LIST OF ARTS AND CULTURE
Entire list of cultural arts includes all categories and states
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LAKSA JOHOR
<p>Laksa Johor is a traditional dish from the state of Johor, Malaysia, distinctively prepared using spaghetti instead of the rice noodles typically found in other laksa variants. The origin of spaghetti in Laksa Johor is attributed to Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor during the late 19th century. After his visit to Europe, particularly Italy, in 1885, he was captivated by spaghetti dishes and instructed his chefs to incorporate this Western element into a local dish. The result was the creation of Laksa Johor as it is known today, embodying a fusion of cultural influences.</p><div><br></div> ...
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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> ...
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KUIH BULAN
<p>Mooncakes originate from China, and their history is closely related to the Mid-Autumn Festival which is celebrated every year on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. This festival marks the end of the harvest season and is accompanied by a moon gazing celebration, as a symbol of abundance and gratitude. The moon cake, which has a round shape like a full moon, symbolizes perfection and togetherness in Chinese culture.</p><p>In Malaysia, mooncakes were brought in by Chinese immigrants and became part of the local cultural heritage. Over the years, it has evolved and adapted to the tastes and creativity of the Malaysian community, making it a more unique and interesting dish.</p><p>Types of Mooncakes</p><p><br></p><p>Mooncakes come in various types and flavors, reflecting the diversity of culture and tastes of Malaysians. Among the most popular are:</p><p><br></p><p>Traditional Mooncakes: Traditional mooncakes usually have a soft and thin skin, and the filling consists of red bean paste, lotus paste, or lotus seed paste. There is also a version with a salted egg in the middle, which adds deliciousness and a different texture.</p><p><br></p><p>Snow Skin Mooncake: This version is more modern and different from the traditional moon cake because the skin is not baked, but made from a chewy mochi-like dough. Snow skin moon cakes are often colored with attractive colors and filled with various flavors such as chocolate, durian, or green tea.</p><p><br></p><p>Fusion Mooncakes: As time progresses, mooncakes also experience innovation in terms of taste and preparation. Fusion moon cakes usually have modern flavors such as cheese, coffee, chocolate, and pandan. It describes the adaptation of moon cakes with local tastes as well as the creativity of cake makers in Malaysia.</p><div><br></div> ...
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MUZIK PERGENDANGAN GORDANG SAMBILAN
<p>Sambilan means nine, which is the number of drums in a performance of Gordang Sambilan. This drumming is a traditional art originating in Mandailing, Sumatera, Indonesia. In these days and age, gordang sambilan has become a part of Malaysian culture, performed by gordang sambilan enthusiasts in Selangor. </p><p><br></p><p>To play, one needs nine large, elongated drums to be played by ten people. The drums differ from one another when lined up closely. Accompanied by other instruments like gong, cak lempong, sesayak and flutes, the beating of the nine drums turn into is a delightful piece of music, resonating vivid rhythmic beats.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TARIAN GOBEK
<p>The Gobek Dance is inspired by the traditional practice of elders using a gobek (mortar and pestle) to crush betel leaves and areca nuts. The beauty of this dance lies in its melody and the graceful movements of male and female dancers, who incorporate the gobek as a central prop in the performance. The origins of the Gobek Dance are linked to the era of the Kedah Sultanate, where it was performed during royal ceremonies, particularly for celebrations and official events. This dance is renowned for its energetic and dynamic movements, reflecting the spirit of collaboration and teamwork in traditional community life.</p><div><br></div> ...
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TEATER RANDAI
<p>Randai is a theater, a specialty of Negeri Sembilan, as it narrates stories in poems. The term ‘randai’ comes from ‘merandai’, which means composing or going round in an open area looking for a lost object. There are a few versions narrating its origins and the most believed is that it originated in Minangkabau, Indonesia. As the Minang people migrated to Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, its theater grew into popularity here.</p><p><br></p><p>Integrating and embodying folk-dancing, acting, singing, poem reciting, music and humor, randai actors doing so, moving in a circular patten. Each randai theater casts twenty artists, called anak randai,. These anak randai, remarkably immerse into voice, posture and facial expression, narrating the stories exclusively in metaphors and parables, the kaba and bakaba.</p><p><br></p><p>Unlike the randai in West Sumatra, the one in Negeri Sembilan comprises songs, such as the opening, Budu Landai, Cantik Manis and Anak Bocek. </p><div><br></div> ...
