LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
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THE ‘BERASIK’ DANCE IN THE TRADITIONAL HEALING PRACTICE OF THE BISAYA ETHNIC GROUP
<p>The Berasik dance is part of the traditional healing practices of the Bisaya</p><p>community in Beaufort, Sabah. It is a ritual performed to expel disturbances caused</p><p>by spirits believed to be the source of illness or affliction in individuals. The</p><p>ceremony is led by a shaman known as the babalian, who plays a central role in the</p><p>healing process. This dance is not merely a physical performance but also involves</p><p>the chanting of incantations, the use of specific musical instruments, and ritual</p><p>objects to summon spirits and restore the patient&#39;s spiritual balance.</p><p>The Bisaya community believes that certain illnesses are caused by disturbances</p><p>from the spirits of the deceased or supernatural beings known as mitogom. Thus,</p><p>the Berasik dance is not simply a cultural performance but carries deep spiritual</p><p>significance, whereby the babalian interacts with the supernatural realm to heal the</p><p>afflicted. Typically, the ritual practitioner moves in circular motions around a</p><p>structure called the Sokuban, a tall shrine suspended from the roof to the floor of</p><p>the house. The Sokuban is decorated with leaves collected from burial grounds,</p><p>various types of flowers such as paper flowers, cempaka, and melur, as well as</p><p>mayang pinang (areca palm blossom). These decorative elements are believed to</p><p>serve as places where the spirits can dwell or cling to during the ritual. As the</p><p>ceremony begins, the dancers perform the Berasik dance in circular motion around the Sokuban, as a form of veneration and invocation of the spirits involved.</p> ...
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UMAI
<p>Umai is a traditional dish of the Melanau community based on seafood, particularly fish and shrimp. The main ingredient for umai is raw fish for preparing fish umai, while raw shrimp is used for preparing shrimp umai. For making fish umai, the Melanau people often choose parang fish, white pomfret, empirang fish, shark, and terubok fish. Meanwhile, for shrimp umai, smaller-sized shrimp are typically the preferred choice. The fish and shrimp must be cleaned and mixed with other ingredients consisting of shallots, onions, chili, lime juice, and ginger, as well as other additional ingredients according to individual taste. If using fish as the main ingredient, the fish meat is usually thinly sliced first. The shallots, onions, garlic, chili, and ginger must be pounded and mashed to be thoroughly mixed with the sliced fish prepared earlier. Similarly, if using small shrimp as the main ingredient, the shrimp must be mixed until well-blended with the pounded or blended ingredients to add flavour to the fish and shrimp. The squeezed lime juice can provide a sour taste to enhance the deliciousness of the umai. The amount of juice needed depends on personal preference, but generally, most umai preparers choose to make it slightly spicy and tangy to taste.</p> ...
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TARIAN NOPENG KINEK
<p>Nopeng Kinek is a new dance which came from the Gendang Melayu Sarawak arts, consisting of tandak/nopeng, drums, and poetry. Being performed regularly at weddings inspired its new creation.</p><p><br></p><p>Penopeng means ‘a wearer of mask’. The dancers are only boys whilst the girls sit behind the curtains, beating the drum or gong. Saying goes that these shy dancing boys can’t help peeping at the girls through the curtains. Too shy, they cover their faces with sarung pelikat as if they are masked. Over time, this little act of peeping and covering their faces, makes the boys nicknamed ‘the masked ones’ (penopeng). Then nopeng, eventually means dancing. </p><p><br></p><p>This new creation of nopeng kinek is to encourage the young to appreciate their culture. </p><div><br></div> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM KADAZANDUSUN SUKU KADAZAN PAPAR – PANTANG LARANG KAPATAZON (KEMATIAN)
<p>As the largest ethnic group in Sabah, the Kadazandusun community exhibits linguistic diversity, with various dialects reflecting distinct customs, including death-related terms. In the general Kadazandusun language, death is referred to as Kapatayon. However, in the Kadazan Papar dialect, the term Kapatazon is used. The Kadazandusun language includes two primary terms to denote death and pronunciation variations influenced by dialectal differences among sub-ethnic groups. Furthermore, each Kadazandusun sub-ethnic group observes distinct taboos related to death. While the structural framework of these taboos is mainly uniform, certain variations underscore the cultural distinctiveness of each subgroup.</p> ...
