LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
Search Filters : 426
PUISI REJANG
<p>The Rejang Poetry of Melaka refers to a traditional poetic style that evolved within the Baba Nyonya or Peranakan community in Melaka, Malaysia. This form of poetry is an integral part of oral traditions used during celebrations, weddings, and ceremonial events within the Peranakan community, blending cultural influences from Chinese and Malay heritage. Rejang Poetry holds high aesthetic value and is often utilized to express emotions, folk tales, or serve as a medium for communication in daily life.</p><p><br></p><p>Origin and History of Rejang Poetry in Melaka</p><p>Rejang Poetry in Melaka emerged as a result of the fusion between Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultures, leading to the development of Peranakan or Baba Nyonya culture. The Baba Nyonya community in Melaka is known for its traditions that emphasize rituals, art, and a language that combines elements of both cultures. Within this context, Rejang Poetry was frequently used in cultural celebrations such as weddings and religious ceremonies to convey respect, prayers, emotions, and aspirations.</p><p><br></p><p>This poetry style evolved in the form of syair or pantun, used by the Peranakan community to reflect their lives, including in ceremonial rituals, wedding festivities, family gatherings, or to express emotions and relationships within their society.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 1613
TARI SANGGUL LINTANG
<p>The Sanggul Lintang Dance of Melaka is a traditional dance originating from the state of Melaka (Malacca). This dance is rooted in Minangkabau culture, which is part of the broader Malay cultural heritage in the region. "Sanggul Lintang" refers to a distinctive hairstyle often worn during performances, where the hair is styled into a special bun resembling a "star" or "cross."</p><p><br></p><p>This graceful dance highlights the traditions, customs, and aesthetic beauty of the region. The movements are characterized by soft and intricate gestures that often convey respect, hospitality, and grace. Traditionally, the dance is performed during ceremonial or cultural events, such as weddings. However, some claim that the Sanggul Lintang hairstyle is also associated with the Baba and Nyonya community. The Sanggul Lintang, positioned at the back of the head, is made of two sections tied at the center. This headpiece, crafted from a combination of copper, gold, and suasa (a type of alloy), symbolizes the grandeur of Malay customs, particularly during the wedding ceremonies of Melaka's Malay community in ancient times.</p><p><br></p><p>In the past, hairstyles were often linked to a woman's personality. Here lies the uniqueness of the Sanggul Lintang, used as a bridal hairstyle in wedding ceremonies. Additionally, many may not realize the variety of floral motifs that adorned the hairpins for the bun. These include patterns like Senayan flowers, Sundah Belum flowers, Kekwa flowers, Short White flowers, and Long White Ferns, inspired by wild plants found in the forest. Due to the extraordinary uniqueness of the Sanggul Lintang, the Sanggul Lintang Dance was created to showcase the beauty of the Henna Night (Malam Berinai) in the Malay Melaka community. The dance movements portray the joy of the bride and highlight the high value of Melaka's traditional bridal attire.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 3718
TARIAN MENYAK
<p>Menyak means the manner sago flour is produced. Tarian Mengarang Menyak, initially was a traditional Melanau dance depicting how they lived on the shores of Sarawak. One of its portrayals was processing the sago, known as sei in local language. </p><p>It is vital to preserve this dance to strengthen the Malanau identity. </p><p><br></p><p>Thus two foundations in Mukah conducted research and later choreographed a newer and livelier tarian mengarang menyak. The foundations are Mukah Cultural Heritage Group (WARISMU) with their director then, the late Abdul Latip bin Mohti, and secondly, Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Sri Ritma Borneo, led by Tahiri Jasmin Smith.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 19
- 3160
TARIAN RONGBANG CHETTI
<p>Rongbang Chetti is a popular joget dance in Malacca. This dance is a new creation and accepted as a Chetti identity in Melaka. It is based on Joget Ronggeng Chetti and danced along with Chetti dialect songs. </p><p><br></p><p>Rongbang Chetti means Ronggeng Chetti Nation, inspired by the outgoing and vibrant atmosphere of Chetti life in Malacca. The chetti favourite dance moves have been chosen as the basic moves of Rongbang Chetti.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>For the unversed, the presence of the Chettis in Malacca is due to intermarriage between Indian traders and the locals since the Malacca Malay Sultanate (Hashim et. al, 2017). Their present settlement is in Kampung Gajah Behrang, Malacca. The Chettis assimilate and practice the local culture, including wearing the kebaya, cooking the Malay cuisines and strutting the local dances. </p><div><br></div> ...
