LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
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AKOK
<p>Akok is a traditional treat loved by Malaysians, especially those in the East Coast. Mildly sweet with the aroma of egg, it comes in two shapes: oval and flower. The flower shape, more known as akok bunga (also known as the Cambodian) is much bigger than the oval. These two shapes follow their moulds when baked. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>The secret to producing this delicious traditional recipe is having the right amount of ingredients and the correct baking technique. The mixture of the flour, egg, brown sugar and coconut milk is delicately filtered to obtain the perfect akok.</p><p><br></p><p>Akok is soft, creamy and less sweet. It is a favourite traditional food of the Kelantanese, a specialty different from the other sweet ones. </p><p><br></p><p>One of the ways to preserve this heritage cooking is to train the young in its tradition and origins of making it. </p><div><br></div> ...
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SATA
<p>The origin of the traditional dish Sata is closely tied to the culture and traditions of the Malay community in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in the states of Terengganu and Kelantan. Sata is not only a delicious delicacy but also a symbol of culinary heritage that involves traditional cooking techniques passed down through generations. The name "Sata" is said to be derived from the word "santan," which refers to grated coconut used in the preparation of this dish. Additionally, some believe the name "Sata" comes from a localized pronunciation adapted by the community to suit their dialect.</p><p><br></p><p>Sata is believed to have originated from coastal areas where fish, especially small fish abundant in the sea, were a staple food source. On Malaysia's east coast, such as Terengganu and Kelantan, fish is a primary part of the local diet. The practice of cooking food wrapped in banana leaves is a traditional technique that has existed for a long time among the Malay community. Banana leaves are used to wrap food, enriching its flavor and aroma during the grilling process. This method also imparts a distinctive smoky taste, which is one of Sata's signature features.</p><div><br></div> ...
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LAGU BERPUKONG (MENIDURKAN BAYI)
<p>Berpukong or Berpokong, is a traditional Malay Banjar custom used to lull babies to sleep. This practice is deeply rooted in cultural and religious values. During Berpukong, the baby is placed in a seated position and securely wrapped in cloth up to the neck while both legs are allowed to dangle freely outside the cradle. As the cradle is gently swung, mothers sing the Lagu Berpukong in the Banjar dialect, interspersing the melody with recitations of blessings (Selawat) upon the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).</p><p><br></p><p>The Lagu Berpukong is a form of oral tradition passed down through generations of the Malay Banjar community. This song is not written in text but preserved through oral transmission, making it a vital element of cultural heritage. Its lyrics reflect the past's lifestyle and serve as a medium to convey praises, aspirations, and prayers. Through this tradition, mothers pray for their children to grow into devout individuals, dutiful to their parents, and beneficial to their community and nation.</p><div><br></div> ...
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PUTU MAYAM
<p>Putu Mayam is believed to originate from the Indian culinary tradition and is now enjoyed by all races in Malaysia. The word "Putu" is taken from the Sanskrit language meaning "steam". This dish also has similarities with similar foods in other countries, such as in India which has a dish called "puttu".</p><p>In its history, Putu Mayam has gone through various variations and adaptations according to local culture. In Malaysia, it is usually served as a snack or dessert. This food is usually in the form of long rolls filled with brown sugar, resulting in a balanced combination of sweetness with fatty grated coconut.</p><div><br></div> ...
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KUIH PENCUCI MULUT TRADISI WADAI KIPENG
<p>Wadai Kipeng is a traditional snack of the Johore Banjar. Wadai means cake while kipeng means something pressed (like a piece of cookie). It is oftentimes served in thanksgiving ceremonies or a prayer feast.</p><p><br></p><p>To make it, one requires glutinous rice flour, salt and water. While the sauce ingredients are coconut milk, water, white sugar, brown sugar and salt.</p><div><br></div> ...
