LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
Search Filters : 430
ZAPIN GHALIT DANCE
<p>In general, Tarian Zapin is more in vogue in Johore. Nevertheless, the Kedahan do dance it, which is named Zapin Ghalit or Ghalet. </p><p><br></p><p>‘Zapin’ is from an Arabic word, ‘zafn’ (Kamus Besar Arab-Melayu, 2000, dewan Bahasa Pustaka). While when a male has moved his legs fast following a melody, which is dancing, is ‘zaffana’. The Malays pronounce it ‘zapin’, simply referring to the dance.</p><p><br></p><p>In Kedah dialect, ‘ghalit’ means careless, not alert, or complacent. Therefore, the zapin ghalit choreography displays the moves portraying this laid-back life.</p><p><br></p><p>To begin with, tarian zapin is influenced by Arab culture, thus in the old days, danced only by men. Then too, it was educational, used as a medium to preach Islam through its poems and songs.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Zapin ghalit was initially an entertainment at Johore royal courts, brought from Hadramaut, Yemen, by Arab traders to Johore in the early 16th century. </p><p><br></p><p>As times and perception change, zapin has turned to become Malay culture in the Malay Archipelago, especially the Malay Peninsula. Thus there is a shift in the tide too where women are included in the dance. </p><p><br></p><p>The large-scale migration of Yemenis to Johore in the 19th century has formed two zapins: Arab and Malay. The original dance had gone through changes inspired by the Yemenis in Johore which eventually produced these two dances.</p><div><br></div> ...
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PULUT KUKUS IKAN MASIN
<p>Pulut Kukus Ikan Masin, or glutinous rice with fried salted fish, is a popular delicacy in Perlis and in the Northern states of Semenanjung Malaysia. It is a common breakfast dish for those in Perlis. This dish is made of steamed glutinous rice and fried salted fish. Usually the salted fish are ikan gelama and ikan tamban. Pulut kukus becomes more appetizing when paired with fresh grated coconut, which the locals call nyok (in their dialects).</p> ...
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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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SHADOW PUPPET THEATRE DANCE
<p>Wayang Kulit Purwo, also known as Wayang Kulit Jawa, is a form of traditional shadow puppet theatre originating from Java, Indonesia, and brought to Malaysia by Javanese migrant communities. This performance art uses intricately carved leather puppets to depict characters from Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as Panji stories.</p><p>Believed to have originated in Java over 1,500 years BCE, Wayang Kulit Purwo was created by Javanese ancestors for ritualistic purposes. In Malaysia, it was introduced by Javanese communities migrating to states like Johor and Selangor. The performance retains many traditional Javanese elements, including the language and gamelan music.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN BAKANJAR
<p>Bakanjar is a traditional dance from the Dusun Tatana tribe in the Kuala Penyu, Sabah. This dance reflects the art of self-defence and bravery, making it a form of war dance in the Tatana culture. It is performed exclusively by men, showcasing dynamic and symbolic movements, and is often presented at various events, especially during wedding ceremonies. In addition to symbolising the spirit of heroism, Bakanjar also serves as a tribute to the traditions and heritage of the Tatana ancestors, inspiring the annual Odou Bakanjar Festival, celebrated by the Dusun Tatana community in the Kuala Penyu district.</p> ...
