Portfolio for Malaysian Culture.

Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Su‘aidi Dato’ Hj. Safei

MALAYSIA
is
a
constitutional
monarchy in southeastern Asia on
Borneo & the Malay Peninsula;
achieved independence from the
United Kingdom in 1957

 The  flag  of  Malaysia,  also  known  as 
the "Jalur Gemilang" (Stripes of Glory), 
comprises a field of 14 alternating red 
and  white  stripes  along  the  fly  and  a 
blue  canton  bearing  a  crescent  and  a 
14‐point  star  known  as  the  Bintang 
Persekutuan (Federal Star).  

 The  14  stripes,  of  equal  width,  represent  the  equal  status  in  the 
federation  of  the  13  member  states  and  the  federal  government, 

while  the  14  points  of  the  star  represent  the  unity  between  these 
entities. 
 The crescent represents Islam, the country's official religion; the blue 
canton symbolizes the unity of the Malaysian people; the yellow of the 
star and crescent is the royal colour of the Malay rulers. 



 the arts and other manifestations of human
intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
 e.g."20th century popular culture“
the
arts,
the
 synonyms:
humanities,
civilization,
intellectual
achievement, literature, music, painting,
philosophy, the performing arts






This is to und e rsta nd , le a rn a nd ha ve b e tte r
und e rsta nd ing o n the we d d ing histo ry,
c e re mo nie s, c usto ms a nd ta b o o s o n
va rio us e thnic s in Ma la ysia .
We d d ing : The a c t o r c e re mo ny o f ma rrying ;
ma rria g e ; nup tia ls.
Ma rria g e : The so c ia l institutio n und e r whic h a ma n
a nd wo ma n e sta b lish the ir d e c isio n to live a s
husb a nd a nd wife b y le g a l c o mmitme nts, re lig io us
c e re mo nie s, e tc .

Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Su‘aidi Dato’ Hj. Safei

 Ma la y tra d itio na l we d d ing c e re mo ny








c o nsist o f 5 ma in c e re mo nie s a s
fo llo ws:
Me risik (Inve stig a te , Visit a nd O b se rve )
Me mina ng (Pro p o se )
Be rtuna ng (Eng a g e me nt)
Aka d Nika h (So le mniza tio n)
Be rsa nd ing (Enthro ne me nt)

A Ma la y we d d ing is usua lly p e rfo rme d whe n e ithe r
o ne o r b o th sp o use s a re Ma la y. Ma la ysia n la w
d e fine s a Ma la y p e rso n a s a Muslim.

Re p re se nta tive s o f the ma n's fa mily p a y a frie nd ly
visit to the fa mily o f the wo ma n who m the y ha ve

in mind a s his p o te ntia l b rid e . The visit is p ure ly fo r
the p urp o se o f furthe r inve stig a tio n, & it g ive s the
visito rs the c ha nc e to se e the wo ma n.
A hint will b e g ive n to he r p a re nts re g a rd ing the p urp o se
o f the visit, & the ir re a c tio n will b e a sse sse d .
The wo ma n's p a re nts ma y a lso g ive the visito rs so me
id e a a s to whe the r o r no t the ir d a ug hte r wo uld b e
inte re ste d in the ma tc h. Me risik d o e s no t c o nstitute a
fo rma l p ro p o sa l.
Fo llo wing the visit b o th sid e s c a n b e g in to think mo re
se rio usly a b o ut the p o ssib ility o r o the rwise o f a ma rria g e .
It is p o ssib le tha t no p ro g re ss ma y ta ke p la c e , a nd the
ma n's p a re nts o r re p re se nta tive s will the n lo o k fo r
a no the r p o ssib le b rid e .



O nc e kno wn tha t the g irl ha s no t b e e n
c o mmitte d , the fa mily will se t a d a y fo r me n to
se nd a p ro p o se d e le g a tio n. Ma na g ing p e rso n

will b e c o nd uc te d b y the imme d ia te fa mily o f
the me n.
C usto m ma d e fo r this p up o se to sta te tha t the y a c tua lly
o ffic ia lly. Re la tive s o f b o th p a rtie s will ne g o tia te to se t
the d a te a nd time suita b le fo r the e ng a g e me nt. In
a d d itio n, d isc ussio n will a lso b e he ld with re p e c t to the
d e liva ry a nd the numb e r o f trip s tha t will c o me to the
c e re mo ny o f e ng a g e me nt to fa c ilita te the wo me n
p re p a re d d uring the e ng a g e me nt so o n.
But no wa d a ys, the c usto m o f 'Me risik' is se ld o m to b e
d o ne b e c a use tha t c o up le a lre a d y kno w e a c h o the r,
so the y will p ro c e e d with 'Pe rmina ng a n' to sa ve the c o st
a nd time .

