LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
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CENDOL SAGU RUMBIA
<p>Cendol sagu rumbia is a traditional Nusantara dish that uses sago from the rumbia tree as the main ingredient, different from normal cendol that uses rice flour. This dish originates from Sumatra and Kalimantan, where sago is a staple food. The manufacturing process involves the extract of the rumbia stalk starch mixed with coconut milk and brown sugar, resulting in a chewy texture and a unique sweet, fatty taste. Usually served in traditional ceremonies, now Cendol sagu rumbia is becoming more popular and prepared in modern variations while still maintaining the rich local cultural heritage.</p><div><br></div> ...
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GENDANG 24 MUSIM
<p>The 24-Season Drums, also known as Chinese drums or shigu among traditional music players in Malaysia, is an ensemble that features 24 drums, each representing one season in the 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar. This calendar, created by the ancient Chinese people, is based on various natural phenomena, particularly climate changes. The name of each season is written on each drum using Chinese calligraphy.</p><p><br></p><p>In general, this ensemble combines three elements of Chinese traditional culture and belief: the 24 solar terms or seasons, the art of calligraphy, and the drumming art form. This unique fusion has led to the creation of a new cultural art form and a reinterpretation of drum performance, which previously did not exist in Chinese communities, particularly among Malaysian Chinese.</p><p>The 24-Season Drums became popular due to their large number and have been taught in Chinese schools across Malaysia since the 1990s. The first 24-Season Drum ensemble in Malaysia was established by a music teacher from Johor Bahru, Mr. Chen Wei Chong, on 12 June 1988.</p><p><br></p><p>The first performance of this ensemble featured only nine drums and was performed by a Chinese organization in Johor Bahru. Due to the positive reception and growing interest, the organization successfully raised funds to purchase an additional 15 drums to complete the ensemble.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN NAZAM
<p>Nazam is a Malay poetry adapted from Arabic verse composition. It emerged in Malaya around the 12th century as Islam began to reach the shores of the Malay Peninsula (Abdul Latif, 2013). By the 15th century it was introduced in Malacca and by the 20th century, broadly won the hearts of her locals. </p><p><br></p><p>Nazam is an Arabic word carries the notion of ‘poetic composition’. According to At-tullab Arabic-Malay Dictionary (1994), nazam means ‘to plan, compose, organize and arrange’. Thus it can be said that nazam means poetry and bernazam carries the meaning of singing. </p><p><br></p><p>Nazam songs are divided into two versions, the Serkam and Tanjung. The songs were beginning to be sung in Terengganu, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan. The nazam performed in Malacca is called Nazam Asli which is based on Islamic teachings. While another, the Creative Nazam, is concerning current events or stories, sung with a drumming background, which is importantly not prohibited by Islamic teachings or Malay culture (Abdul Latif, 2013). Lastly, nazam is performed by men and women.</p><p><br></p><p>The Lyirik of Nazam</p><p><br></p><p>Pillars of Islam Nazam<span style="white-space:pre"> </span></p><p>Allah Allah Azzawajal our Lord </p><p>We ask for forgiveness of our sins </p><p>Protect our journey </p><p>I surrender to You, Ya Allah</p><p><br></p><p>Islam’s core is the five pillars</p><p>The shahada is the first core of faith </p><p>The second, prayer is the pillar of religion </p><p>The third, fasting in the main month of Ramadan (Repeat) </p><p><br></p><p>The fourth, extending the zakat when it’s due</p><p>Thus one should not be neglecting </p><p><br></p><p>The fifth, performing the hajj at the House of God</p><p>If one is able, it is obligatory.</p><div><br></div> ...
