LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
Search Filters : 430
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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- 1512
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> ...
- 19
- 1867
UBI TELAMPONG/KEBABAN
<p>Ubi Telampong is a traditional heritage dish from the state of Kedah, particularly popular in the districts of Jitra, Kubang Pasu, Jerlun, and Bukit Kayu Hitam. This dish is made from simple local ingredients, primarily cassava and sugarcane juice. Its traditional cooking method makes it unique, requiring the cassava to be slowly simmered in sugarcane juice for five to eight hours over a continuous wood fire.</p><p><br></p><p>Traditional tools used in the preparation include a large cauldron, firewood, a wooden spatula (code), and a kelongsong jut—a kind of casing made from bemoan leaves, young rattan, or bamboo trays (Cymru). If bemban leaves are used, they must be soaked in water beforehand to prevent them from drying out and curling during use.</p><p>Once peeled, the cassava must be immediately soaked in water to avoid going stale (masuk angin), which can affect its taste and texture. The cooking process demands great care and patience—not only because it takes several hours but also because the cook has to endure the stinging smoke from the wood fire.</p><div><div>During the long cooking process, the sugarcane juice reduces into a thick syrup similar to molasses, which seeps into the cassava, creating a naturally sweet and distinctive flavour. To enhance the aroma, the firewood used isn't limited to rubber wood; mangosteen wood is also favoured for the pleasant fragrance it releases when burned. On the other hand, Rambutan wood is often used to maintain a steady, long-lasting ember, ensuring a more consistent cooking process.</div><div><br></div><div>In essence, Ubi Telampong is more than just a traditional delicacy for the people of Kedah—it is a cultural symbol of agrarian life, local wisdom, and the culinary heritage of the Kedahan community that deserves preservation.</div></div><div><br></div> ...
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- 1630
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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- 2034
MUZIK KOMPANG JAWA
<p>Kompang is a traditional drum which is small, light and flat in shape. When played, it is held in one hand and tapped with the other. Kompang Jawa is a traditional Malay (of Jawa descent) drumming music, also known as Kompang Tiga. The difference between kompang jawa and other kompangs are in the tools, beats, rhythms and songs. </p><p><br></p><p>Kompang began to be played in the Wali Sembilan era of Jawa Island. Their initial purpose of kompang music was to draw the community’s interest in Islam. The music was then brought to Selangor by Javanese traders in the early 20th century, to be played in mosques, religious ceremonies such as khatam Al-Quran, circumcision, weddings and large-scale events. The commonly played songs are the Assolatu, Bissarri, Ya-Solatun and Sailillah, where the lyrics are in the Maulid Berzanji book.</p><div><br></div> ...
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- 1328
UPACARA ADAT ‘SOGIT’ KAUM DUSUN
<p>Sogit is a law which requires compensations when a person is guilty of committing an offence in the culture of the Sabah Dusun. It is the Dusun traditional rules to preserve culture, discipline and harmony of the community, adhered to since the olden days.</p><p><br></p><p>The compensations are often in the form of livestock, such as pigs, buffalos, cows, goats or chicken. For instance, if a man harasses a woman, the penalty is to give some stipulated number of livestok.</p><p><br></p><p>Judging Process</p><p><br></p><p>If a woman is assaulted and impregnated by a man before marrying her, the latter needs to bring his family to meet with the head of the village. But if the man refuses to marry, he has to pay for the damage according to the wishes of the woman’s family.</p><p><br></p><p>On the other hand, if the woman wishes to marry the man, he must abide by the woman’s decision. The sogit is over one thousand Malaysian Ringgit (RM1,000), along with a list of traditional items that have been requested. If they decide not marrying, the wedding items must also be prepared by both sides.</p><p><br></p><p>Aim</p><p><br></p><p>Sogit is practised to judge and penalise the wrongdoers who commit unacceptable acts by the villagers. It is also to remind others to respect the laws and customs of the people. Some of the offences are:</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Stealing crops or livestock</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Damaging crops</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Killing livestock</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Proven guilty of rape</p><p>-<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hassling and kidnapping girls</p><div><br></div> ...