Pre -we d d ing me e ting b e twe e n b o th p a re nts.
The a d a t b e rtuna ng (e ng a g e me nt c usto m) is
no rma lly he ld a t the b rid e 's ho me .
C o mp ro mise a b o ut a mo unt o f e xp e nse s, the
g ift, a nd a c tua l time fo r ma rria g e &
“ p e rsa nd ing a n” .

O nc e the p ro p o sa l is a c c e p te d , this ma y ta ke up to a
we e k, the e ng a g e me nt d a te is d e te rmine d . During
b e rtuna ng
(e ng a g e me nt
c e re mo ny),
g ifts
a re
e xc ha ng e d b e twe e n the c o up le , a nd the a mo unt o f
ma s ka hwin (d o wry) a g re e d up o n. The e ng a g e me nt
p e rio d ma y la st b e twe e n six mo nths a nd thre e ye a rs.

Aka d Nika h o r the ma rria g e c o ntra c t is the first
fo rma l p a rt o f Ma la y we d d ing , a s p e r the Isla mic
a nd c ivil la ws. It is b e lie ve d to g ive the ma rria g e its
sa nc tity.

The b e rsa nd ing (e nthro ne me nt) c e re mo ny b e g ins with the
g ro o m's p ro c e ssio n with frie nd s, re la tive s, music ia ns &
p e o p le wa ving b ung a ma ng g a r (p a lm b lo sso m) to me e t
the b rid e . Arriving o f g ro o m a t b rid e ’ s ho use a re we lc o me

with so und o f “ ko mp a ng ” .

In this c e re mo ny, the ma rria g e is so le mnise d b e fo re
re lig io us o ffic ia ls. The g ro o m sig ns the ma rria g e
c o ntra c t with the Ka d i in fro nt o f witne ss(sa ksi) a nd
a g re e s to p ro vid e the b rid e with a ma s ka hwin o r
d o wry.

Ea c h g ue st will re c e ive a b ung a te lur (e g g flo we r), a
d e c o ra te d e g g with a fa b ric flo we r, a s a sig n o f fe rtility.
The c o up le a re c o nsid e re d ro ya lty fo r the d a y, & so va rio us
ro ya l c usto ms a re p e rfo rme d fo r the m, inc lud ing music ia ns
p la ying c o urt music a nd 'b o d yg ua rd s' p e rfo rming a d isp la y
o f p e nc a k sila t(tra d itio na l Ma la y ma rtia l a rts).

 A b rie f le c ture o n ma rria g e a nd its re sp o nsib ilitie s

d e live re d la te r b y the ka d i.

The c o up le will sit o n the Dia s, “ p e la min” .

Afte r the b e rsa nd ing c e re mo ny, the we d d e d c o up le a nd
the ir g ue sts a tte nd a c e le b ra to ry fe a st c a lle d ma ka n
b e ra da b (fo rma l me a l). This invo lve s the b rid e & g ro o m
fe e d ing e a c h o the r swe e te ne d ric e . The c e le b ra tio ns a re
c o nc lud e d b y p o sing fo r fa mily p ho to g ra p hs.



 Chine se ma rria g e is a

c e re mo nia l ritua l within
C hine se so c ie tie s tha t
invo lve
a
ma rria g e
e sta b lishe d
by
p re a rra ng e me nt b e twe e n
fa milie s.


 Within C hine se

c ulture ,
ro ma ntic
lo ve
wa s
a llo we d , & mo no g a my
wa s the no rm fo r mo st
o rd ina ry c itize ns.

 The

p ro c e ss b e g a n
with a n e la b o ra te
ma rria g e
p ro p o sa l
a nd a c c e p ta nc e .
 The imp o rta nt we re
the p a re nts o f the
p ro sp e c tive b rid e &

g ro o m.



 Bo th

se ts
of
p a re nts
e xc ha ng e d
fa mily
c re d e ntia ls a s to ke ns o f
inte ntio n.

 Afte r

p re se nting
e ng a g e me nt to ke ns c ho se
a mo ng se ve ra l fo rtuna te
we d d ing d a te s sug g e ste d

b y the b o y’ s fa mily & a lso
se t a d a te fo r p re se nting
b e tro tha l g ifts.