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KUIH SOPANG REBUS
<p>Kuih Sopang Rebus is a traditional Negeri Sembilan cake. The name comes from its shape, a flattened ball dough making it appear ‘half’ a ball or ‘separuh’ in Bahasa Melayu but pronounced ‘sopaghoh’ in the Negeri Sembilan dialect. Thus came the term ’sopang’. </p><p><br></p><p>This delicacy is made of glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, and salt, with a filling of grated young coconut. The dough is balled then flattened, filled with fillet, then delicately folded to resemble a curry puff. They are placed orderly in a container. The container then is put on the wooden sticks lining the pot with boiling water for steaming. The term sopang rebus is rather a misnomer because ’rebus’ means boiled. But the cake is just steamed, not boiled. </p><p><br></p><p>Kueh sopang is a favourite at breakfast, afternoon tea or breaking fast (as dessert) in the fasting month of Ramadhan. </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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KOMPANG (PERAK)
<p>The Kompang is a percussion instrument categorized as a membranophone, specifically a single-headed drum. It is believed to have originated from the Middle East, as evidenced by the Arabic lyrics often sung during its performance, which serve to deliver praises and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).</p><div><br></div><div><div>The history of the Kompang in the Malay Peninsula is believed to date back to the 14th century during the Malacca Sultanate era. It was introduced by Indian Muslim traders as a form of entertainment and a signal marking the arrival of their ships in the Straits of Malacca. The Kompang was then performed as a gift and a special presentation to the Sultan, symbolizing their presence in Malacca at the time. Another historical account suggests that Kompang music was brought by communities from Java who sailed to Johor in the 13th century. From there, it spread throughout the Malay Archipelago, including Perak, where it became a performance art presented to the Sultan. Over time, the Kompang tradition was taught to palace officials and eventually introduced to the general public.</div><div>In the state of Perak, Kompang performances play a vital role as part of the state's intangible cultural heritage. It is actively performed at events such as weddings, processions, and religious ceremonies. The instrument holds particular significance in districts such as Kuala Kangsar and Bagan Datoh, where many Kompang players come from, having inherited the tradition from their ancestors.</div><div>Efforts to preserve Kompang performances in Perak remain robust, driven by cultural associations and educational institutions committed to keeping this traditional art form relevant in the face of modernization. Recognized as intangible heritage under the National Heritage Act (2005), Perak's Kompang serves as a living testament to the richness of Malay tradition and artistic heritage that continues to be celebrated in the state.</div></div><div><br></div> ...
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AKOK
<p>Akok is a traditional treat loved by Malaysians, especially those in the East Coast. Mildly sweet with the aroma of egg, it comes in two shapes: oval and flower. The flower shape, more known as akok bunga (also known as the Cambodian) is much bigger than the oval. These two shapes follow their moulds when baked. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>The secret to producing this delicious traditional recipe is having the right amount of ingredients and the correct baking technique. The mixture of the flour, egg, brown sugar and coconut milk is delicately filtered to obtain the perfect akok.</p><p><br></p><p>Akok is soft, creamy and less sweet. It is a favourite traditional food of the Kelantanese, a specialty different from the other sweet ones. </p><p><br></p><p>One of the ways to preserve this heritage cooking is to train the young in its tradition and origins of making it. </p><div><br></div> ...
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DATO’ SYED AHMAD JAMAL (SENIMAN NEGARA KE-2)
<p>Dato' Syed Ahmad bin Syed Jamal, born on 19 September 1929 in Bandar Maharani, Muar, Johor, is a distinguished figure in Malaysian art. He received his early education at Sekolah Tambatan Rendah and Sekolah Tambatan Tinggi, followed by Ngee Heng English School, Bukit Zahrah English School, and later at English College, Johor Bahru. He married Datin Hamidah Mohd Noor and had two sons.</p><p>Widely regarded as a pioneer of abstract expressionism in Malaysia, Syed Ahmad Jamal excelled in multiple roles, including artist, art educator, arts administrator, writer, and cultural observer. His contributions over four decades profoundly shaped the development of modern art in the country.</p><div><br></div> ...
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ASAM PEDAS
<p>Asam Pedas is a characteristic cuisine of Malacca. It is not only relished in Malacca but also enjoyed by the Malays in Peninsular Malaysia. Due to cooking and ingredients regionality, there are differences between the taste and texture of the Malacca asam pedas and those in the other states (Hidayatul Akmal Ahmad, 2018). </p><p><br></p><p>This dish is named so due to its bold flavours, sour and spicy, inherited over a large expanse of time. Relishing the piquancy of the spicy asam pedas will perfect one’s visit to Melaka. Loved by all, the asam pedas adds to the thrill of eating, the joy of excursion. </p><div><br></div> ...
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TABOH IBAN
<p>Taboh specifically refers to the sounds produced by the traditional musical instruments of the Iban community, which consist of four main instruments: tawak, gendang, engkerumong, and bebendai.</p><p><br></p><p>Taboh is only played during certain significant times, especially in conjunction with the Hari Gawai Dayak celebration, which is held at the beginning of June each year. Additionally, taboh is also played during the Gawai ritual, which involves calling upon the petara or deities to descend from the sky to the longhouse, during the initiation ceremony for constructing a new longhouse, and for blessing a newly completed longhouse. Taboh is also played during the commemoration of a lunar eclipse, wedding ceremonies, rituals for bathing children in the river, and in times of adversity within the longhouse community, such as when there is a death.</p><p><br></p><p>Taboh features various tempos, which can be somewhat slow, moderate, or fairly fast, as well as different melodies depending on the function and cultural event. The melody or rhythm of taboh also varies among the different Iban subgroups in Sarawak.</p><div><br></div> ...
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