LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
Search Filters : 453
ZAPIN LENGA DANCE
<p>Zapin is one of the traditional Malay dance forms with a long and rich history,</p><p>influenced by Arab and Islamic culture introduced by Middle Eastern traders and</p><p>missionaries approximately 500 years ago. In Johor, zapin has evolved into a</p><p>distinct cultural identity, shaped by local adaptations and passed down through</p><p>generations. More than just a form of entertainment, zapin has traditionally served</p><p>as a medium for spiritual education, moral instruction, and community bonding</p><p>within Malay society.</p><p>Among the various styles of zapin in Johor, Zapin Lenga stands out as one of the</p><p>oldest and most significant. Originating from Kampung Lenga, Batu 28, Muar,</p><p>Johor, Zapin Lenga holds a vital place in the cultural heritage of the state. It is</p><p>recognized as one of the 20 documented types of traditional zapin found across</p><p>Johor and is often regarded as the prototypical style that laid the foundation for</p><p>what is now known as Zapin Melayu Johor.</p><p>Historically, the dance was founded by the late Rabu bin Harom, also known as</p><p>Wak Rabu, a respected traditional artist from Muar. His legacy was passed down to</p><p>Haji Sukur bin Basir, and is currently being preserved and promoted by Majid bin</p><p>Rawino, a local cultural practitioner. Initially, Zapin Lenga was performed</p><p>exclusively by male dancers during social and religious occasions such as</p><p>weddings, communal feasts, Quran recitation completion ceremonies (Khatam Al-</p><p>Quran), and baby hair-cutting rituals (Cukur Jambul). However, over time, and in</p><p>response to societal changes, female dancers have also begun dancing,</p><p>highlighting their graceful and refined movements that are often described as more</p><p>expressive when performed by women.</p><p>Aesthetically, Zapin Lenga emphasizes virtuous values rooted in Malay customs</p><p>and etiquette. Its choreographed movements symbolize decorum, modesty, and</p><p>cultural harmony. Despite the pressures of modernization and shifting lifestyle</p><p>patterns, efforts in conservation and cultural transmission have allowed Zapin</p><p>Lenga to continue thriving as a living heritage. It remains relevant to younger</p><p>generations and is regularly showcased in arts programs, cultural education, and</p><p>heritage festivals at both the state and national levels.</p> ...
- 13
- 885
MUZIK TRADISIONAL TABOH IBAN
<p>Taboh is an Iban traditional music in Sarawak. The word taboh means sounds produced by traditional Iban musical instruments: tawak, gendang, engkerumong and bebendai.</p><p><br></p><p>It is played at Hari Gawai Dayak, a ritual performed by the Iban when building and blessing a new long house, ‘reviving’ the lunar ecllipse, having weddings and performing bathing ceremonies for small children in rivers. </p><p><br></p><p>Taboh music is played in three paces which is subjected to purposes of the ceremonies. So do its rythmn and melody. </p><p><br></p><p>There are differences among the taboh played in Kuching, Sri Aman, Betong, Saratok, Kapit, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang. Other than being played at Gawai Dayak or other rituals, it is also played during the Ngalu Petara, which is to call the petara (God) to appear from the sky. </p><div><br></div> ...
- 18
- 930
ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM SULUK: ADAT PERKAHWINAN
<p>The Suluk ethnic group is one of the main ethnic groups found in the state of Sabah, especially in the east coast area including the districts of Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Tawau and Sandakan as well as the west coast area especially in the Kudat district. This ethnic group originates from the Sulu Islands in the Philippines where it has a long history of migration as well as close ties with local communities in Borneo. The Suluk people in Sabah are famous for their maritime culture, where their lives are heavily influenced by fishing activities and sea trade. In addition, they are also known for their rich customs and traditions, including wedding ceremonies, the art of Pangalay dance, as well as the uniqueness of the language and oral literature that is still practiced today. Islam is the core of this ethnic identity, where elements of religion and custom are harmoniously integrated in every aspect of their lives, making the Suluk ethnic group one of the significant ethnic groups in the cultural landscape in Sabah (Kee Sabariah Kee Mohd Yussof & Asmiaty Amat, 2012).</p> ...
- 3
- -
- 558
ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM KEDAYAN: ADAT PERKAHWINAN
<p>The Kedayan community is one of the ethnic minorities in Sabah who mostly live in the districts of Sipitang, Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, and the Federal Territory of Labuan. The majority of this ethnic group is Muslim and uses the Kedayan language of Brunei as the main spoken language, which is similar to the Malay dialect of Brunei but has differences in terms of intonation and vocabulary. One of the uniqueness of their cultural identity is the wedding customs that are rich in traditional values and their own symbolism.</p> ...
- 2
- -
- 661
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> ...