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CIRCUMCISION RITUAL OF THE ORANG ASLI - JAHUT CLAN
<p>The circumcision ritual is one of the most significant ceremonies in the lives of the Jahut indigenous community, who reside in the interior regions of Pahang, particularly in the districts of Jerantut, Temerloh, and Lipis. The Jahut are a subgroup of the Proto-Malay (Senoi-Prak) Orang Asli, inheriting rich traditions and customs filled with spiritual, social, and cultural values that are observed at various stages of life.</p><p>Etymologically, the term Jahut is derived from two words: Jah, meaning "people," and Hut, meaning "forest." Combined, the name translates to "forest people," reflecting their ancestral lifestyle, which was deeply dependent on the forest and natural resources. Their spoken language, known as the Jahut language, belongs to the Mon-Khmer language family, which is a major branch of the Austro-Asiatic language group. Over time, however, the Jahut language has absorbed a significant number of Malay words, including various local dialects such as those <span style="display: inline !important;">from Kerdau, Krau, Ketiar Krau (Terengganu), Kuala Tembeling, Pulau Guai, Ulu Ceres (Cheras), and Ulu Tembeling.</span></p><p>In earlier times, the Jahut people lived a nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place in search of food and other natural resources. However, with the passage of time and changing circumstances, they gradually transitioned into permanent settlements and built homes to protect themselves from the elements. In Temerloh, they have established villages such as Kampung Pelong, Kampung Paya Mengkuang, Kampung Panderas, Paya Mendoi, Kampung Pasu, Kampung Pian, Kampung Paya Rekoh, Kampung Paya Mendoi, and Kampung Kuala Terboi. In Jerantut, they are primarily located in the Sungai Kiol and Kekwel (Kol) areas.</p><p>Regarding their origins, the Jahut community living in the Krau Valley today often traces their lineage back to the Minangkabau people of Pagar Ruyung. According to oral history, their ancestors fled from Pagar Ruyung following the Rawa Rebellion in 1862. They initially migrated to the Semantan River area in southern Krau Valley before moving deeper into the valley, where they continue to reside today. The migration into the forested interior was further prompted by the arrival of Malay settlers in the Kuala Krau township, which led the Jahut to seek more secluded areas along the forest fringes.</p><p>For the Jahut people, circumcision is not merely a medical procedure but carries deep meanings of maturation, transition in social status, spiritual purification, and the reinforcement of cultural identity. Although the practice has now become an important tradition, the origins of circumcision among the Jahut are rooted in a unique oral story passed down through generations.</p><p>According to the elders of Kampung Pian, the circumcision tradition began when a man from outside the community migrated to the Jahut settlement. This man was ashamed of being called Kulop (a term for an uncircumcised male in his original village) because he had not undergone circumcision. After settling in the Jahut village, he studied under the guidance of the village chief’s wife, who was referred to as Batin Perempuan (female village chief) due to her wisdom and knowledge. After several years of learning, he married the chief’s daughter, and they were later blessed with a son.</p><p>When his son reached the appropriate age, the man sought permission from his father-in-law to perform circumcision following his own cultural practices. Initially,<span style="display: inline !important;">the father-in-law was reluctant, fearing the risk of death from possible complications during the circumcision process. However, after much persuasion and explanation of the benefits, he eventually agreed to conduct the ceremony. From that event onward, circumcision became a generational practice and has since been preserved as an integral part of the Jahut community’s cultural tradition to this day.</span></p><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.7px; display: inline !important;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div> ...
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PERANAN TOPENG SAGU MELANAU UNTUK KAUM DI SARAWAK, BORNEO
<p>The Melanau are one of the largest ethnic groups in Sarawak, residing along coastal areas including Matu Daro, Rejang, Mukah, and several other districts. Among them, there are Muslims and Christians, as well as those who practice animism, worshipping the spirits known as Ipok, manifestations of natural forces and powers. In Melanau belief, Ipok consists of Ipok Laut (sea spirit), Ipok Balau (forest spirit), Ipok Sarauang (sky spirit), and Ipok Iyang (earth spirit).</p><p><br></p><p>In traditional medicine, the Melanau believe that illness can result from an imbalance between the body and natural energies due to disturbances from malevolent spirits. Therefore, the Adat Bebayuh exists as an animistic healing practice of the Melanau people to cure ailments.</p> ...
