LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
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MASAK LEMAK CILI API IKAN KELI SALAI
<p>Negeri Sembilan, also known as Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, is a state located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The people of Negeri Sembilan are originally from the Minangkabau tribe in West Sumatra, Indonesia, who migrated here in the 14th century. This community group then settled in nine areas of Johol, Jelebu, Klang, Sungei Ujong, Naning, Rembau, Jelai, Segamat, and Pasir Besar, which then formed a federation known as Negeri Sembilan.</p><p>In terms of traditional cuisine, Negeri Sembilan is famous for its Gulai Lemak Chili Api, also known as "masak lomak lado api." This dish is a symbol of Negeri Sembilan's traditional Malay cuisine, emerging from the influence of Minangkabau. It is often prepared using ingredients such as fish, snails, chicken, vegetables, and smoked meat. Thus, Masak Lemak Cili Api Ikan Keli Salai is extremely popular because of its rich and spicy taste, making it one of the iconic foods in this state.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN SUMARANUM
<p>Sumaranum is a traditional dance of the Iranun ethnic community, predominantly residing in the Kota Belud district and several areas in Kota Marudu and Tuaran. In the Iranun language, Sumaranum means "longed for" or "yearned for." The name reflects the community’s deep affection for the musical rhythm accompanying the dance, which is often longed for and fondly remembered.</p><p><br></p><p>This dance has a rich history, originating as a central element of the Iranun community’s traditional healing ritual, the Parinang ceremony. Over time, as cultural shifts accompanied the Iranun people's embrace of a formalised religion, the dance evolved into a performance art form known as Ajung. This name was derived from the central feature of the dance—a structure called the Ajung, a replica of a house crafted from fabric or paper. The Ajung was elaborately decorated with colourful fabrics and flags at each corner. Eventually, the dance was renamed Sumaranum by consensus, a title that still endures.</p> ...
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ALAI SEKAFI DANCE
<p>Alai Sekafi is a traditional dance of the Lundayeh ethnic community, primarily found in the Sipitang district and the interior region of Long Pasia in Sabah. The term "Alai" translates to "to dance," while "Sekafi" refers to a traditional musical instrument used by the Lundayeh people, which resembles the Sape. Therefore, the name of the Alai Sekafi dance comes from the instrument played during the performance.</p> ...
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TARIAN ULE NUGAN
<p>The Tarian Ule Nugan is inspired by the activities involved in rice planting among the Orang Ulu community in Sarawak. It is a routine for the Orang Ulu people to prepare early in the morning before embarking on a journey by boat to their rice fields. Thus, male dancers in this performance usually carry a piece of wood resembling a penugal stick, commonly used for planting rice in highland areas.</p><p><br></p><p>During the rice planting process, while the men use the penugal stick, the women would strike the kerebo bulo, creating rhythmic sounds to ward off bad omens associated with certain bird calls. According to Orang Ulu legends, the sound produced by the kerebo bulo also serves to encourage and inspire the rice’s spirit to grow healthily and yield a good harvest. Beliefs, omens, and signs hold significant meaning in their daily lives as an agrarian society.</p><p><br></p><p>Throughout the rice planting process, the Orang Ulu community helps one another with the task while socializing and sharing laughter to alleviate the exhaustion of work. The men also engage in hunting using blowpipes to gather food to bring back home. With all the daily activities of rice planting carried out successfully, the Orang Ulu farmers return home filled with joy and gratitude.</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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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA MASYARAKAT INDIA: KELAHIRAN SELEPAS BERSALIN
<p>Malaysian Indians are Malaysian citizens of Indian descent. A large number migrated to Malaysia during the British colonial era in Malaya. However, historical evidence shows that Indians have begun to settle in Malaysia since the heyday of the Chola Dynasty. Nowadays, they are the third largest race in Malaysia after the Malays and Chinese. In addition, they also have their own customs and culture, such as the custom of waiting until the birth of a child for pregnant women.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TOSE
<p>Tose is an Indian ethnic food, also known as dosa, dosay, dose, dosai, dhosha, thosai or chakuli. As many names it carries, so does its variations: egg tose, chilli tose and onion tose, widely accepted as Malaysian specialty, eaten by all. Rich with carbohydrates and protein, tose is now a delightful Malaysian breakfast, teatime snack, or dinner. </p><p><br></p><p>Enjoyed by families, it’s served in all mamak restaurants, eaten with a variety of side-dishes: sambal rojak with fruit, Indian pickled sambal, chicken or mutton curry, dalca gravy and other sauces. A piece of tose can have potatoes and crispy fried onions fillings too.</p><p><br></p><p>Not only easy to make, its taste and texture is special, having crispy and light texture, which is easy to digest. </p><div><br></div> ...
