CULTURAL MAPPING PORTAL

Pulau Pinang

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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA MASYARAKAT CINA PERANAKAN DI PULAU PINANG

The Peranakan Chinese, also known as Baba Nyonya, began establishing their ethnic lineage during the era of the Malay Melaka Sultanate. This community emerged when Chinese traders (men) married local Malay women or Javanese girls. Over time, this lineage flourished in the Straits Settlements following the arrival of the British, resulting in a significant population of Peranakan Chinese in Melaka, Penang, and Singapore.The men who initiated these intermarriages were predominantly of Han descent, who migrated to the Straits of Melaka for trade and eventually assimilated into Malay culture through these unions. This cultural blend is reflected in their attire: Peranakan Chinese women, or Nyonya, wear the Kebaya Nyonya, a short kebaya (Malay influence) paired with batik fabrics featuring animal and floral motifs (a mix of Malay and Chinese styles). Meanwhile, the men, or Baba, retained traditional Chinese clothing.The Peranakan Chinese have a unique culinary tradition. Their snacks, referred to as kueh, include delicacies like kuih bakul, kuih rotan, and kuih chang, often stored in siah (tiffin carriers) and closely tied to Chinese traditions. On the other hand, their main dishes, such as asam pedas, laksa, and kari Nyonya, reflect strong Malay culinary influences. In Melaka, the term Peranakan remains widely used, whereas in Penang, they are more commonly known as Baba Nyonya. The terms "Baba" and "Nyonya" originated as familial titles for male and female children of Peranakan parents, respectively, and eventually became identifiers for the community.Although Malay customs are deeply ingrained in Peranakan Chinese culture, most members of this community do not practice Islam. Instead, they celebrate Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, and other traditional Chinese festivities. They also enjoy social dances like joget lambak, a reflection of their historical status as a respected group often invited to colonial-era celebrations with the British and Portuguese. This esteemed status earned them the nickname "King's Chinese" during colonial times. The Peranakan Chinese are known for their linguistic versatility, fluently speaking Malay, Chinese, and English. This multilingual ability highlights their adaptability and social standing during colonial times.Peranakan Chinese weddings are vibrant affairs that blend Chinese heritage with Malay customs. Key elements include:Betel Nut Box Ceremony: Symbolizing the bride’s purity.Dowry Presentation: Given to the bride’s parents as a token of gratitude for raising her with virtue.Ring Exchange: A mutual exchange of rings by the bride and groom.Flower Scattering and Incense Rituals: Adding a touch of solemnity and tradition.The wedding is enlivened with Dondang Sayang songs and beautiful Malay pantuns (poetry). Sometimes, a pantun duel and symbolic toll gate set up by the Mak Andam (traditional wedding consultant) occur before the groom is allowed to join his bride on the dais.Guests are invited to participate in traditional dances such as joget lambak, fan dances, handkerchief dances, bowl dances, and orange dances, adding a unique and festive flair to the event. The Peranakan Chinese uphold strict cultural norms, prohibiting any interaction between the bride and groom before marriage. The Chim Pang ceremony serves as their formal meeting before the wedding day. During this ritual, both families light candles at a table, and the bride and groom sit facing each other as if meeting for the first time.One of the most interesting aspects of Peranakan wedding traditions is the 12th and final day of celebrations, where nasi lemak is a mandatory dish. A designated cook, known as the Bibi Nasi Lemak, ensures the dish is perfectly prepared. This day marks the end of public festivities, leading to the Che Umm ceremony—a formal meal shared by the newlyweds and their in-laws to signify the establishment of a new family.The Peranakan Chinese customs and traditions offer a fascinating glimpse into the harmonious blend of Chinese and Malay cultures, creating a unique and enduring heritage.<div> </div> ...

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10601

No 33 Persiaran Perpaduan 3, Taman Perpaduan, 3...

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MUZIK GAMELAN JAWA

Gamelan Jawa has its own history. The presence of Gamelan Jawa in Malaysia is closely related to the arrival of the Jawa people to Johor. They perform gamelan with ancient puppets and dances such as Tari Kifrah, Serimpi Lilin, Butterfly, and Cakil. Gamelan musical instruments are also used to accompany Riog, Barungan, and Kuda Kepang performances. Gamelan music is often played at weddings, circumcisions, and other events.This type of gamelan can be found in Johor, Selangor, and the Federal Territory. Gamelan Jawa music serves as folk entertainment and is not limited to palace performances only.<div> </div> ...

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2754

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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM KADAZANDUSUN SUKU DUSUN SUBPAN: ADAT PERKAHWINAN

The Dusun Subpan tribe is a sub-ethnic group within the Kadazan-Dusun community, residing along the Segama River in the Lahad Datu district in Sabah. This tribe is well-known for its strong agrarian culture, particularly hill paddy cultivation, as well as the planting of cassava and bananas. They also participate in hunting and fishing activities in the Segama River area. Like other Kadazan-Dusun sub-ethnic groups, the Dusun Subpan remains deeply rooted in their customary laws and beliefs, including traditional marriage practices, which are still observed today.<div> </div> ...

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5991

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KOMPANG (PAHANG)

Kompang is one of the most iconic traditional musical instruments closely associated with Malay culture, including in the state of Pahang. This instrument is not only played to accompany special events, but it also reflects the rich artistic heritage and traditions of the Malay community. Below is the history and background of Kompang in Pahang:Origins of KompangArab InfluenceKompang is believed to have been introduced by Arab traders and Islamic preachers in the 13th or 14th century through maritime trade in the Nusantara region.The name "kompang" is thought to have originated from the Arabic word "darbuka," which refers to a percussion instrument that is struck.Spread in the Malay WorldKompang became integrated into Malay traditions following the arrival of Islam. It was used to welcome Islamic preachers, in religious ceremonies, and during traditional events.In Pahang, kompang has been used in various ceremonies since the time of the Malacca Sultanate (15th century), which also influenced Pahang’s cultural practices.Local AdaptationAlthough it originated from the Middle East, the shape, playing style, and rhythm of kompang have been adapted to local culture.In Pahang, kompang is played with distinctive rhythms and styles, reflecting the identity and heritage of the local Malay community.<div> </div> ...

