LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
Search Filters : 423
MAIN PETERI
<p>Main Peteri, or Main Teghi in Kelantan dialect, is a form of traditional medicinal rite to cure those possessed by spirits. The Kelantanese called main teghi their authentic art. Intertwining custom, performance arts and medicinal ritual, this rite is popular among the Kelantan-Pattani Malay community since a long time ago. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>There are various versions of stories narrating the origin of main teghi. But historians offer no accurate data on it, thus one has to rely on oral sources for reference.</p><p><br></p><p>Main teghi is exciting as it combines four elements of art: acting, singing, dancing and music. It also contains the Islamic outlook, magical hint and ritual element. </p><p><br></p><p>The leader of the performance is Tok Teghi. He is an intermediary between the patient with the possessing spirit. In the ritual, the Tok Teghi will undergo a change of characters such as into a cruel or fierce person, or an old voice or a young character. His voice will turn from smooth to hoarse, fearful to intimidating, and into various other characters to describe the pain of the patient.</p><p><br></p><p>Main teghi is performed mostly in Kelantan. Many think that it needs to be performed in other parts of Malaysia for others to watch, thus preserving its existence.</p><div><br></div> ...
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ALANG RA ILLAU
<p>Alang Ra Illau is a traditional dance of the Murut ethnic from the Tahol tribe, predominantly residing in the districts of Nabawan, Pensiangan, and Tenom. The term ‘Alang’ means "to dance," while ‘Illau’ refers to a ceremonial exchange of forest produce, such as fruits, between villages. Accordingly, the dance portrays movements that mimic the act of picking low-hanging fruits, which are easily accessible. Female dancers sometimes carry baskets, locally known as ‘Basung’, slung over their backs to collect the harvested fruits. These fruits are then exchanged with villagers or neighbouring communities.</p> ...
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RODAT
<p>Rodat is one of the traditional performance arts of the Malay community, which is closely associated with the state of Terengganu. It combines elements of music, singing, dance, and zikir (Islamic devotional recitation), reflecting the strong influence of Islam on Malay cultural arts. The name "Rodat" is believed to have originated from the Arabic word Hadrat, which means "presence" in a zikir gathering. Additionally, in Arabic vocabulary, the word Rodat also conveys meanings such as commuting, alternating, reuniting, or responding, which indirectly reflects the performance pattern that often involves call-and-response elements between singers and musicians.</p><p>Historically, there are several versions concerning the origins of rodat in Terengganu. Some accounts state that rodat was introduced by traders from Aceh and the Middle East who conducted trade along the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia around the early 19th century. At the same time, records indicate that traders from Sambas and Pontianak in West Kalimantan also came to Terengganu for the purpose of trading goods such as budu (fermented fish sauce), songket (handwoven brocade), and various utensils. The crew members who docked would gather in groups of around 20 people, singing (rodat) accompanied by a musical instrument known as the rebana tar until late at night. The melodious rhythm of zikir and their harmonious singing, accompanied by the beat of the rebana, captivated the local population and inspired them to learn the performance. From there, rodat began to flourish and became ingrained in the Terengganu community.</p><p>In Kuala Terengganu, Pasir Panjang Village and Gong Tok Nasek were identified as the initial locations for the dissemination of rodat. As it developed, it spread to other villages such as Surau Panjang, Beladau, Kepong, Paya Resak, and several other areas. Furthermore, in the Kemaman district, rodat is believed to have been introduced by an artist named Tuan Mandok from Beserah, Pahang, around 1936. He passed on his knowledge of the performance to Ayah Leh (Salleh), and subsequently to Ayah Teh (Tuan Haji Abdul Wahab), who then further developed the art form among the local youth.</p><p>In its early stages, rodat performances were exclusively conducted by men, focusing on the recitation of selawat (praises for the Prophet), zikir, and praises to Allah SWT and the Prophet Muhammad SAW. The performances were usually held privately inside homes and performed on mattresses. However, as the audience grew in number, the performances were moved to larger spaces such as sheds or open stages to accommodate the increasing number of spectators.</p><div><br></div><div><br></div> ...
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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 MENGARANG MENYAK
<p>Mengarang Menyak is a traditional dance of the Melanau ethnic group. This dance reflects the lives of the Melanau people who reside along the coastal areas of Sarawak and symbolizes the process of menyak, one of the methods used to produce sago flour, known locally as sei.</p><p><br></p><p>The dance movements encompass all the activities involved in sago processing, including cutting, scraping, and trampling or pressing the sago palm to extract its pulp, known as tepung lemantak, which is then processed into sago. The dance also portrays the spirit of cooperation between men and women, working together harmoniously and joyfully as they perform their daily tasks.</p><div><br></div> ...