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TARIAN TRADISIONAL POJA BUGIS
<p>Tarian Poja, or Pooja dance, is a dance presenting the identity of the Bugis in Selangor. In 1988, a coach of Pakkuru Sumangge dance from Sulawesi, Indonesia, Ibu Andi Ugie Kamariah, was invited to Selangor to teach poja to the staffs of Sultan Alam Shah Museum, to prepare for the museum’s officiating ceremony in 1989. Thus the structure, pattern and moves of the dance portray the Bugis history, cultural restoration, lineage endurance and art. </p><p><br></p><p>Poja means praises or compliments. It is an original idea of Ibu Andi Ugie Kamariah when she tutored the dance in Selangor. This dance is danced by a group of young girls with moves symbolizing compliments and soliciting blessings from the guests and leaders invited to the ceremony. </p><p><br></p><p>Poja Bugis Dance Moves</p><p><br></p><p>The dance contains three parts: sambut tamu (welcoming the guests), raikan tamu (celebrating the guests), and tanda kasih (extending thanks). And there are six types of moves: Ragam Duduk Tindih Kasih, Ragam Sembah Campak Bunga, Ragam Doa Sembah, Ragam Bangun Berjalan, Ragam Campak Tabur and Ragam Lenggang Ombak Beralun.</p><div><br></div><div><br></div> ...
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LAGU RAKYAT
<p>Lagu Rakyat is a genre of traditional and contemporary folk songs music. The 20th century saw the rise of lagu rakyat in Terengganu, Malaysia, especially so in her capital city Kuala Terengganu. These traditional songs are the people symbol, oral traditions through poetry and rhymes, narrating stories and life, turning back the hands of time at times. Among the definitions of traditional folk songs are music, which:</p><p>•<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>spreads orally, </p><p>•<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>has no known composers, </p><p>•<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>is played by traditional instruments, </p><p>•<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>is about cultural or national identity, </p><p>•<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>changes between generations, </p><p>•<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>associates with people, folklore, or </p><p>•<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>is performed due to tradition and custom over a long duration. </p><p><br></p><p>These definitions differentiate it from the commercial or classical music. Popular Lagu Rakyat Terengganu are:</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Dendang Nasihat</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Tikor Seludang;</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Chak Chilik</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Embun Soksek</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kolek Berkolek</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Itik Gembo Gembo</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Manis Berladung</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Wa Timang Landok</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Anok Udang</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Zapin Darul Iman</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Joget Teganu Kite</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Joget Guane Gamok Orang Kiter</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ngambak Ikan</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Peel Orang Ganu</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sapa Situ Seme</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Musim Booh</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Dunia Lening</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Si Burung Murai; etc.</p><p><br></p><p> In the past, lagu rakyat Terengganu were sung with the beats of drums, tambourines, or rhythmic hand claps as background. And for generations, their educate the young about culture and values. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>In the old days, the folk-songs singers were called penglipur lara. They brought merriment and fun, drawing the community together in happy moments at weddings and important celebrations.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN SI TUBAU
<p>Si Tubau is a traditional dance of the Iranun ethnic community in Sabah, who predominantly reside in the districts of Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and Tuaran. The dance's name originates from the term "Tubau," which refers to woven cloth—a textile art that holds significant cultural value and serves as a source of pride for the Iranun people. This woven cloth is fashioned into various garments, including shirts, skirts, towels, sashes, and trousers. The term "Si Tubau" specifically alludes to Si Tukang Tenun, or the master weaver, an individual highly skilled in the art of weaving this traditional fabric. Consequently, the dance's movements are designed to emulate the motions of weaving cloth.</p> ...
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BURASAK
<p>Burasak, also known as buras or burasa, is a traditional dish of the Bugis community made from rice cooked with coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves, and boiled until fully cooked. Resembling lontong, it has a richer flavour due to the use of coconut milk.</p><p>Burasak has been a staple of the Bugis people who settled in the Malay Peninsula since the 16th century, introduced by Bugis traders from the Sulawesi Islands in Indonesia. This dish was a preferred provision for Bugis traders during voyages as it could be stored for long periods.</p><p>In Johor, burasak is now a special delicacy served during festive celebrations such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha. The dish is simple yet wholesome, prepared using basic ingredients like rice, coconut milk, and salt, wrapped in banana leaves and tied with raffia string. Often paired with side dishes such as chicken rendang, it is a satisfying and complete meal.</p> ...
