LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
Search Filters : 423
TARIRAI
<p>Tarirai is a traditional dance popular among the Bajau Laut ethnic community in Semporna, Sabah. The uniqueness of this dance lies in the use of Bolak-Bolak, hand props made of short wooden sticks that are clapped together throughout the performance. The inclusion of Bolak-Bolak creates a distinctive auditory dimension, enriching both the visual and rhythmic elements of the dance.</p><p>The term “Tarirai” generally translates to "dancing quickly" in the Bajau Laut language, though for the Sikubung sub-ethnic group, it specifically means "jumping erratically." Thus, the dance is often interpreted as a rapid or swift performance characterized by hopping movements.</p><p>The origins of the Tarirai dance trace back to a historical incident involving a group of fishermen seeking their livelihood along the shore. Upon reaching a rocky area, one fisherman leapt in surprise after encountering a sea snake known as “Taliaga”. His startled reaction became a source of amusement for the other fishermen.</p><p>That evening, the fishermen shared the humorous incident with the villagers, imitating the startled jump for entertainment. The villagers later incorporated additional humorous elements and accompanied the imitation with Tangungguk music. Over time, the movements inspired by this event developed into the Tarirai dance, which continues to be celebrated and cherished as a cultural tradition.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN MASRI KERCING
<p>The Masri Kercing Dance is a traditional Malay dance originating from Malaysia, often performed during celebrations or official events. This dance is closely associated with the Malay communities in Selangor and some areas in Pahang. The Masri Kercing Dance is known for its graceful, joyful, and harmonious movements. The term "Masri" refers to a traditional Malay dance created for entertainment purposes and to accompany traditional music.</p><p><br></p><p>Masri Kercing is a variation of the Masri dance, differing in style and movements. The word "Kercing" refers to the spinning and running foot movements characteristic of this dance. It is more dynamic and energetic compared to the more relaxed traditional Masri dance. This dance is typically performed by a group of dancers dressed in traditional attire, communicating through coordinated foot and hand movements.</p><p><br></p><p>The main movements in the Masri Kercing Dance involve quick and spinning footwork, reflecting the rhythm of the accompanying music. Dancers often move in circular formations, showcasing harmony among the performers. The dance emphasizes smooth and organized body movements, with hands raised or gesturing in sync with the rhythm.</p><div><br></div> ...
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- 1913
TARIAN DANSA COCOS
<p>Dansa Cocos is the most popular dance among the Cocos ethnic community, a minority ethnic group that resides in the Tawau district, Sabah. The term 'Dansa' itself comes from the English word 'Dance', which means dance or dancing. This dance has a long history that begins with the arrival of the crew of English merchant ships who first arrived in the Cocos Islands in 1826. Alexander Hare, a pioneer of English navigation at that time, played an important role in introducing this dance through interaction with the crew and local residents. Then, in 1827, Clunies Ross continued the voyage and brought workers from several areas in the archipelago, such as Malacca, Betawi (Jakarta), and Banjarmasin. Along with them came cultural influences that shaped the early form of Dansa Cocos. This dance then developed into one of the important elements in the art and culture of the Cocos ethnic community.</p><p><br></p><p>The movement patterns and dance styles of Dansa Cocos are more similar to the traditional Scottish dances of Strathspey and Tulloch. Nevertheless, several variations of this Dansa exist among the Cocos community, including Halldock Dance, Step, Senap, Baral, and Scotrail. Each of these variations displays a unique movement and step pattern, reflecting the influence of various cultures from the archipelago region as well as the Western influence brought by English sailors.</p> ...