- 28
- 3814
TARIAN KLASIK INDIA SG PETANI
<p>The classical Indian dance in Sungai Petani, Kedah, has a rich history closely tied to the migration of Indian communities to Malaya, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. This dance, encompassing various forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi, was brought by Indian immigrants who arrived as plantation workers and traders. Classical dance is not merely an art form but also serves as a medium for narrating epic tales like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as performing religious rituals in Hindu temples.</p><p><br></p><p>In Sungai Petani, this tradition flourished with the establishment of various cultural and arts institutions aimed at preserving this heritage.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- 1993
TARIAN TIGAL PRANUK
<p>Tigal Pranuk is a dance that mimics the movements and behaviours of an animal, specifically the mousedeer (kancil). This dance requires physical flexibility and expressive facial movements to portray the sounds, actions, and mannerisms of the animal.</p><p><br></p><p>The behaviours of these mousedeer was observed by a group of villagers from Bukar’sadung, who happened to be in the area collecting firewood. Upon returning to their village, they began imitating the mousedeer's antics, which eventually evolved into the form of a dance.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 868
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> ...
- 15
- 1557
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> ...
- 13
- 3729
JOHORE SPORTS CLUB DANCE
<p>"Joget Johore Sports Club" is one of the songs accompanying joget, a traditional Malay dance widely popular in Malaysia, particularly in the state of Johor. Joget is believed to have originated from the Portuguese dance Branyo, introduced during the Portuguese colonisation of Malacca. Over time, joget evolved into a significant aspect of Malay culture, with various songs, such as "Joget Johore Sports Club," composed to accompany this dance. The dance was initially performed during the Royal Banquet of Johor, using a ghazal Johor song with a joget rhythm titled "Johore Sports Club," composed by the “Father of Johor Ghazal,” the late Tuan Hj. Musa bin Yusuff, also known as Pak Lomak.</p><p><br></p><p>Initially, the dance lacked structured movements and was performed spontaneously, resembling joget lambak. The movements followed the rhythm and tempo of the accompanying music. The dance style includes basic joget steps, serampang, kunang-kunang mabuk, and ends with choreographed sequences. The movements showcase the elegance and grace closely associated with Malay society.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 2
- -
- 1981
KUIH CELOROT
<p>The traditional dessert known as Kuih Celorot or Selorot, also called Kuih Segurut, is very popular among the Malay Melanau community. This kuih has a unique taste because it is made from special ingredients such as rice flour, coconut milk, gula apong or nipa palm sugar, pandan leaves, water, and a pinch of salt. The wrapping, made from young nipa palm leaves, also contributes to its appetizing aroma. The cooking technique, which involves steaming the Kuih Selorot, further enhances its uniqueness.</p> ...
- 1
- -
- 2029
ALAT MUZIK SULING (SERULING)
<p>The flute, in the context of the Kadazan-Dusun ethnic community, is a traditional musical instrument in the category of aerophones, a mouth flute type that is shorter in size than the length of a regular flute. It is made of Sumbiling bamboo, which has five or six finger holes known as 'Pongombitan'. The thumb hole is known as 'Molohing Tunturu'. Both ends of the flute are pierced for the flow of blowing from the mouth and the flow of the sound tone produced. The hole for blowing is known as 'Pogunian', and the end of the flute hole (back) is known as 'Pongirusan'.</p><p><br></p><p>This flute musical instrument is easier to make compared to other bamboo musical instruments. However, precision is required in its production to ensure that the flute maintains the authenticity of its sound and the manufacturing tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.</p> ...
- 3
- -
- 5676
SAMBAL TELUR BELIMBING BULUH
<p>Sambal Telur Belimbing Buluh is a popular dish in the cuisine of the Chetty or Peranakan Chetti community (also known as "Chitty" or "Chettiar" in Malaysia). Chetty cuisine reflects a blend of Malay and Indian culinary influences, with a rich use of spices and unique local ingredients. Sambal Telur Belimbing Buluh is an example of a dish that combines spicy and sour flavors, which are characteristic of this ethnic cuisine.</p><p><br></p><p>Belimbing buluh, also known as "bilimbi" in English, is a tropical fruit commonly found in Malaysia and Indonesia. It is used in traditional cooking to add a refreshing sourness. In Chetty cuisine, belimbing buluh is often incorporated into sambal to enhance the spiciness and freshness of the dish.</p><p><br></p><p>Characteristics of the Dish</p><p>Spicy and Sour Flavor: The combination of spiciness from chilies and sourness from belimbing buluh creates a refreshing and appetizing taste.</p><p>Rich with Spices: Ingredients like lemongrass and onions provide depth and aroma to the sambal.</p><p>Balanced Taste: Palm sugar adds a touch of sweetness to balance the spicy and sour flavors, resulting in a perfectly flavored sambal.</p><p>Unique and Traditional: This dish reflects the richness of Chetty cuisine, combining Malay and Indian influences with local ingredients to create a unique taste.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 1199