also known as Emping Padi (rice flakes), is a traditional delicacy deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the people of Perlis, Malaysia. It is made from young glutinous rice grains harvested before they fully ripen. The preparation process involves toasting the green rice over an open fire until it pops and turns golden, followed by pounding it using traditional tools such as the lesung batang or lesung indik (wooden mortar and pestle). What makes ringgi truly special is its crispy texture and fragrant aroma, a result of age-old techniques passed down through generations. Traditionally, it is enjoyed as a light snack, particularly during breakfast or afternoon tea.  This seasonal dish is closely associated with the musim timur, or winter wind, a cool weather phenomenon that occurs once a year in Perlis. It is during this short window that ringgi is produced, making it a rare and much-anticipated treat that is seldom found outside of this specific season. In the past, the making of ringgi was a communal effort, carried out through gotong-royong (cooperation) involving the entire village. The process, known as mengemping, would transform into a festive village event, eagerly awaited each year. More than just preparing food, mengemping served as a vital social platform within rural communities, especially for the youth. It was even regarded as an informal matchmaking event, where young men and women could mingle under the watchful eyes of their elders. Today, ringgi is increasingly rare due to time constraints, the complexity of its preparation, and the influence of modern lifestyles. Nonetheless, it remains a cherished cultural symbol rich in heritage value. Its production is not merely a culinary practice but a reflection of strong community ties. The enduring uniqueness of ringgi secures its place as a treasured culinary heritage of the Perlis people. ...

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1068

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