LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
Search Filters : 459
HIDANGAN MASAKAN ASAM PEDAS MELAKA
<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> ...
- 18
- 21
BURASAK
<p>Burasak, also known as buras or burasa, is a traditional dish of the Bugis community made from rice cooked with coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves, and boiled until fully cooked. Resembling lontong, it has a richer flavour due to the use of coconut milk.</p><p>Burasak has been a staple of the Bugis people who settled in the Malay Peninsula since the 16th century, introduced by Bugis traders from the Sulawesi Islands in Indonesia. This dish was a preferred provision for Bugis traders during voyages as it could be stored for long periods.</p><p>In Johor, burasak is now a special delicacy served during festive celebrations such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha. The dish is simple yet wholesome, prepared using basic ingredients like rice, coconut milk, and salt, wrapped in banana leaves and tied with raffia string. Often paired with side dishes such as chicken rendang, it is a satisfying and complete meal.</p> ...
- 0
- -
- 50
TARIAN SI TUBAU
<p>Si Tubau is a traditional dance of the Iranun ethnic community in Sabah, who predominantly reside in the districts of Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and Tuaran. The dance's name originates from the term "Tubau," which refers to woven cloth—a textile art that holds significant cultural value and serves as a source of pride for the Iranun people. This woven cloth is fashioned into various garments, including shirts, skirts, towels, sashes, and trousers. The term "Si Tubau" specifically alludes to Si Tukang Tenun, or the master weaver, an individual highly skilled in the art of weaving this traditional fabric. Consequently, the dance's movements are designed to emulate the motions of weaving cloth.</p> ...
- 1
- -
- 22
JOGET CAK KUN CAK
<p>Joget Cak Kun Cak is a traditional Malaysian dance that developed as a result of Malay cultural influences combined with external elements, such as Javanese and Portuguese performing arts. This dance falls under the genre of Joget, one of the most popular traditional dances in Malaysia, often performed during celebrations and festive occasions.</p><p><br></p><p>The history and origins of Joget Cak Kun Cak are believed to stem from variations of traditional Malay Joget dances that evolved during the colonial period. This dance was significantly influenced by Portuguese dance elements, such as Branyo, introduced by Portuguese traders and sailors in Melaka in the 16th century.</p><p><br></p><p>Joget Cak Kun Cak is named after the sounds produced by its accompanying music, particularly the percussion instruments that mimic the sounds "cak kun cak." This term also resembles the auditory patterns of traditional musical instruments, such as the rebana or gong, which are used to accompany the dance.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 22
BANGSAWAN
<p>Bangsawan theatre is one of the traditional performing arts originating in Southeast Asia and plays a significant role in Malaysia's cultural history. Bangsawan was initially influenced by Persian theatre known as Wayang Parsi, brought to Penang by traders and travelers from India in the late 19th century. Over time, this theatre style was adapted with local Malay cultural elements, making it a unique form of entertainment. A Bangsawan performance typically incorporates acting, singing, music, and dancing, blended into a dramatic theatrical production. Its stories often draw inspiration from Indian epics, Malay folklore, history, and fables rich in moral lessons.</p><p><br></p><p>The early history of Bangsawan theatre is linked to the establishment of theatre troupes such as Wayang Parsi by the Nawab family from India, which later evolved into the first Bangsawan troupe in Penang. Initially, Bangsawan gained immense popularity among urban communities due to its lively and opulent entertainment value. These performances featured elegant costumes, creative stage settings, and orchestral music combining traditional and Western instruments.</p><p><br></p><p>However, Bangsawan's popularity began to decline in the mid-20th century due to competition from modern media like radio, film, and television. Despite this, preservation efforts have been carried out by various parties, including the government, artists, and cultural institutions. Today, Bangsawan is still performed at certain cultural events and continues to be appreciated as a valuable part of Malaysia's cultural heritage.</p><p><br></p><p>The term Bangsawan was first used by Mamak Pushi. Rahmah Bujang was the first to identify Bangsawan as a traditional theatre, while Samat Salleh defined it as popular theatre. According to the Kamus Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Bangsawan also refers to the aristocratic class or royalty.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 1