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ZAPIN KORES DANCE
<p>The Zapin Kores Dance represents a distinctive facet of Malay zapin heritage originating from Kampung Kores, Batu Pahat, Johor. The term "Kores" is derived from a local expression that symbolises the curving bends of a river, resembling the curves of a kris blade. This artistic tradition exemplifies the continuity of local heritage reinterpreted through indigenous aesthetic values.</p><p><br></p><p>The dance was first introduced by Haji Husin Ahmad, who acquired his knowledge from Dollah Pak Besar, a villager from Kampung Kores. Dollah Pak Besar, a trader specialising in betel nuts, frequently travelled to Sumatra, Indonesia, for commerce. During these visits, he studied zapin and subsequently returned to Kampung Kores, adapting the art form to reflect local cultural nuances and preferences.</p><div><br></div> ...
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KUIH BADAK KUBANG
<div>Kuih Badak Kubang is one of the traditional Malay delicacies popular in Malaysia, particularly in the east coast states such as Kelantan and Terengganu. This kuih is well-known for its unique shape and deliciously sweet taste. The name "Badak Kubang" refers to its resemblance to a rhinoceros, as it appears round and plump. The term "kubang", meaning "puddle" or "mudhole", describes how the kuih expands and fills up after being cooked, giving it a characteristic soft and rich texture.</div><div><br></div><div><div>History and Origins:</div><div>Origin of the Name:</div><div>The name Kuih Badak Kubang is believed to have originated from the Malay language, describing its appearance, which resembles a rhinoceros (badak)—plump and round. The term "kubang" refers to a damp or muddy area, symbolizing the flattened top shape of the kuih, resembling a rhinoceros resting in a mudhole.</div><div>Origins of the Kuih:</div><div>Kuih Badak Kubang comes from Malay culinary traditions, particularly from states like Kelantan and Terengganu. It is a traditional delicacy often served at special occasions, including festivals, feasts, and official gatherings. This kuih has been passed down through generations as part of the rich heritage of the east coast Malay community in Peninsular Malaysia.</div></div><div><br></div> ...
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ALAT MUZIK TONGKUNGON
<p>The Tongkungon is an idiocord tube zither popular among the Kadazan-Dusun ethnic community, particularly in the Tambunan, Penampang, and Tuaran regions. It belongs to the chordophone category and is made from "Poring" bamboo, a giant bamboo measuring 40 and 50 centimetres long, with strings crafted from the bamboo's skin.</p> ...
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TEATER TRADISONAL MENORA (KELANTAN)
Menora is a cultural heritage art originating from the Narathiwat province, Southern Thailand, and has long been a part of Kelantan culture. This art, also known as “Manora” in Thai, is a type of folk dance theatre that combines elements of ritual, dance movements, instrumental music, singing, and storytelling. Although originating from Thailand, Menora is now also performed in Kelantan and several other areas in Peninsular Malaysia, making it a unique cross-border cultural symbol. ...
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ADAT MENITIK MATA SINGA
<p>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. </p><p><br></p><p>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. </p><p><br></p><p>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. </p><div><br></div> ...
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MUZIK TUMBUK KALANG
<p>Tumbuk Kalang is an extraordinary heritage music of Negeri Sembilan. It used to be a popular folk game in Tampin, Inas, Gunung Pasir and Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. </p><p><br></p><p>Tumbuk means pound (or thump), thus the name of the music. In particular, the music uniquely comes from the rhythmic sound when the farmers pound the paddy grain to get rice. During the harvest season, after working hard in the day, the farmers gather on the moonlit night to pound the paddy grain. The pounding of the grain in wooden mortars produce enjoyable rhythmic thumps. The thumping sounds, resonating far in the night, tranquillizingly, helps the hard work of farming turn into a fun game with unusual music. Along, their favourite songs such as Tumbuk Emping, Kuda Berontak, Petang-petang and Gogar Babang are rhymed.</p><div><br></div> ...
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