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- 5226
CUSTOMS AND CULTURE OF THE BIDAYUH - SALAKO SUBGROU: THE NGONCONG RITUAL
<p>Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, renowned for its diversity of ethnicities, religions, cultures, and customs. One of the ethnic subgroups that has preserved its unique traditional customs is the Bidayuh Salako, who predominantly reside in Lundu, Sematan, and several coastal villages in Sarawak. While the Bidayuh community is generally known as an inland people, the Salako subgroup has been more exposed to maritime and coastal cultural influences due to their geographical location.</p><p><br></p><p>Within the Salako community, there is a particularly significant custom that has been passed down through generations known as Ngoncong. This ritual is deeply connected to spiritual beliefs, particularly concerning health, gratitude, spiritual renewal, and honoring ancestral spirits. It is not merely an ordinary ritual, but reflects the Salako philosophy of life, which emphasizes the balance between humans, nature, and spiritual forces as something highly significant.</p><p><br></p><p>The Ngoncong ritual is believed to have been practiced since the early settlement of the Salako people in Kampung Pueh around the year 1875. Although many Salako people have since embraced Christianity, Ngoncong continues to be preserved as a cultural heritage that reflects the enduring respect for their ancestral spiritual values.</p><p><br></p><p>This ritual cannot be conducted arbitrarily. Only individuals who are highly skilled and experienced, such as the “Panadek Koncong”, are authorized to lead the ceremony to avoid any disturbances from spirits or harm to the participants. It is believed that any errors during the performance of this ritual could lead to spiritual disturbances, such as possession or other undesirable consequences.</p><div><br></div> ...
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ALAT MUZIK TURALI
<p>Turali, also known as Turahi in the Tambunan subdialect and Tuahi in the Penampang dialect, is a traditional musical instrument in the flute-type aerophone category. It is a nose flute that is uniquely played by blowing through the nose, making it different from most other wind instruments.</p><p><br></p><p>Turali is made of Sumbiling bamboo and measures about 30 - 40 centimeters long. The end is punched with a hole for blowing, known as a Pogunian hole. The stem will have four holes to produce various tones. The back holes are known as Pongirusan holes, which are operated by the thumb, while the three holes in the front are known as Mokorudu holes, which are operated by the other fingers.</p> ...
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- 1586
KUIH BUTIR NANGKA
<p>Butir Nangka is one of the popular traditional kuih (desserts) in Malaysia, especially in the East Coast states such as Kelantan and Terengganu. It derives its name from its small, oval shape that resembles jackfruit seeds. In some sources, it is also known as "Bubur Nangka" or "Kuih Nangka."</p><p><br></p><p>This kuih is part of the Malay culinary heritage that has existed since ancient times. It is often prepared for weddings, feasts, or celebrations such as Hari Raya. Butir Nangka is believed to have originated from Malaysia's East Coast, particularly in Kelantan and Terengganu, but is now known throughout the country. This kuih is also considered a traditional dessert served at casual gatherings and is a sweet dish ideal as a dessert after a heavy meal.</p><div><br></div><div><div>Characteristics of Butir Nangka</div><div>Shape and Color</div><div>This kuih is small and oval-shaped, with a green color resembling jackfruit seeds. However, the colors of Butir Nangka have now been diversified.</div><div>Taste</div><div>Sweet and soft, with a rich coconut milk flavor. Its sweetness is balanced with a slight saltiness from the coconut milk.</div><div>Texture</div><div>Chewy and soft on the inside.</div></div><div><br></div> ...
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- 1197
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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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM MURUT SUKU TAHOL - ADAT KEMATIAN TRADISI TAJAU
<p><br></p><p>The Murut Tahol tribe is the largest subgroup within the Murut ethnic community. They originally settled along the Tahol River in Pensiangan before migrating to other areas such as Tenom, Sapulut, and Nabawan. The tribe often refers to itself as Ulun Tahol, which means “the people of Tahol.”</p><p><br></p><p>Today, most members of the Murut Tahol tribe have adopted Christianity as their primary faith. However, a small segment of the community still adheres to animistic (pagan) beliefs. Despite having embraced various religions, the tribe continues to preserve and practice ancestral customs and traditions that align with their religious teachings. One notable tradition remains their death ritual, which involves a unique set of customs and beliefs that showcase their rich cultural identity and the strength of their community values.</p><p><br></p><p>For the Murut Tahol, death is a sorrowful misfortune, as they believe the deceased will continue to exist alone. Additionally, death is regarded as a mystery since no one can honestly know what the deceased's journey is like in another realm. In their philosophical perspective on life, the Murut Tahol categorise death into two types: a "good death" and a "bad death."</p><p><br></p><p>A "good death" happens peacefully during sleep, with the eyes and mouth closed tightly. In contrast, a "bad death" is characterised by extreme suffering and screams at the moment of passing. According to certain beliefs, these screams are associated with evil spirits that disturb a person before they die.</p><p><br></p><p>Therefore, they believe that the nature of a person's death is closely connected to how they lived. If someone is considered virtuous during their lifetime, their death is thought to be easier. Conversely, if a person is viewed unfavourably, their end is expected to be difficult, troubling, and terrifying. To ensure that the deceased's soul finds peace in the eternal realm, the Murut Tahol people strictly adhere to their traditional practices surrounding death, following the customs passed down through generations.</p><div><br></div> ...
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