- -
- 48
TARIAN MENYAK
<p>Menyak means the manner sago flour is produced. Tarian Mengarang Menyak, initially was a traditional Melanau dance depicting how they lived on the shores of Sarawak. One of its portrayals was processing the sago, known as sei in local language. </p><p>It is vital to preserve this dance to strengthen the Malanau identity. </p><p><br></p><p>Thus two foundations in Mukah conducted research and later choreographed a newer and livelier tarian mengarang menyak. The foundations are Mukah Cultural Heritage Group (WARISMU) with their director then, the late Abdul Latip bin Mohti, and secondly, Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Sri Ritma Borneo, led by Tahiri Jasmin Smith.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 19
- 34
CANGGUNG DANCE
<p>Canggung Dance is one of the traditional dance forms that represents the cultural identity of Perlis, Malaysia. This dance is unique for its performance style, which features an exchange of pantun (Malay poetic verses) sung between male and female performers. The origins of Canggung Dance are closely linked to the influences of Rambong or Makyong Laut dances, which were later adapted by the local community in Perlis to create what is now known as Canggung. Etymologically, the word Canggung is believed to have derived from the Thai word Tanggung, meaning "to dance", reflecting regional cultural influences in its development.</p><p>Canggung Dance was first actively introduced during the Japanese occupation around 1941. Its earliest performances were presented by two siblings, Che Lian and Che Intan, who became pioneers in spreading and popularizing this dance among the people of Perlis. Since then, Canggung Dance has continued to flourish as a form of folk entertainment, commonly performed at social gatherings such as feasts, weddings, and post-harvest celebrations.</p><p>Although it shares similarities with other forms of Malay folk dances, such as Ronggeng, Canggung Dance maintains its distinct characteristics, especially through its exchange of pantun between male and female dancers. The pantun often carries themes of advice, playful teasing, and light-hearted satire, reflecting the refinement and wisdom of the Malay community. Today, Canggung Dance continues to be preserved and performed at various cultural events and festivals and is recognized as an important element of Malaysia’s intangible cultural heritage, particularly cherished by the people of Perlis.</p><div><br></div><p></p> ...
- 22
- 31
KETUPAT SOTONG
<p>Tuppak sutong or sutong sumbak or sotong bersumbat pulut (glutinous rice stuffed squid) is a Terengganu delicacy of squids stuffed with glutinous rice, boiled in coconut milk. The Terengganu locals call it tuppak sutong or tuppak sumbak’ in their dialect. It is an original dish of the Malay community of Terengganu and Kelantan in the East Coast of Malaysia, which is not found in the West Coast. The Terengganu and Kelantan ttupak sutong are of two variations but equally palatable and appetizing.</p><p><br></p><p>Its main ingredients are large squid and glutinous rice. The rice is to be cooked earlier being stuffed into the squids. Therefore, it needs large squid for good ttupak sutung for the rice stuffing. So smaller squids are not much favoured or befitting as they will shrink and become extremely small for stuffing. </p><p><br></p><p>Initially, tuppak sutong was eaten by the residents of fishing villages of Terengganu. In the squid season, they can be found in abundance in the Terengganu coastal sea waters. In the olden days, where there were no refrigerators, having too many squids, the fishermen had to resort to dumping their catch. To save the squids, their women created this dish. </p><p><br></p><p>Another specialty of ttupak sutong is its unique sauce. The sauce is made from just coconut milk seasoned with a little salt, sugar, onion, fenugreek and ginger, which exudes distinctive aroma and flavour. </p><p><br></p><p>Thanks to the refrigerators, now this cuisine is a hit with the young and old as it can be savoured any season, especially at Aidilfitri festivals in Terengganu.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 15
- 21
GHAZAL PARTY