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18432

Pertubuhan Kesenian Tradisional Dabus Tanjung B...

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TARIAN BUBU MENARI

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.   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 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.   At present, the original tarian bubu is still performed but with a slight variation to suit the current community’s interest, outlook and preference.<div> </div> ...

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3546

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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA MASYARAKAT MAH MERI KELAHIRAN: SELEPAS BAYI DILAHIRKAN

The Mah Meri tribe, one of the Orang Asli groups in Malaysia, has rich and unique customs in every aspect of their lives, including birth ceremonies and baby naming. The naming process in the Mah Meri culture involves important customs that aim to safeguard the baby's well-being and protect it from the interference of evil spirits.The Mah Meri community is one of the Orang Asli groups living in Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in the coastal areas of Selangor, such as Carey Island. They belong to the Senoi tribe and are known for their rich cultural heritage, including the internationally renowned art of wooden mask carving.As a society that greatly respects the environment, Mah Meri's traditional beliefs are closely related to nature and the spirits of ancestors. They believe that every aspect of life, including birth and naming, has a connection with the spiritual world and requires the blessing and protection of the ancestral spirits.In the context of the moment after the birth of a child from a married couple, naming is an important ceremony because the Mah Meri community believes that there is a spiritual power that protects the baby from any threat, including the interference of evil spirits. This process is done with custom and tradition, reflecting their deep belief in the balance between man, nature, and spirit.<div> </div> ...

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2406

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TUAN HAJI MD ISMAIL BIN JAMJAM @ ZAMZAM

Tuan Haji Md Ismail bin Jamjam @ Zamzam is a prolific writer from Johor, actively contributing across various literary genres, including poetry, novels, drama, short stories, textbooks, and song lyrics. His notable works include Perempuan Yang Kutemui in Antologi Puisi PPJ (1973), Merentas Lima Dasawarsa (Antologi Puisi Pilihan 1960–2015) published by ITBM KL (2017), and Rakaman Ombak (2019). Additionally, he has contributed to over 25 collaborative poetry anthologies, such as Sayang Adik Sayang – DPB (1975) and Kasut Hitler – Utusan Publication (1996).<div> </div> ...

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1052

Kam Kam Riverside Joyful Garden, Kampung Bongku...

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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM KADAZANDUSUN SUKU KADAZAN PAPAR – PANTANG LARANG KAPATAZON (KEMATIAN)

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. ...

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5857

Kampung Kores, Batu Pahat, Johor

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ZAPIN KORES DANCE

The Zapin Kores Dance represents a distinctive facet of Malay zapin heritage originating from Kampung Kores, Batu Pahat, Johor. The term "Kores" is derived from a local expression that symbolises the curving bends of a river, resembling the curves of a kris blade. This artistic tradition exemplifies the continuity of local heritage reinterpreted through indigenous aesthetic values. The dance was first introduced by Haji Husin Ahmad, who acquired his knowledge from Dollah Pak Besar, a villager from Kampung Kores. Dollah Pak Besar, a trader specialising in betel nuts, frequently travelled to Sumatra, Indonesia, for commerce. During these visits, he studied zapin and subsequently returned to Kampung Kores, adapting the art form to reflect local cultural nuances and preferences.<div> </div> ...

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2269

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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA SEBELUM PERKAHWINAN MASYARAKAT CINA: UPACARA MEMINANG

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. 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. The structure of customs before marriage in Chinese society: Surveying CustomProposing CeremonyEngagement Custom<div> </div> ...

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2301

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UMAI

Umai is a traditional dish of the Melanau community based on seafood, particularly fish and shrimp. The main ingredient for umai is raw fish for preparing fish umai, while raw shrimp is used for preparing shrimp umai. For making fish umai, the Melanau people often choose parang fish, white pomfret, empirang fish, shark, and terubok fish. Meanwhile, for shrimp umai, smaller-sized shrimp are typically the preferred choice. The fish and shrimp must be cleaned and mixed with other ingredients consisting of shallots, onions, chili, lime juice, and ginger, as well as other additional ingredients according to individual taste. If using fish as the main ingredient, the fish meat is usually thinly sliced first. The shallots, onions, garlic, chili, and ginger must be pounded and mashed to be thoroughly mixed with the sliced fish prepared earlier. Similarly, if using small shrimp as the main ingredient, the shrimp must be mixed until well-blended with the pounded or blended ingredients to add flavour to the fish and shrimp. The squeezed lime juice can provide a sour taste to enhance the deliciousness of the umai. The amount of juice needed depends on personal preference, but generally, most umai preparers choose to make it slightly spicy and tangy to taste. ...

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3007

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CEREMONY HAIR-CUTTING

Adat Potong Jambul is a Malay tradition in Johor that signifies a significant milestone in a baby's life. This ceremony is typically held on the 40th day after birth, coinciding with the end of the mother's confinement period, or on the seventh day, depending on local customs.During the event, relatives and neighbours gather to recite doa selamat and perform collective berzanji. After the recitations, the baby is brought into the main hall to undergo the ceremonial hair-cutting, known as potong jambul.This tradition embodies cultural and spiritual practices, reflecting values of familial bonding, community ties, and blessings for the newborn's future.<div> </div> ...

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2701

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