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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA SEBELUM PERKAHWINAN MASYARAKAT CINA: UPACARA MEMINANG
<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: </p><p>Surveying Custom</p><p>Proposing Ceremony</p><p>Engagement Custom</p><div><br></div> ...
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KUIH BUNGA PUDAK
<p>Kuih Bunga Pudak is a traditional Malay delicacy popular in Jitra, Kedah, and a specialty of the region. This dessert is named after the color of the Pudak flower. Kuih Bunga Pudak is one of the most well-known traditional desserts in Kedah, celebrated not only for its delicious taste but also for its unique shape and preparation method.</p> ...
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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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TARIAN BELOTAH
<p>Tarian Belotah is a folk dance of Perak paddy farmers, their melodious way of turning farming toil into a joyous awaited occasion. This dance is to separate paddy grains from the stalks, and they do it with rhymes. Lotah means rhyme, hence ‘belotah’ is rhyming. </p><p><br></p><p>Gemal padi (bunches of paddy stalks tied together) are placed on a platform, made from pinang tree planks. The planks are tied with rattan and secured to the floor. Then a group of ten to fifteen step on the paddy stalks on the floor in a circle in an effort to separate the grains from the stalks. While stepping, they exchange poems and songs, the melotah. </p><p><br></p><p>Sweetly, while laboring, separating paddy gains, the young men turn their drudgery into pleasure by teasing and courting the girls. Melotah eventually becomes an anticipated event for the young to socialise since in those days, society was extremely strict about boys meeting girls. </p><p><br></p><p>Belotah is akin to a sewang dance where the dancers rhyme while stepping on the paddy stalk bulks (gemal padi). They will also shout while jerking the platform, moving the planks rhythmically. As the planks move, they rub each other, producing squeaky sounds. These squeaky sounds are the ‘background music’ of the dance. So, the dancers move to the rhythm of the sound, swinging their legs twice forward and twice back, singing along the jerks of the planks. </p><p><br></p><p>Lyrics of Short Lotah </p><p><br></p><p>When it's cut, such a waste being cut</p><p>Gracious goes the root of the tree</p><p>Please, let it be, let it be sir</p><p>Ha ha hi</p><p>Ha ha hi</p><p>Ha ha hi</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>Gracious the roots of the wood </p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>Wishing to tie the yam </p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>Soft are the planks</p><p>Wishing to harvest the rice</p><p>The spirit of the rice</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>The of stump of the mountain a sacred mountain</p><p>Hai ya ya ye</p><p>Can be seen from a high cliff</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>We are here to welcome</p><p>Hai ya ya ye</p><p>Our revered sir</p><p>Who just arrived</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><p>Lotah de lang le</p><div><br></div> ...
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STEW AYAM
<p>Chicken Stew in Kristang tradition is a dish inherited from Portuguese influence, brought to Melaka in the 16th century. While there are various versions of chicken stew worldwide, the Portuguese Kristang chicken stew offers a distinct flavor compared to traditional Western chicken stews due to the use of abundant local spices.</p><p><br></p><p>Uniqueness of Portuguese Chicken Stew</p><p>Blend of Spices and Coconut Milk: Portuguese Chicken Stew incorporates not only Portuguese spices but also elements of Malay and Indian cuisine, such as coconut milk and curry powder, resulting in a rich and flavorful taste.</p><p>Family Dish: Like many Portuguese ethnic dishes in Melaka, chicken stew is often prepared for family events and celebrations. It is a convenient dish to prepare in large quantities, making it ideal for bringing families and communities together.</p><p>Cultural Fusion: Portuguese Chicken Stew represents the fusion of Portuguese, Malay, and Indian cultures, reflecting Malaysia's ethnic diversity. Each ingredient in the stew carries the history and heritage of various cultural backgrounds.</p><div><br></div> ...
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