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ADAT AMONG-AMONG/THANKSGIVING CEREMONY
<p>Among-Among is a thanksgiving ceremony practised by the Javanese community in Johor, primarily associated with the birth and development of a child. This tradition involves a series of thanksgiving rituals beginning immediately after the child’s safe delivery, continuing at 36 days old, and culminating in a significant milestone when the baby reaches approximately eight months of age during the pijak tanah (first stepping on the ground) ceremony. In some families, this tradition is observed annually until the child becomes fluent in speaking.</p><p>The pijak tanah ceremony, typically held after the first year, is a pivotal event in the child's life. It includes the preparation of traditional dishes such as Ayam Ingkung—a dish featuring a young male chicken (ayam lancor), symbolising blessings. The child is ceremonially given the chicken’s thigh. Other traditional dishes such as Nasi Keluban and Bubur Abang carry significant symbolic and cultural value, reflecting the richness of Javanese heritage.</p><div><br></div> ...
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KUIH BUTIR NANGKA
<p>Butir Nangka is one of the popular traditional kuih (desserts) in Malaysia, especially in the East Coast states such as Kelantan and Terengganu. It derives its name from its small, oval shape that resembles jackfruit seeds. In some sources, it is also known as "Bubur Nangka" or "Kuih Nangka."</p><p><br></p><p>This kuih is part of the Malay culinary heritage that has existed since ancient times. It is often prepared for weddings, feasts, or celebrations such as Hari Raya. Butir Nangka is believed to have originated from Malaysia's East Coast, particularly in Kelantan and Terengganu, but is now known throughout the country. This kuih is also considered a traditional dessert served at casual gatherings and is a sweet dish ideal as a dessert after a heavy meal.</p><div><br></div><div><div>Characteristics of Butir Nangka</div><div>Shape and Color</div><div>This kuih is small and oval-shaped, with a green color resembling jackfruit seeds. However, the colors of Butir Nangka have now been diversified.</div><div>Taste</div><div>Sweet and soft, with a rich coconut milk flavor. Its sweetness is balanced with a slight saltiness from the coconut milk.</div><div>Texture</div><div>Chewy and soft on the inside.</div></div><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN PORTUGIS
<p>The Portuguese Dance of Melaka is a traditional art form deeply rooted in the history and cultural heritage of Melaka. It originates from the influence of the Portuguese community that came to Melaka in the 16th century and has since evolved into a part of the local culture. The Portuguese Dance of Melaka blends Portuguese and Malay elements, reflecting the unique cultural fusion in Melaka, known as the Baba Nyonya or Peranakan culture.</p><p><br></p><p>Origins of the Portuguese Dance of Melaka</p><p>This dance originates from the Kristang (Portuguese-Eurasian) community in Melaka. Following the Portuguese colonization of Melaka in 1511, the Portuguese community brought with them artistic traditions, including dance, music, and song. Over time, they assimilated with local cultures, including Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences, resulting in highly unique and diverse art forms, including Portuguese dances.</p><p>There are several types of dances associated with the Portuguese Dance of Melaka, including the most well-known:</p><p>Fandango Dance</p><p>The Fandango is one of the most renowned dances in Portuguese Melaka tradition. This dynamic dance involves quick footwork and is typically performed during celebrations and weddings.</p><p>Branyo Dance</p><p>The Branyo is a traditional Portuguese dance originating in Melaka. It is part of musical and dance performances at social gatherings and entertainment events. The Branyo features paired male and female dancers, performing with spirited and lively movements.</p><p>Tundo Dance</p><p>Tundo is a more ritualistic dance often performed during religious ceremonies or Christian celebrations held by the Kristang community in Melaka. It reflects the religious influence in Portuguese Melaka dance culture.</p> ...
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LAKSA SARAWAK
<p>Laksa Sarawak is very well-known and is an iconic dish for the people of Sarawak. The uniqueness of this laksa lies in the special spices used during its preparation. These laksa spices are distinctly different and not found in laksa dishes from other states. Besides the special spices, other basic ingredients include rice vermicelli, cooked chicken meat, fried tofu, omelette strips, bean sprouts, black fungus, shrimp, boiled eggs, and calamansi lime. The broth is made from a mixture of sambal belacan, coconut milk, tamarind juice, garlic, galangal, and lemongrass.</p> ...
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