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MUZIK PERGENDANGAN GORDANG SAMBILAN
<p>Sambilan means nine, which is the number of drums in a performance of Gordang Sambilan. This drumming is a traditional art originating in Mandailing, Sumatera, Indonesia. In these days and age, gordang sambilan has become a part of Malaysian culture, performed by gordang sambilan enthusiasts in Selangor. </p><p><br></p><p>To play, one needs nine large, elongated drums to be played by ten people. The drums differ from one another when lined up closely. Accompanied by other instruments like gong, cak lempong, sesayak and flutes, the beating of the nine drums turn into is a delightful piece of music, resonating vivid rhythmic beats.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN BHARATANATYAM (PULAU PINANG)
<p>Tarian Bharatanatyam is a distinguished Tamil traditional dance that originates in Tamil Nadu, India. Meanwhile, the term ‘bharatanatyam’ is a combination of four syllables: ‘bha’ (bhava for expression), ‘ra’ (raga, music), ‘ta’ (tala, rhythm) and ‘natyam’ (dramatic dance art), created by an Indian dance teacher, E. Krishna Iyer, in the mid-1930s. And it was improved by another dance teacher, Rukminidevi Arundale.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Their dance techniques adhere to those mentioned in the text of Natyashastra, the official manual of traditional arts (drama, dance and music) in India, written by Bharata Muni about 2500 years ago. </p><p><br></p><p>Historically, bharatanatyam was danced only by temples girls, the devadasi. These girls’ vow was to abstain from marriage for the rest of their lives, and they danced the bharatanatyam in the temple to show their devotion to God.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN LABI-LABI
<p>Tarian Labi-Labi (Labi-Labi Dance) is one of the traditional dances of the Malay community, originating from Terengganu, Malaysia. This dance is inspired by the movements and characteristics of the softshell turtle (labi-labi), a creature commonly found in the rivers and waterways of the region. It is a folk dance filled with humor and entertainment, making it a popular form of traditional performance.</p><p><br></p><p>The Labi-Labi Dance is believed to have originated from the fishing communities in Terengganu. It was created to illustrate the relationship between humans and nature, particularly the softshell turtle, which was a part of daily life. This dance is typically performed during social gatherings, cultural festivals, and traditional ceremonies, serving as a source of entertainment for the community.</p><p><br></p><p>Theme and Meaning of the Dance</p><p>The central theme of this dance revolves around the life of the softshell turtle, emphasizing its slow, cautious, yet intelligent nature. The dance often incorporates elements of humor, reflecting the daily lives of fishermen and their interactions with this animal. Additionally, it symbolizes the spirit of cooperation (gotong-royong) and unity within the Malay community.</p><div><br></div> ...
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MUZIK TRADISI BERTITIK BAJAU SAMA
<p>Traditional music bertitik is a heritage treasure played at weddings by Kota Belud Bajau community, </p><p><br></p><p>This music is to announce that there is a wedding nearby. The vilagers will hear bertitik music in the evening before and during the henna night. Then it plays again during the marriage ceremony as the bride and groom are celebrated. </p><p><br></p><p>However, bertitik music cannot be performed at bad times. Neither nor it be played during the 40-day mourning (death). If it is still played, tragedies will befall all in the village. </p><div><br></div> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM KEDAYAN: ADAT PERKAHWINAN
<p>The Kedayan community is one of the ethnic minorities in Sabah who mostly live in the districts of Sipitang, Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, and the Federal Territory of Labuan. The majority of this ethnic group is Muslim and uses the Kedayan language of Brunei as the main spoken language, which is similar to the Malay dialect of Brunei but has differences in terms of intonation and vocabulary. One of the uniqueness of their cultural identity is the wedding customs that are rich in traditional values and their own symbolism.</p> ...
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TARIAN LANGI PINYAMBUT
<p>Langi Pinyambut is a traditional dance passed down through generations by the ancestors of the Bidayuh community in Sarawak. This dance is typically performed during the harvest season. In fact, this traditional dance is a mandatory performance during the Gawai Dayak Festival to celebrate the harvest of rice crops. The dance holds a very special and specific purpose as to honour the rice harvest brought in from the fields that have been cultivated over time. At the same time, the dance serves as an expression of gratitude and a prayer to God, with the hope that the rice yield will be sufficient to sustain the community throughout the year.</p> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM IBAN: ADAT KEMATIAN
<p>In the Iban community, death and burial ceremonies involve a range of taboos and specific, unique procedures that must be executed thoroughly. Each taboo and ritual must be followed and carried out with precision. This is essential for respecting the deceased, ensuring that their soul remains calm and at peace. The Iban people also believe that if these practices are not conducted as required, various calamities and misfortunes will befall the residents in the area.</p> ...
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