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AKOK
<p>Kuih Akok is one of the most popular traditional desserts in the East Coast states of Malaysia, particularly in Kelantan and Terengganu. This kuih (dessert) is renowned for its rich sweetness, coconut aroma, and golden-yellow color. Akok is a symbol of cultural and heritage pride for the Malay community, with its preparation emphasizing the use of local ingredients.</p><p><br></p><p>Origin of Kuih Akok</p><p>Name and Origin</p><p>Kuih Akok is believed to have originated in Kelantan and Terengganu, with various stories about its beginnings. The name "Akok" might derive from the Malay word "Akok," which refers to its shape resembling a "rock" or "supporting structure."</p><p>Traditionally, this kuih is prepared in small cup-like shapes using molds, giving it its unique appearance.</p><p>History of Kuih Akok</p><p>Kuih Akok is believed to have existed since the era of the Malay Sultanates on the East Coast. Initially, it was prepared as a special dish for celebrations and feasts.</p><p>Over time, it became a staple at various occasions such as Eid celebrations, communal feasts (kenduri), and large family gatherings.</p><p>Cultural Influence</p><p>This kuih reflects the rich culinary heritage of the East Coast Malay culture, which is renowned for its use of natural ingredients like eggs, coconut milk, palm sugar, and rice flour. It embodies the diversity of traditional Malay cuisine, emphasizing the use of local resources.</p><div><br></div><div><div>Characteristics of Kuih Akok</div><div>Shape:</div><div>Kuih Akok is usually small and oval-shaped.</div><div>Taste:</div><div>This kuih has a rich sweetness from palm sugar, complemented by the creamy richness of coconut milk. The combination of sweet and creamy flavors makes it highly favored.</div><div>Texture:</div><div>The texture of Kuih Akok is soft, chewy, and creamy, owing to the use of coconut milk and eggs in its preparation.</div></div><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN BELOTAH
<p>Tarian Belotah is a folk dance of Perak paddy farmers, their melodious way of turning farming toil into a joyous awaited occasion. This dance is to separate paddy grains from the stalks, and they do it with rhymes. Lotah means rhyme, hence ‘belotah’ is rhyming. </p><p><br></p><p>Gemal padi (bunches of paddy stalks tied together) are placed on a platform, made from pinang tree planks. The planks are tied with rattan and secured to the floor. Then a group of ten to fifteen step on the paddy stalks on the floor in a circle in an effort to separate the grains from the stalks. While stepping, they exchange poems and songs, the melotah. </p><p><br></p><p>Sweetly, while laboring, separating paddy gains, the young men turn their drudgery into pleasure by teasing and courting the girls. Melotah eventually becomes an anticipated event for the young to socialise since in those days, society was extremely strict about boys meeting girls. </p><p><br></p><p>Belotah is akin to a sewang dance where the dancers rhyme while stepping on the paddy stalk bulks (gemal padi). They will also shout while jerking the platform, moving the planks rhythmically. As the planks move, they rub each other, producing squeaky sounds. These squeaky sounds are the ‘background music’ of the dance. So, the dancers move to the rhythm of the sound, swinging their legs twice forward and twice back, singing along the jerks of the planks. </p><p><br></p><p>Lyrics of Short Lotah </p><p><br></p><p>When it's cut, such a waste being cut</p><p>Gracious goes the root of the tree</p><p>Please, let it be, let it be sir</p><p>Ha ha hi</p><p>Ha ha hi</p><p>Ha ha hi</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>Gracious the roots of the wood </p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>Wishing to tie the yam </p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>Soft are the planks</p><p>Wishing to harvest the rice</p><p>The spirit of the rice</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>The of stump of the mountain a sacred mountain</p><p>Hai ya ya ye</p><p>Can be seen from a high cliff</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>We are here to welcome</p><p>Hai ya ya ye</p><p>Our revered sir</p><p>Who just arrived</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><div><br></div> ...
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CUSTOMS AND CULTURE OF THE BIDAYUH - SALAKO SUBGROU: THE NGONCONG RITUAL
<p>Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, renowned for its diversity of ethnicities, religions, cultures, and customs. One of the ethnic subgroups that has preserved its unique traditional customs is the Bidayuh Salako, who predominantly reside in Lundu, Sematan, and several coastal villages in Sarawak. While the Bidayuh community is generally known as an inland people, the Salako subgroup has been more exposed to maritime and coastal cultural influences due to their geographical location.</p><p><br></p><p>Within the Salako community, there is a particularly significant custom that has been passed down through generations known as Ngoncong. This ritual is deeply connected to spiritual beliefs, particularly concerning health, gratitude, spiritual renewal, and honoring ancestral spirits. It is not merely an ordinary ritual, but reflects the Salako philosophy of life, which emphasizes the balance between humans, nature, and spiritual forces as something highly significant.</p><p><br></p><p>The Ngoncong ritual is believed to have been practiced since the early settlement of the Salako people in Kampung Pueh around the year 1875. Although many Salako people have since embraced Christianity, Ngoncong continues to be preserved as a cultural heritage that reflects the enduring respect for their ancestral spiritual values.</p><p><br></p><p>This ritual cannot be conducted arbitrarily. Only individuals who are highly skilled and experienced, such as the “Panadek Koncong”, are authorized to lead the ceremony to avoid any disturbances from spirits or harm to the participants. It is believed that any errors during the performance of this ritual could lead to spiritual disturbances, such as possession or other undesirable consequences.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN DATUN JULUD
<p>Datun Julud means "long dance" in the Dayak Kenyah language, Hivan Joh in the Kayan dialect, and Arang Kadang in the Kelabit language. Traditionally, Datun Julud is performed by a group of women during ceremonial events of the Orang Ulu community.</p><p><br></p><p>This special dance, which focuses on expressing joy and gratitude to the Almighty, is said to have been created by Nyik Selong, the king of the Dayak <span style="display: inline !important;">Kenyah tribe in Apo Kayan. Nyik Selong was renowned and feared for his strength and exceptional skills in wielding weapons, making him nearly unbeatable.</span></p><p><br></p><p>However, he is said to have faced a personal dilemma as he had no heir. After a long wait for this moment of happiness, one of Nyik Selong’s daughters-in-law became pregnant and gave birth to his long-awaited successor. As a sign of gratitude, the entire longhouse community celebrated with a feast and performed this graceful dance.</p><div><br></div> ...