<p>Ghazal Party is a combination of music, singing, dance, and comedy influenced by the Middle East. Its songs are based on desert rhythms with lyrics in Arabic or Malay. The word 'Party' refers to the festive nature of the ghazal performance. In Penang, ghazal music has existed since at least 1870, based on the notes of Munsyi Ibrahim in his work Kisah Pelayaran Ibrahim Munsyi (1980: 114). During a stopover at the house of Tuan Haji Muhammad Nor, Munsyi Ibrahim observed the Peranakan Indian community having a good time. They were singing, drumming on the dol (a type of drum), and playing the violin. The songs they sang were Hindustani songs.</p><p><br></p><p>This art form developed in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia, namely in Penang, Kedah, and Perak. Ghazal Party is often performed at wedding ceremonies in villages and at official events in cities. At weddings, the performance begins in the evening and can last until midnight, and sometimes until the early morning. The performance is held in a banquet hall facing the porch of the bride's house so that both the bride's family and guests can enjoy the show.</p><p><br></p><p>The difference between a regular ghazal and a ghazal party is that a regular ghazal involves 8 to 12 musicians, depending on the available musical instruments, such as the accordion, two violins, gambus, flute, bass guitar, drums, rebana, bongo, tambourine, and maracas. The singers typically have a background in the Arabic language; some have studied at madrasahs or religious schools. The songs sung are Arabic songs with masri and sika rhythms, originating from Egypt. In a ghazal party, the instruments are the same, but female dancers will sway to the rhythm of Hindustani and Arabic songs played by the musicians.</p><p><br></p><p>In the early days of ghazal party, the dancers were men dressed as women, wearing headscarves, batik sarongs, and baju kurung with light makeup, as women were not allowed to become dancers. In the 1950s, dancers from the transgender community, or "mak nyah," emerged. Eventually, women began to take on the role of playing the female characters. Another component of the Ghazal Party is comedy, which serves to entertain during the musicians' and singers' breaks. During a performance, the group rests two to three times, and during these breaks, comedians fill the space with performances centered around current events.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 2
- 45
TARIAN KUKUR/TEMPURUNG
<p>The Kukur Dance, or Tempurung Dance, is a unique traditional art form from the state of Kedah, named after its main musical instrument, the coconut shell. This dance is believed to have originated as a form of folk entertainment among farmers and fishermen, where the use of coconut shells symbolizes the abundance of natural resources in Kedah. It is typically performed in a relaxed setting, such as at feasts or harvest festivals, accompanied by traditional music and lively folk songs. The movements in this dance are dynamic, mimicking daily activities like harvesting rice or fishing, and thus narrating the daily lives of the community. The history of the Tempurung Dance reflects the ingenuity of the Malay community in Kedah, who combined the functionality of everyday tools with artistic expression.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 22
KUIH LOYANG
<p>Kuih Loyang, also known as Kuih Ros, Kuih Bunga Durian, Kuih Cap, and Kuih Goyang, is a traditional Malaysian snack. In the district of Padang Terap, Kedah, this delicacy is referred to as Kuih Goyang. This name originates from the process of making it: after the mold is dipped into a thin flour batter, it is then dipped into hot oil and shaken until the batter detaches from the mold into the hot oil.</p> ...
- 1
- -
- 22
ADAT PERPATIH NEGERI SEMBILAN
<p>The Minangkabau community who inherited this custom fully believe that Datuk Perpatih Nan Sabatang, also known as Cati Bilang Pandai and advisor to Sri Maharajo Dirajo, the first ruler of Minangkabau, has created a matriliny system through the personality of the Mother. The term Adat Perpatih only started since the arrival of Islam in the 15th century, along with the existence of this custom in the regions that later formed the combination of Negeri Sembilan in the 18th century.</p><p><br></p><p>Perpatih Customs in Negeri Sembilan</p><p><br></p><p>In the 15th century the east coast of Sumatra in Indonesia was part of the Minangkabau region under the rule of the Malacca Sultanate in Malaya. Therefore, the arrival of the Minangkabau community to Malaya is a common practice. They brought in this custom which was accepted and began to develop especially in the areas of Paya Kumbuh, Batu Hampar, Tanah Datar and Seri Lemak.</p><p><br></p><p>The Perpatih custom in Negeri Sembilan and Naning is a combination of this custom that is practiced in Minangkabau with the custom of the local population and is based on Islamic law. Therefore, there is a difference in these traditional elements in those regions with those in Minangkabau which contain elements of wandering, trading or migration.</p><p><br></p><p>The Biduanda tribe is the main tribe of the 12 tribes in the Negeri Sembilan Perpatih Adat system, and can be found in any adat region or badger because this is practiced by the original population.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 38
