LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
Search Filters : 423
MADUPPA BURASAK DANCE
<p>The Maduppa Busarak dance is a traditional performance art of the Bugis ethnic community, originating from Pontian, Johor. This dance serves as a symbolic gesture of respect and honour towards distinguished guests, embodying the core values of hospitality and cordiality inherent in Bugis cultural practices. The name of the dance is derived from two key terms: Maduppa, signifying ‘to invite’ or ‘to welcome,’ and Busarak, referring to a serving tray embellished with a small, ornate cover.</p><p><br></p><p>The dance was first introduced by Hajah Indok Chichuk Daing Hadadek, a prominent cultural figure from Kampung Sungai Kuali, Kukup, Pontian. Her significant contributions have cemented the Maduppa Busarak dance as an integral component of the cultural heritage in Johor.</p><div><br></div> ...
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GENDANG PAHANG
<p>Gendang Pahang is traditional musical arts influenced by Islamic music. Gendang is a Malay word for drum, a type of musical instrument made of wood. The drum is struck with a round-shaped end stick. The drummers are known as pemukul gendang (the ones who beat the drums). So important the drummer is, a royal drummer is given a special title named Kulup Raja. </p><p><br></p><p>Gendang Pahang was introduced after the outbreak of civil war in Chenor, Pahang in 1857. Later, it began to gain popularity in several areas such as Jerantut, Kuala Lipis, Pekan, Chenor and Temerloh, whereas in other areas, it unfortunately became extinct. In certain regions, the preference for home-grown rhythms more than those from other places retains the local tunes for generations, thus preserving it.</p><p><br></p><p>This music is believed to have been introduced by Dato' Purba Jelai and continued by his three generations, paving the way to be enjoyed in other areas.</p><p><br></p><p>Played by men and women, it generally begins with opening beats that flow into the common beats and ends with the end (‘kill’) beats. Meanwhile there are also other beats. It also has its own special song known as Bujang Hilir. The other popular songs often played are the Samaderas, Kambing Berlaga, Lenggang Janda, Bujang Hilir and Raja Berangkat. The Gendang Pahang is played at weddings and palace events. It is also performed to accompany the silat performances and Inai dances. </p><div><br></div> ...
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AWANG BATIL
<p>Awang Batil is a Perlis art of musical storytelling. This art is performed by a narrator, the penglipur lara, known as Awang Batil. He narrates stories while tapping a bronze pot (made to store water). The tapping is the background music of the narration.</p><p><br></p><p>Initially, Awang Batil was known as Awang Belanga because instead of tapping a pot, he did a belanga. However, the belanga was filled with coal, thus later it was replaced with a batil, a copper container. Back in the day, Awang Batil travelled through villages especially those having weddings to tell his stories. </p><div><br></div> ...
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KERTUK ULU
<p>Kertuk Ulu is a unique form of traditional music found exclusively in the Hulu Terengganu district, specifically in Kampung Baong, Kuala Berang. Originally known as "Gendang Batak", it is believed to have been created by the renowned warrior Mat Kilau during his stay in the area. While waiting for his upland rice (padi huma) to ripen, Mat Kilau used bamboo stalks to create rhythmic sounds to scare away birds that disturbed the crops. Over time, these sounds evolved into a drumming rhythm associated with silat martial arts, which became known as Gendang Batak, as no official name existed at that time.</p><p><br></p><p>In its earliest form, the music was performed using only silat-style drum rhythms without the accompaniment of other musical instruments. However, in 2002, efforts to revive and reintroduce this musical art were spearheaded by Tuan Haji Ali bin Ismail, together with local villagers. Their efforts were supported and advised by several cultural practitioners and officers from the Terengganu branch of the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN). Recognizing that the term "Gendang Batak" was less appropriate, the name was officially changed to "Kertuk Ulu" in 2004.</p><p><br></p><p>Following this rebranding, the Kertuk Ulu ensemble began to gain greater prominence and was showcased in various locations across Terengganu under the promotion of JKKN Terengganu. To popularize the performance further and appeal to a wider audience, additional musical instruments were introduced, creating a more harmonious and dynamic sound. Moreover, the repertoire has been expanded to include popular songs, such as dikir barat melodies, to attract younger generations and adapt the performances to contemporary tastes.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN SUMAZAU
<p>Sumazau is an iconic traditional dance of the Kadazandusun ethnic community in Sabah. This dance is often performed during the Kaamatan Festival (Harvest Festival), which is celebrated annually on May 31 as a tribute to ‘Bambaazon’ (the spirit of rice) after the harvest season. This dance, also known as Sumayau in the Dusun language, is closely related to the word ‘Minsayau,’ referring to dancing with hopping movements.</p><p><br></p><p>The origin of this dance is associated with the movements of an eagle spreading its wings in the air, particularly over the golden rice fields during the harvest season. Inspired by these eagle movements, the Sumazau dance adopts similar motion patterns. This dance is performed in pairs, with male and female dancers, and is not limited to a specific number of participants.</p> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA MASYARAKAT INDIA: KELAHIRAN SELEPAS BERSALIN
<p>Malaysian Indians are Malaysian citizens of Indian descent. A large number migrated to Malaysia during the British colonial era in Malaya. However, historical evidence shows that Indians have begun to settle in Malaysia since the heyday of the Chola Dynasty. Nowadays, they are the third largest race in Malaysia after the Malays and Chinese. In addition, they also have their own customs and culture, such as the custom of waiting until the birth of a child for pregnant women.</p><div><br></div> ...
