LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
Search Filters : 423
TARIAN BUBU MENARI
<p>Tarian Bubu, also known as Lukah Menari, is an extraordinary folk dances of Perak. It is known so since the dancers hold a bubu or lukah when dancing. A bubu is a tool to catch fish in the Malaysian and Vietnam rivers. </p><p><br></p><p>The origin of this dance is shrouded in myth. For one, an extraordinary story, as such a favourite, tells about three young men who lost their way in the forest while catching fish (with a bubu) in the river. They rested under a tree and heard a girl singing on a nearby tree. So, they approached the girl and asked how to get out of the forest. The mysterious girl kindly helped them find their way back home</p><p><br></p><p>So, in appreciation of her, they made a bubu with the girl's clothes to remember their mystifying but sweet encounter. They took a coconut shell to make ‘her’ head and face. Then, holding the bubu, they sang the song sung by the girl. In awe at what they saw and appreciating the girls’ kindness, the villagers imitated the three men’s play-acting that it eventually became a heritage dance. </p><p><br></p><p>At present, the original tarian bubu is still performed but with a slight variation to suit the current community’s interest, outlook and preference.</p><div><br></div> ...
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MUZIK KENTRONG
<p>Kentrong was brought by traders from Indonesia to Malaya and began to grow in Malaysia, especially in Selangor and Johor. Prof. Dr. Ding Choo Ming, Principal Research Fellow of the Institute of the Malay World & Civilization, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, in his article “Trade and Migration”, opened the way to the spread of traditional Malay literature. He states that many writers, copyists, storytellers and others, such as kentrong craftsmen in Jawa, poets in Sunda, and entertainers, go back and forth across the ocean and spin on land to entertain and educate. This statement means that the behavior of migration and literary activities of art and culture happened because of the influence and good political changes in Malaysia.</p> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM IBAN: ADAT PERKAHWINAN
<p>The wedding ceremony (melah pinang) begins with the groom, dressed in the traditional attire of the Iban community, being paraded in a procession by vehicle or jong to the bride’s house, accompanied by the beating of gongs. Their arrival is marked by a gunshot as a sign. The bride’s entourage joins the groom’s group by the river for a ceremonial bath together, symbolizing the start of a bond between the two families.</p><p><br></p><p>The wedding ceremony starts with a discussion in the ruai (communal hall) accompanied by a serving of tuak (rice wine). The bride requests berian (gifts) according to the customs of the village. Other traditional gifts include:</p><p><br></p><p>1.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Pemecah tangga fee, consisting of an adze or axe</p><p>2.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Pembuka pintu fee, which includes a spear</p><p>3.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Pembuka kelambu fee, represented by a sword</p><p>4.<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Other appropriate gifts</p><p><br></p><p>The membelah pinang ceremony determines the couple’s bond duration. The split areca nut is then distributed to the guests. With this, the wedding ceremony is considered complete, unless a bersanding ceremony is held that evening, in which case the ceremony concludes that night.</p><p><br></p><p>If there are any mistakes or errors during the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds will bathe in the river to cleanse themselves. They are also asked to hold a seven-yard-long cloth so that each individual’s mistakes will be washed away.</p><div><br></div> ...