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ZAPIN ARAB DANCE
<p>Arab Zapin, also referred to as zaffin, is the original form of the zapin dance brought to the Malay Archipelago by Arab traders and missionaries from Hadramaut, Yemen, during the 15th and 16th centuries. Initially, this dance was performed as court entertainment and served as a medium for Islamic proselytisation (dakwah). Arab Zapin is characterised by swift and simple footwork, strongly influenced by Arab culture. It is an integral part of the gambus (lute) traditions of Arab communities in Malaysia. This gambus-centred tradition includes zaffin, sarah, and samrah, typically beginning with a melodic improvisation known as Taqsim or Taqasim, performed on the gambus.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN MANSAYAU
<p>The Mansayau is a traditional dance of the Murut ethnic group, specifically from the Nabai sub-ethnic group, who predominantly reside in the Keningau district, including villages such as Kampung Tuarid Tauf, Tuarid Liawan, Debulat, Masak, and Patikang Laut. Inspired by the graceful movements of birds soaring above the clouds, the dance was originally performed as part of a healing ritual for the sick. Following the ritual, a traditional Tapai drinking ceremony would typically be held as a symbolic act of closure. During this ceremony, everyone present would join the Mansayau dance, expressing gratitude to their ancestors for protection and seeking blessings to safeguard the community from illness.</p> ...
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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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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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NASI AMBENG
<p>Nasi Ambeng is a traditional Javanese dish consisting of steamed white rice served in a large, circular tray (tampah) lined with banana leaves, surrounded by an assortment of side dishes. These side dishes include pegedil (potato patties), fried salted fish, rempeyek (thin crackers with peanuts), sambal goreng, boiled eggs, fried tempeh, urap (vegetables with spiced grated coconut), fried noodles or vermicelli, opor ayam (chicken cooked in coconut milk), toasted grated coconut, and occasionally local sweets and fruits.</p><p>The rice is often moulded into a compact form before serving, ensuring it remains intact when distributed. Popular among the Javanese community in Malaysia, particularly in Selangor and Johor, Nasi Ambeng is traditionally served during feasts, tahlil ceremonies, and communal gatherings. Its unique preparation and presentation highlight the values of togetherness, cooperation, and community spirit deeply embedded in Javanese culture.</p><div><br></div> ...
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ALAT MUZIK KULINTANGAN
<p>Kulintangan is a traditional musical instrument deeply rooted in the culture of ethnic communities in the state of Sabah because this musical instrument is inherited by almost every ethnic group. It consists of small gongs arranged horizontally on a wooden frame and is usually played in groups. Kulintangan usually has 8 to 9 small gongs arranged in a row, and when played, it produces different sounds from each other using two small wooden beaters.</p><p><br></p><p>There are some differences in terms of the number of kulintangan in some districts. For example, in the Telupid and Beluran districts, the Dusun Labuk tribe usually uses 9 kulintangan, while ethnic groups from other districts usually only use 6 to 7 kulintangan. Besides that, the kulintangan played also has differences in terms of traditional musical accompaniment between districts. For example, on the West Coast side, they usually only use kulintangan without any traditional musical accompaniment. In contrast, on the East Coast, such as Telupid and Beluran, the kulintangan musical instrument will be accompanied by the striking 3 types of gongs of different sizes. Similarly, with the Bajau and Suluk ethnic communities around the Semporna, Tawau and Lahad Datu districts, the Kulintangan is usually accompanied by the traditional musical instruments Gong Ibu and Gong Anak, as well as Tambul (drum).</p> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA SEBELUM PERKAHWINAN MASYARAKAT CINA: ADAT MERISIK
<p>In Chinese society, marriage is considered an important starting point in a person's life. It is one of the main aspects of strengthening and maintaining the family institution, which clearly shows that lineage can be passed down from one generation to the next. The word for marriage in Chinese is 婚姻 (pinyin: hūn yīn). Originally, traditional Chinese marriages were often arranged by families interested in combining relationships.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>In Confucian thought, marriage is considered a very important matter because it involves the union of two families and has an impact on society. According to Chinese cultural tradition, marriage between two individuals with the same surname is considered incest. From the point of view of Confucian families, marriage connects families with different surnames and ensures the continuity of the paternal clan. Therefore, the benefits and drawbacks of a marriage affect the entire family, not just the couple involved. From a social perspective, husband and wife are seen as the basic unit of Chinese society.</p><p><br></p><p>The structure of customs before marriage in Chinese society is </p><p>Surveying Custom</p><p>Marriage Ceremony</p><p>Engagement Custom</p><div><br></div> ...
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