- 1
- -
- 750
RENDANG PUCUK UBI
<p>In general, the popular rendang dishes among our community include chicken rendang, beef rendang, and duck rendang. However, in Negeri Sembilan, there is a unique variation of rendang made with cassava sprouts, which is highly favored as an appetizer. Cassava sprouts rendang is one of the traditional dishes in Negeri Sembilan. This dish is delicious when paired with white rice and can be stored in the refrigerator for an extended period in suitable food storage containers.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 260
ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA MASYARAKAT MAH MERI KEMATIAN: MENGURUS MAYAT
<p>The Mah Meri community is one of the Orang Asli groups that inhabit coastal areas in Selangor, Malaysia. They are known for their rich culture, woodcarving art, and unique customs, including in funeral and death ceremonies. The customs and rituals related to death in the Mah Meri community reflect their belief in the spiritual world and respect for the spirits of their ancestors.</p><p>The Mah Meri community believes that death is not the end but the transition of the soul to another realm. The spirit of the deceased needs to be carefully managed to ensure that it gets a good place in the spirit world. They also believe that failure to perform the death ceremony correctly can cause the spirit of the deceased to disturb the living family members.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 1
- -
- 528
SAMBAL TELUR BELIMBING BULUH
<p>Sambal Telur Belimbing Buluh is a popular dish in the cuisine of the Chetty or Peranakan Chetti community (also known as "Chitty" or "Chettiar" in Malaysia). Chetty cuisine reflects a blend of Malay and Indian culinary influences, with a rich use of spices and unique local ingredients. Sambal Telur Belimbing Buluh is an example of a dish that combines spicy and sour flavors, which are characteristic of this ethnic cuisine.</p><p><br></p><p>Belimbing buluh, also known as "bilimbi" in English, is a tropical fruit commonly found in Malaysia and Indonesia. It is used in traditional cooking to add a refreshing sourness. In Chetty cuisine, belimbing buluh is often incorporated into sambal to enhance the spiciness and freshness of the dish.</p><p><br></p><p>Characteristics of the Dish</p><p>Spicy and Sour Flavor: The combination of spiciness from chilies and sourness from belimbing buluh creates a refreshing and appetizing taste.</p><p>Rich with Spices: Ingredients like lemongrass and onions provide depth and aroma to the sambal.</p><p>Balanced Taste: Palm sugar adds a touch of sweetness to balance the spicy and sour flavors, resulting in a perfectly flavored sambal.</p><p>Unique and Traditional: This dish reflects the richness of Chetty cuisine, combining Malay and Indian influences with local ingredients to create a unique taste.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 298
CEK MEK MOLEK
<p>Cek Mek Molek is one of the traditional dishes originating from the East Coast of Malaysia, particularly in Kelantan and Terengganu. It is a type of traditional kuih known for its sweet taste and soft texture on the outside with a sweet filling inside. </p><p><br></p><p>Cek Mek Molek is a result of traditional Malay cultural influences, especially from Kelantan. It uses simple ingredients that are easily found in rural areas and symbolizes authenticity and simplicity in Malay cuisine.</p><div><br></div><div><div>Characteristics of Cek Mek Molek</div><div>Texture</div><div>The soft exterior of Cek Mek Molek, combined with its sweet and slightly creamy filling, creates a delicious combination. It also becomes slightly crispy when fried.</div><div>Taste</div><div>This kuih has a balanced sweetness.</div><div>Shape</div><div>Cek Mek Molek is usually oval in shape, with a shiny texture that enhances its appearance.</div></div><div><br></div> ...
- 1
- -
- 602
GULAI PISANG MUDA DAN IKAN BILIS
<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 started migrating here in the 14th century. This community group then settled in nine areas such as Johol, Jelebu, Klang, Sungei Ujong, Naning, Rembau, Jelai, Segamat, and Pasir Besar, 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 and comes from the influence of Minangkabau. It is often prepared using ingredients such as fish, snails, chicken, vegetables, and smoked meat. Thus, Gulai Pisang Muda and Anchovies are very popular because of their rich and spicy taste, making them one of the iconic foods in this state.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 242
TARIAN SUMAGAYAN
<p>Sumagayan, also known as Sagayan, is one of the traditional dances of the Iranun ethnic community in Sabah, predominantly residing in the districts of Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and Tuaran. This dance is performed using masks, as it is closely linked to the legend Darangan ni Bantugen, an epic tale of heroism in Iranun traditional literature. The epic narrates the story of Bantugen, a renowned warrior who battles enemies to protect his people (the Iranum nation). Hence, the basic elements of this dance are characterized by combat and martial art movements that resemble the techniques of silat.</p><p><br></p><p>However, since the late 1970s, the popularity of this dance has declined, leading to its diminished recognition among the general public. One of its key elements, the use of masks during performances, is no longer widely practised. Today, only a small segment of the Iranun community, particularly in the East Coast regions of Sabah, including the small districts of Tungku, Nala, and Barigas, continues to preserve this dance as part of their efforts to maintain their culture and identity.</p><div><br></div> ...
- 0
- -
- 326
TUAN HAJI MD ISMAIL BIN JAMJAM @ ZAMZAM
<p>Tuan Haji Md Ismail bin Jamjam @ Zamzam is a prolific writer from Johor, actively contributing across various literary genres, including poetry, novels, drama, short stories, textbooks, and song lyrics. His notable works include Perempuan Yang Kutemui in Antologi Puisi PPJ (1973), Merentas Lima Dasawarsa (Antologi Puisi Pilihan 1960–2015) published by ITBM KL (2017), and Rakaman Ombak (2019). Additionally, he has contributed to over 25 collaborative poetry anthologies, such as Sayang Adik Sayang – DPB (1975) and Kasut Hitler – Utusan Publication (1996).</p><div><br></div> ...
- 1
- -
- 249