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MEK MULUNG
<p>Mek Mulung is a traditional theatrical art form renowned in the state of Kedah and its surrounding regions. It is a performance art that combines elements of drama, music, and dance, typically performed during celebratory events such as weddings and festivals. Mek Mulung not only serves as entertainment but also as a medium to convey folk tales, history, and cultural values deeply rooted in Malay society.</p><p><br></p><p>The history of Mek Mulung dates back centuries, strongly influenced by traditional theater from Thailand, particularly from the Patani region. Mek Mulung is believed to have originated in the border areas of Malaysia and Thailand, where it was derived from a performance form known as mak mulung in Thai. Over time, it developed in Kedah, carrying significant Siamese cultural influences. Mek Mulung is often performed by a group of male and female actors accompanied by gamelan music and other traditional instruments.</p><p><br></p><p>Originally, Mek Mulung was part of religious rituals, but over time it became integrated into local cultural traditions. The stories performed in Mek Mulung are based on epics and folk myths that often contain moral and educational messages. In Kedah, Mek Mulung began to flourish actively in the 19th century, with many cultural figures reviving this art form after it nearly faded away. However, the advent of modern technology and competition from contemporary entertainment caused its popularity to decline in the mid-20th century.</p><p><br></p><p>Mek Mulung is one of Malaysia's notable traditional theatrical forms alongside Bangsawan, Jikey, Hamdolok, Menora, and Wayang Kulit. It is a comprehensive blend of artistic elements, including acting, dancing, singing, and music.</p><p><br></p><p>Mek Mulung consists of two aspects: performance and ritual. From a performance perspective, it serves as entertainment. From a ritual perspective, Mek Mulung has a deeper purpose, involving paying homage to ancestral spirits believed to protect against evil forces.</p><p><br></p><p>According to the History Studies International Journal of History (2018), Mek Mulung is defined as a traditional theater form encompassing dialogue, narrative, acting, dance, singing, and instrumental music.</p><p><br></p><p>Mek Mulung began spreading in areas such as Paya Kulubi and later Perik. However, it initially failed to gain popularity in Perik and was subsequently brought to Wang Tepus, where it garnered significant local attention, becoming a yearly traditional performance. Some sources also trace its origin to Legor, Siam, introduced to Kedah during the Kedah-Siam conflicts. However, its roots are widely acknowledged to stem from Kampung Perit, later spreading to Mukim Kurung Itam, Kuala Nerang, and villages such as Kampung Belukar Mulung, Kampung Paya Keladi, and eventually Kampung Wang Tepus, Jitra, Kedah.</p><div><br></div> ...