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KOMPANG (PULAU PINANG)
<p>The kompang is one of the most basic and popular traditional Malay percussion instruments. It is typically played or struck in groups. This musical instrument is believed to be an assimilation of culture brought into the Malay world by the Arabs and Persians in the 15th century during the Melaka Sultanate. The kompang or percussion is played to accompany the gambus. Uniquely, this instrument reflects the culture of the Muslim community, as it is widely known from the Middle East to the entire Malay archipelago.</p><div><br></div><div>Originally, Arab and Persian traders who waited for the monsoon winds settled in Melaka and played musical instruments such as the rebana and other percussion instruments to pass the time and engage in religious songs, praising the greatness of God. Later, as the Malay community assimilated with the Arab and Persian cultures, the kompang (which resembles the rebana) was created. Local craftsmen, skilled in making kompang, used animal hides to ensure that the surface was hard when struck. The drumhead (the front of the kompang) is made from goat skin, which is attached to the body of the drum (the frame) with a rattan cord, securing the skin and the wooden frame, and nails are used to ensure tightness. This method also ensures that the sound of the kompang is louder when the surface is tight. Unlike today, the sound of most kompang is no longer as strong because plastic has replaced animal skin. Additionally, the sound is different, as plastic and animal skins naturally produce different tones.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div> ...
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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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KERONCONG DI SELANGOR
<p>Keroncong is a form of traditional music believed to have originated in Indonesia, particularly in Java, and has since evolved into a significant component of the traditional musical landscape in Malaysia. It is widely recognized for its gentle and soothing melodies, typically performed using plucked and bowed instruments. According to the Kamus Dewan (Third Edition), Keroncong is defined as a Malay musical rhythm and song style characterized by softness and melodiousness.</p><p><br></p><p>The history of Keroncong music dates back to the 16th century, when Portuguese colonizers introduced instruments such as the cavaquinho and guitar to local communities in the Malay Archipelago. This foreign influence eventually contributed to the emergence of a new musical genre, which is Keroncong. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Keroncong began to spread to Malaysia through the migration of Javanese communities to the Malay Peninsula, particularly to <span style="display: inline !important;">Selangor and the western coastal regions. These migrants brought with them their cultural heritage, including Keroncong music, which was warmly received by local society. Over time, Keroncong in Selangor underwent a natural evolution, incorporating local elements while preserving the essence of its original form.</span></p><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.7px; display: inline !important;"><br></span></div><div><br></div> ...
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KUIH DANGAI
<div>Kuih Dangai is a traditional Malaysian dessert that is especially popular in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in the state of Perlis. This delicacy is made from a mixture of grated coconut, glutinous rice flour, and sugar (usually palm sugar), and is then baked in a special mould that produces a crispy outer layer and a soft, chewy interior. The fragrant aroma of roasted coconut makes this kuih a favourite treat, especially when served during afternoon tea or as a light dessert.</div><div><br></div><div><div>In terms of origin, Kuih Dangai is believed to have emerged from the creativity of rural communities who made use of locally available ingredients such as coconut and glutinous rice flour. It was traditionally prepared during festive seasons or communal gatherings, often carried out in the spirit of ‘Gotong-Royong’ (communal cooperation). The process of baking over charcoal requires a certain skill to control the heat and ensure that the kuih is evenly cooked without burning. However, today, many opt to use modern appliances such as ovens and air fryers to simplify the baking process and save time.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>This kuih is also known as "Kuih Rangin" in several southern states like Johor and Melaka, with slight variations in flavour profiles and preparation methods. The spread of Kuih Dangai across Malaysia reflects its broad acceptance and enduring status as part of the Malay culinary heritage, particularly rooted in the state of Perlis.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>Although Kuih Dangai is becoming increasingly rare in urban areas, there remains a dedicated group of traditional food enthusiasts and small-scale vendors striving to preserve this heritage through online sales, farmers’ markets, and heritage food promotion programmes for passionate lovers of traditional sweets.</div></div> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM ORANG ULU: ADAT MAKAN TAHUN
<p>Adat Makan Tahun is an annual ceremony typically held between May and July. This joyous feast is conducted to express gratitude to God for the blessings received. For the Orang Ulu community, the focus is on rice cultivation, an essential agricultural product and staple food. Therefore, aside from giving thanks for a bountiful harvest, the ceremony is also intended to ensure an abundance of crops in the coming years. To this day, the Makan Tahun ceremony continues to be celebrated, even among those in the Orang Ulu community who no longer engage in rice cultivation.</p> ...
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