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CINTA SAYANG DANCE
<p>The Cinta Sayang dance is one of the traditional dances famous in the state of</p><p>Kedah and is also known in several northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. This</p><p>dance is often performed at festive events and celebrations as a form of folk</p><p>entertainment that reflects the gentleness of the culture and the values of love and</p><p>affection in community life.</p><p>Historically, the Cinta Sayang dance is believed to have originated from a</p><p>traditional dance form known as Zikir Rahmat. Its origins are linked to the lives of</p><p>fishing communities along the coastal areas, particularly in Kedah. The dance</p><p>portrays the emotional scenes of family members, especially wives, sending off</p><p>fishermen as they head to sea to earn a living. It symbolizes a temporary farewell</p><p>filled with prayers, hopes, and deep affection.</p><p>In this tradition, the fishermen pray for the safety of the family members they leave</p><p>behind, while the families in return pray for the protection and blessing of their</p><p>husbands’ journey and livelihood. Thus, the movements in this dance are not only</p><p>aesthetic but are also rich in symbolic meaning, depicting the close bonds among</p><p>family members, their prayers, and hopes in facing the challenges of life.</p> ...
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MARHABAN
<p>Marhaban is a form of Islamic art performance popular in Perak. The word ( بحرم) "Marhaba" is derived from the Arabic verb ( بحر) "Rahaba", which means spacious or vast. It conveys the meaning of a greeting or expression of respect used to welcome someone during a meeting. Some also translate this term as "welcome."</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><div><div>Marhaban refers to a specific recitation derived from the fourth Rawi (chapter) in the Majmu’ah Maulud Sharaf al-Anam. It begins at the eighth stanza, particularly at the verse that mentions the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), “He was born.” At this part, the performers and the audience stand together to sing what is known as Marhaban. The song, which remains popular to this day, is:</div><div><br></div><div>Thala'al Badru 'Alayna, Min Thaniyyatil Wada'</div><div>Wajabash Shukru 'Alayna, Ma Da'a Lillahi Daa'</div><div><br></div><div>The Malay community widely embraces this tradition. It symbolizes reverence and joy for the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), making it an essential element in the recitation of the text.</div></div><div><br></div> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM BIDAYUH: ADAT PINGIRIH
<p>The pingirih tradition is a custom practiced within the multicultural society of Sarawak. This tradition embodies the unique values of mutual cooperation and assistance within the daily activities of the Bidayuh community in the state. The pingirih custom is typically observed in activities related to house construction and agricultural work involving the cultivation of paddy, pepper, cocoa, and rubber, which are the main commodities of the Bidayuh community.</p><p><br></p><p>In other words, the pingirih tradition not only eases tasks but also helps lighten the workload and saves time in completing the work that the host is undertaking. Like the tradition of gotong-royong, pingirih activities are carried out collectively without any payment or wages.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>PINGIRIH CONCEPT</p><p><br></p><p>When a family wishes to toban pingirih, meaning to host a pingirih, a notification and request are communicated to community members regarding the date, time, location, and type of work to be carried out. Typically, community members are always prepared in terms of time and resources for this purpose. On the specified date and time, the relevant community members will odi ngiri or come to contribute their skills and energy to complete the tasks and activities outlined by the pingirih organizer.</p><p>In certain circumstances, some community members who join the pingirih are those who have previously hosted a pingirih. They attend as an act of reciprocating the pingirih, known as odi rapas pingirih.</p><p><br></p><p>Participation in a pingirih is measured by the number of days a person contributes their labor. In certain cases, community members involved in the pingirih may request specific compensation from the organizer for their participation. Upon request, pingirih participants may be compensated with basic kitchen essentials such as rice, salt, and belacan (shrimp paste). In such situations, the agreement to provide compensation can be particularly helpful to community members facing challenges in securing basic food supplies.</p><p><br></p><p>Additionally, pingirih participants are typically family members and friends willing to support the organizer. If compensation cannot be provided immediately, the assistance given is regarded and remembered as a sincere act of kindness.</p><p><br></p><p>A hosted pingirih is not confined to a specific geographical area. It often involves nearly the entire village and sometimes neighboring villages as well. Thus, villagers consistently engage in pingirih-birumiek, or mutual assistance through pingirih. An example is pingirih ngutuom, a pingirih for rice harvesting, carried out in hopes of a bountiful harvest and to strengthen the sense of belonging within the community.</p><p><br></p><p>Essentially, reciprocating a pingirih (rapas pingirih) does not necessarily occur simultaneously with the activities of odi ngirih. Instead, it depends on the timing and needs of the reciprocation. Therefore, a pingirih organizer may request the assistance of others due to their specialized skills. In other words, a person’s involvement may be required due to their expertise in a particular task.</p><div><br></div> ...
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