LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
Search Filters : 423
MUZIK KENTRONG
<p>Kentrong was brought by traders from Indonesia to Malaya and began to grow in Malaysia, especially in Selangor and Johor. Prof. Dr. Ding Choo Ming, Principal Research Fellow of the Institute of the Malay World & Civilization, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, in his article “Trade and Migration”, opened the way to the spread of traditional Malay literature. He states that many writers, copyists, storytellers and others, such as kentrong craftsmen in Jawa, poets in Sunda, and entertainers, go back and forth across the ocean and spin on land to entertain and educate. This statement means that the behavior of migration and literary activities of art and culture happened because of the influence and good political changes in Malaysia.</p> ...
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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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LAGU BERPUKONG (MENIDURKAN BAYI)
<p>Berpukong or Berpokong, is a traditional Malay Banjar custom used to lull babies to sleep. This practice is deeply rooted in cultural and religious values. During Berpukong, the baby is placed in a seated position and securely wrapped in cloth up to the neck while both legs are allowed to dangle freely outside the cradle. As the cradle is gently swung, mothers sing the Lagu Berpukong in the Banjar dialect, interspersing the melody with recitations of blessings (Selawat) upon the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).</p><p><br></p><p>The Lagu Berpukong is a form of oral tradition passed down through generations of the Malay Banjar community. This song is not written in text but preserved through oral transmission, making it a vital element of cultural heritage. Its lyrics reflect the past's lifestyle and serve as a medium to convey praises, aspirations, and prayers. Through this tradition, mothers pray for their children to grow into devout individuals, dutiful to their parents, and beneficial to their community and nation.</p><div><br></div> ...
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SAMBAL TEMPOYAK DAUN KAYU
<p>Tempoyak comes from a traditional preservation method used by the Malay community to preserve durian, especially during the durian season. Tempoyak is a popular ingredient among people in Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, and Perak because it can be stored longer and gives a unique flavor to cooking. Sambal Tempoyak Daun Kayu is a traditional food among the community in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. This dish is eaten with white rice, omelette and fried fish.</p> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA MASYARAKAT CINA. SELEPAS KELAHIRAN-KENDURI, MENCUKUR RAMBUT & MEMBERI NAMA
<p>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.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>The structure of customs before marriage in Chinese society are: </p><p>Surveying Custom</p><p>Proposing Custom</p><p>Engagement Custom</p><div><br></div> ...
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BERENDOI (PULAU PINANG)
<p>Berendoi is a traditional celebration or custom among the Malay community to welcome the birth of a baby. In other words, berendoi is a ceremony for shaving the baby's hair or topknot, usually when the baby is at least seven days old. Berendoi is also known as the activity of rocking the cradle (adat naik buai), which is done after the baby is carried around a group of marhaban, family, and guests to have its hair shaved. During the berendoi, the marhaban group will recite maulid or maulud, which are religious songs. In Penang, this celebration is also known as Maulud Jawi.</p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div>Typically, the berendoi group consists of women from the marhaban and qasidah groups, who will chant praises of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through religious songs. The lyrics of the berendoi songs also offer advice to the mother and child to live with pure practices and to follow the religious law throughout their lives. The group of singers consists of at least four women or men. In Seberang Perai Utara, Penang, the Naim Hawa group is famous for performing berendoi songs, as well as other religious songs such as Marhaban and Berzanji.</div><div><br></div><div>"Ayuhai anak di dalam buaian,</div><div>Pejamkan mata jangan tangiskan,</div><div>Lagu Berendoi kami dendangkan,</div><div>Di dalam majlis tanda kesyukuran."</div><div><br></div><div>In the berendoi ceremony, in addition to the hair shaving ritual, tahnik (the act of rubbing a date on the baby's palate) or the opening of the mouth is performed by the father or a religious figure (ustaz) specially invited to the event. This means that in addition to the celebration, the sunnah (tradition) followed from the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is also practiced, as a sign of gratitude for the blessing of a child.</div><div><br></div><div>The berendoi ceremony is popular among the northern communities. Besides Penang, Kedah and Perlis also observe similar traditions. Some ancient beliefs suggest that the berendoi ceremony is a vow made by parents for having a child. It is also said that the berendoi is a ceremony to fulfill a vow made after having a son or daughter, as wished. However, at its core, berendoi is closely tied to Islamic teachings, as it conveys messages of guidance, advice, and praises for God.</div></div><div><br></div> ...