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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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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA SEBELUM PERKAHWINAN MASYARAKAT CINA: UPACARA BERTUNANG
<p>In Chinese society, marriage is considered an important starting point in a person's life. It is one of the main aspects in strengthening and maintaining the family institution. This 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: </p><p>Surveying Custom</p><p>Proposing Ceremony</p><p>Engagement Custom</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN SABA’
<p>Tarian Saba’ was a dance and singing performance associated with disease outbreaks suffered by the Terengganu Malays the past three centuries. The dance was used to heal those illnesses. The healing was started by a female shaman named Che Mek Comot around 1718 in Kampung Kuala Jengal, Dungun, Terengganu.</p><p><br></p><p>In those days, the practice of healing was almost theatrical, where the shaman would call and appeal to the deity at the beginning of the ritual. The deity-calling was carried out to ensure the treatment would run smoothly. A small coconut tree, the sabak (saba'), was carved for the deity calling and the dance began from this tree. The tree portrayed a flower garden in in the spiritual world. </p><p><br></p><p>Most of the time the shaman conducted the rituals at night, taking one to three nights in a row. It was also performed in a special selected room (of the house). Thirty-three songs were sung in the dance, five of them were: Anak Burung Baniong, Dewa Awan, Muda Di Awan, Nur Sakti, Anak Tedung and Anak Udang.</p><div><br></div> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM BAJAU SUKU UBIAN – KORBAN UNTUK SI MATI
<p><span style="letter-spacing: 0.7px; display: inline !important;">The Ubian Bajau tribe is one of the Bajau Laut ethnic communities that inhabit coastal areas in Sabah such as Banggi Island, Kudat, Sandakan, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Semporna. This community is known for its strong customs and cultural beliefs that are deeply rooted in their daily lives. One of the significant traditional practices among Bajau Ubian is the custom of sacrifice for the dead. This custom does not only involve religious aspects but is also mixed with elements of traditional beliefs inherited from their ancestors (Zaimie Sahibil, 2024). The implementation of the sacrificial custom is seen as an obligation that must be fulfilled by the family of the deceased to ensure that the spirit of the departed can safely go to Padang Masyhar using the ride in the form of the sacrificial animal (Sahibil, 2016). </span></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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ADAT ROMBAK DAPUR BAGI WANITA SELEPAS BERSALIN
<p>Rombak Dapur is a traditional practice in Malay society, specifically related to postpartum care for mothers. It is a ritual performed at the end of the confinement period, which typically lasts between 40 to 45 days. This practice involves the "closing" of the special hearth used for berdiang (warming by the fire) or bersalai (smoke treatment), where embers that have been burning since before the mother gave birth are extinguished.</p><p><br></p><p>According to local beliefs, Rombak Dapur is performed on odd days after the confinement period, such as the 39th, 41st, or 43rd day. These odd days are believed to bring good fortune and well-being to the mother and baby. Odd days hold special significance in Malay traditions due to their perceived spiritual importance and blessings.</p><div><br></div> ...
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- 2007
MAKYONG (KELANTAN)
<p>Makyong is one of the traditional Malay performing arts that is highly unique and refined in nature. It integrates elements of dance, music, drama, singing, ritual, and comedy into a circular theatrical form that is both dramatic and narrative. Originally, its performers were composed entirely of young and beautiful women who played both male and female roles, except for the comedic characters known as peran. The exclusive selection of female performers was closely tied to its function as entertainment within the royal courts, specifically for queens, princesses, and female nobility. This practice arose out of concern that the presence of male performers, particularly during the absence of kings or noblemen attending to state matters, might lead to romantic entanglements.</p><p>The origins of Makyong can be traced back at least 200 years, based on records in the Hikayat Patani, which state that it first developed at the Yala palace of the Pattani Kingdom before spreading to Kelantan. From there, it expanded to Kedah, Singapore, the Riau Archipelago, and the Johor-Riau-Lingga Sultanate. Initially, Makyong was performed exclusively at royal courts, particularly among the aristocracy. Documentation of Makyong performances can also be found in Syair Perkawinan Anak Kapitan Cina written by Encik Abdullah in 1277 Hijrah (1860 AD), which describes the wedding of Engku Puteri Raja Hamidah and the son of a Chinese Kapitan.</p><p>However, with the arrival of the British in Kelantan in the early 20th century, the economic and political power of the royal elite declined, which led to Makyong spreading to the villages, no longer under royal patronage. This development resulted in changes to the form of Makyong performances during its second generation (following the great Bah Air Merah flood of 1926 until the 1950s).</p><p>In 2005, UNESCO recognized Makyong as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, an acknowledgment that elevated the importance of this art form in the context of global cultural heritage. This recognition further reinforced Makyong's significance in preserving Malay cultural identity and heritage. Today, various parties are actively involved in documentation, training of successors, and preservation efforts to ensure that the original form of Makyong continues to be passed down to future generations.</p><div><br></div> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA MASYARAKAT INDIA: PERKAHWINAN: SEBELUM MAJLIS PERKAHWINAN
<p>Each community and ethnic group has its own special wedding customs based on their tribe and tradition. Therefore, it is not surprising that Indian society also has very unique and different marriage customs from other races.</p><div><br></div> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA MASYARAKAT MELAYU: ADAT MENURUNKAN PUKAT BAHARU
<p>The tradition of launching a new boat is one of the important ceremonies in the culture and life of the Malay community, especially among fishing communities. This process not only involves the physical activity of lowering the boat into the sea but also a ritual filled with symbolism and deep meaning, closely linked to beliefs, maritime life, and the relationship between humans and nature.</p><div><br></div> ...
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