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AIR NIRA NIPAH
<p>Nira Nipah is a traditional beverage that remains popular not only among the Malay community but also among other ethnic groups. In villages, the nira nipah industry provides a highly profitable source of supplementary income. Almost every part of the nipah palm can be utilized by humans. The nipah palm, scientifically known as Nypa fruticans, thrives in swampy, low-lying, and muddy areas. It has an underground stem, and its palm roots are typically hidden in the mud where it grows, rarely exposed except in coastal erosion areas. The air pockets and the leaf bases of the nipah palm provide significant buoyancy to its roots.</p><p><br></p><p>Older leaves shed when a 2-foot-long decay layer forms at the base of the fronds. Another layer of decay appears where the broad leaf joins the root. Nipah fronds can be used to make excellent roofing materials, and it is common to see the fronds being cut while preserving the young shoots. The tough outer cuticle of young leaves is stripped, cut to size, packed, and sold nationwide as cigarette wrappers.</p><p><br></p><p>The palm produces flowers at the tips of its stalks and branches, forming clusters. These flowers eventually produce fruit. Afterward, the fruit clusters are trimmed to extract nira (sap), with a single inflorescence yielding about one pint of sap per day for three months, producing roughly 11 gallons of sap. The sap from the nipah tree can also be fermented into liquor or tuak. Nipah fruit resembles a wedge in shape, with a structure similar to coconut, including husk, shell, flesh, and water. The young flesh of the fruit is edible, while the mature seeds are very hard.</p><p><br></p><p>There are three types of nipah palms:</p><p>1)<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sawa Nipah Palm</p><p>Long stalks, large fronds, and big trunks with a lifespan of about three months.</p><p>2)<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Tembaga Nipah Palm</p><p>Medium-sized stalks, fronds, and trunks with a lifespan of about two months.</p><p>3)<span style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rat-Tail Nipah Palm</p><p>Small stalks, fronds, and trunks, but the fruit is large, and it can produce sap for 28 days.</p><div><br></div> ...
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GENDANG MELAYU SARAWAK
<p>Bergendang is a unique and special cultural art heritage inherited by the Malay community of Sarawak. This art form is deeply connected with the lifestyle and social values of the Malay society in Sarawak, shaping a collective identity that is a source of pride. Through continuous preservation efforts, this creative performing art, recognized as a National Heritage in 2012, stands out as a distinctive form of relaxed and joyful entertainment conducted openly.</p><p><br></p><p>There are three main elements in the musical performance art of Malay Sarawak bergendang: the first is "bergendang," where female performers play the drum (known as "seh gendang"). The second element is the dance movements called "bertandak," performed by male dancers referred to as "penandak" or "nopeng." The third element is "bermukun," which involves an exchange of pantun (traditional poetic verses) between the "seh gendang" and the "penandak" or "nopeng."</p><p><br></p><p>During a bergendang performance, the "seh gendang" is placed behind a curtain or screen made of batik fabric, set at a height of two or three feet from the floor and stretched horizontally. The male participants, acting as "penandak" or "nopeng," are positioned outside the curtain to separate the space between the men and women. A spacious area is prepared in front of the curtain for the "penandak" to perform their dance. Typically, the "seh gendang" will play the drum in rhythm with a violin or accordion. While performing "bermukun" along with two to four "penandak/nopeng" dancers, they engage in spontaneous exchanges of pantun.</p><div><br></div> ...
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BELACAN
<p>Belacan is an essential ingredient in traditional Malay cuisine and several other Southeast Asian cultures, such as Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. It is a paste or block made from small shrimp (also known as krill), which are fermented and dried before being shaped into specific forms. The name "belacan" is believed to originate from ancient Malay, but it is also influenced by terms in Chinese and Hokkien dialects, such as "hae ko" (dried shrimp), referring to the main ingredient of belacan. In Indonesia, it is known as terasi, while in Thailand it is called kapi.</p><p><br></p><p>The production of belacan is thought to have begun centuries ago, when coastal communities sought ways to preserve their seafood catch, particularly small shrimp. Drying and fermentation were traditional methods used to extend the shelf life of seafood. In Malaysia, areas like Melaka, Penang, Kedah, and Sabah are renowned for producing high-quality belacan. In Melaka, the production of belacan is closely tied to traditional fishing communities operating along the coast.</p><div><br></div> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM KADAZANDUSUN SUKU DUSUN KIMARAGANG: ADAT PERKAHWINAN
<p>The Dusun Kimaragang is one of the largest tribes within the Kadazan Dusun community, residing in the northern part of Sabah, Malaysia. This community predominantly lives in the Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Paitan, and Sandakan. The Dusun Kimaragang are renowned for their strong agrarian culture, particularly in rice cultivation, which forms the foundation of their economic and social life. In addition to their agricultural prowess, their customs and cultural practices are deeply rooted and reflect the philosophy of communal living. One of the cultural traditions they continue to uphold today is the traditional marriage custom, which follows the processes and structures inherited from their ancestors.</p> ...
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