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SATA
<p>The origin of the traditional dish Sata is closely tied to the culture and traditions of the Malay community in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in the states of Terengganu and Kelantan. Sata is not only a delicious delicacy but also a symbol of culinary heritage that involves traditional cooking techniques passed down through generations. The name "Sata" is said to be derived from the word "santan," which refers to grated coconut used in the preparation of this dish. Additionally, some believe the name "Sata" comes from a localized pronunciation adapted by the community to suit their dialect.</p><p><br></p><p>Sata is believed to have originated from coastal areas where fish, especially small fish abundant in the sea, were a staple food source. On Malaysia's east coast, such as Terengganu and Kelantan, fish is a primary part of the local diet. The practice of cooking food wrapped in banana leaves is a traditional technique that has existed for a long time among the Malay community. Banana leaves are used to wrap food, enriching its flavor and aroma during the grilling process. This method also imparts a distinctive smoky taste, which is one of Sata's signature features.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN KUDA PASU
<p>Kuda Pasu, also known as Kuda Pacu, is a traditional dance popular among the Bajau Samah ethnic community in Kota Belud. Translating to "racing horse," this dance was first introduced in 1975 by Jeffery bin Oleh, a prominent figure in the traditional performing arts of the Bajau Samah community. To this day, Kuda Pasu continues to be performed at various celebrations and has been recognised as a traditional dance of this ethnic group.</p><p><br></p><p>According to its historical origins, this dance was inspired by horse riders' skills to welcome royal family members. In traditional Bajau Samah weddings, horses were often used to transport the groom's entourage to the bride's home. This practice symbolised the groom's heroism and valour on his wedding day and represented strength and status within the community. Consequently, the movements of men riding and handling horses became the foundation for the creation of this dance.</p> ...
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DENDANG SITI FATIMAH
<p>Dendang Siti Fatimah is a traditional poetry rich with Islamic and humanitarian values. This lyrical art is especially popular in Perak, particularly during the Berendoi (cradle ceremony) or cukur jambul (newborn blessing ceremony).</p><div><br></div><div><div>Rooted in Arab traditions, this poetry is believed to have originated during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), sung by nine maidens to lull his children to sleep. The poetry was later passed down to Saiyidatina Fatimah Az-Zahra, who sang it to her sons, Saidina Hassan and Saidina Hussain, to soothe them to sleep. Since then, the poem has been known as Dendang Siti Fatimah, symbolizing a mother's love and tenderness.</div><div><br></div><div>The original lyrics, composed in Arabic, include praises for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and touch on a mother’s life journey—from pregnancy and the struggles of childbirth to the sacrifices made in raising children. The poetry also imparts profound advice, reminding children of the importance of honouring their parents and upholding values of love and gratitude.</div><div><br></div><div>In the Nusantara region, Dendang Siti Fatimah has undergone cultural assimilation, with its lyrics translated into Malay and adapted to local traditions. Despite these adaptations, it has retained its core beauty and moral messages, becoming an enduring piece of artistic heritage. Today, Dendang Siti Fatimah is not merely a poem but a cultural treasure connecting the present generation with Perak's traditional and religious values.</div></div><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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SAMBAL HITAM BELIMBING BULUH
<p>Sambal Hitam Belimbing Buluh is traditional black paste which has been eaten for generations particularly in Jerantut, Kuala Lipis and Raub districts of Pahang. Sambal is paste and hitam is black. While belimbing buluh is a kind of very sour starfruit, its main ingredient, along with anchovies. </p><p><br></p><p>Sambal hitam belimbing buluh has a distinctive taste due to the starfruit (averrhoa bilimbi), its main ingredients. Also known as sour starfruit, this Malaysian native fruit, is small, cylindrical or almost oblong, looking like a very small cucumber. It is light green when young and slightly yellowish when ripe. We can find the fruits sprouting abundantly on the stem of its tree. Generally, the belimbing buluh is not eaten on its own as it is extremely sour. Hence it is only suitable for cooking, especially to make dip, thick sauce or paste. It also can be processed into other products.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Sambal hitam belimbing buluh is popular due to its unique cooking. The young and green starfruits, mixed with only coarse salt, are boiled for a day for it to turn black. Hence the name hitam (black). In ancient times, it was considered a complex dish as it was time consuming and required precision to cook so that it could be kept long. Then, the fruits were boiled in an oil can on firewood. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Very flavoring and healthy eating, sambal hitam belimbing buluh is appetizing when eaten with white rice, raw fresh young leaves or salads, glutinous rice, pancakes and the like. As such, this full of flavour cuisine has made Pahang a place of interest to visit. </p><div><br></div> ...
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