 The

“ ha ir d re ssing ”
ritua l o f the b rid e a nd
the “ c a p p ing ” ritua l o f
the g ro o m symb o lize d
the ir
sta rting
into
a d ultho o d .
 RED, symb o lic o f jo y

 Insta lling

the

b rid a l

bed.

 Symb o l o f

ma ny
c hild re n a nd living
ma te s.
 Afte r the
b e d is
re p la c e d ,
c hild re n
a re invite d o nto the
b e d a s a n o me n o f
fe rtility.

 Te a

is use b e c a use
no t e ve ryo ne
c an
d rink a lc o ho l.
 Lo tus se e d & 2 d a te s
a re use in te a fo r 2
re a so ns.
 C hine se
b e lie ve d
p utting
this
ite m
to g e the r wo uld he lp
the m p ro d uc e d c hild
e a rly the ma rria g e .



 C hine se c ha ra c te r a nd

 Brid e

se rve te a to he r
p a re nt to sho w re sp e c t
a nd to tha nk fo r ra ising
he r.
 Brid e in fro nt fa the r in
la w
while
the
b rid e g ro o m in fro nt o f
his mo the r.
 In re turn, the y re c e ive d
a luc ky re d e nve lo p e .

 Two fa milie s g e tting

we d d e d
so c ia lly
with
muc h
le ss
e mp ha sis o n the
ind ivid ua ls invo lve d .
 C o mb ina tio n
of
lo c a l, re lig io ns a nd
fa mily tra d itio ns.

e le me nt tha t inc lud e d :
 A d ra g o n a p ho e nix
- whic h a lso me a ns
d o ub le ha p p ine ss.
 C o me in re d c o lo ur.

 Ma ny a sp e c ts to b e c o nc e rn.

 Info rma tio n g a in fro m the ma in






p e rso n
invo lve
a nd
a lso
ind ire c tly thro ug h frie nd s &
re la tive s.
Thre e imp o rta nt thing s in Ind ia n
tra d itio na l we d d ing :
Visit to
b rid e ho use
(p e n
p a rta a l)
He ld a p ro mise (nic c a ya m)
G iving p re se nt (p a risa m)



 To

se e
the
b rid e
a p p e a ra nc e
a nd
c ha ra c te r.
 The re p re se nta tive s must
b e o d d in numb e r.
 The so uve nirs, suc h a s
c o c o nut,
sire h,
c e nda na , fruits, music a l
a nd kumkum p o wd e r will
b e b ring a lo ng .

 Nic c iya m

c e re mo ny
b y whic h p re se nts
suc h a s c lo the s is
g ive n.
 The b rid e g ro o m is no t
a llo we d to g o o ut
within
thre e
d a ys
b e fo re the g re a t d a y.

 Divid e d into two :

 No rma l p a risa m-g iving p re se nt ha d d o ne

e a rlie r b e fo re we d d ing
 Ud a n p a rism-g iving p re se nt o n we d d ing
d a y e a rly in the mo rning

 Symb o l

o f d e vo te d
G o d in a ma rria g e .

to

 Do ne 7 o r 9 d a ys b e fo re

the we d d ing d a y.

 G o ld , c e nda na , kumkum,

 3 a sp e c ts:
i) Invita tio n c a rd , ii) Pre p a ra tio n o f Tha a li
iii) Mukuurtta Ka a l
Invita tion Ca rd

 The invita tio n c a rd is wip e d with liq uid o f kunyit

a nd is b ro ug ht to the kuil in o dd numb e r.

sire h Pina ng , c o c o nut
a nd p a yme nt fo r the
tha a li ma king .
 3
d a ys
b e fo re
the
we d d ing , tha a li will b e
ta ke n a nd p la c e d a t the
kuil.



 Do ne

5 d a ys b e fo re
the we d d ing d a y.
 Do ne a c c o rd ing to
the Ind ia n g o o d d a y.
 A yo ung a nd stra ig ht
p la nt is c ho se n.
 Symb o lize d
as
we d d ing will b e he ld
a t the ir ho use .

 The

p ra ying c e re mo ny
will b e d o ne b y the
ma rrie d c o up le & 5 o the r
wo me n.
 5 typ e s o f se e d s is
sc a tte re d o nto the wo o d
strip & a n o il la mp will b e
lig hte d up .
 The c o up le will ma ke a
p ro mise

 Wo o d

strip is ta ke n
a nd c le a ne d .
 5
wo me n,
who
a lre a d y
ma rrie d
wip e d the liq uid o f
kunyit a nd kumkum
o n the wo o d strip .
 Its
symb o lize
of
we a lth.

 Thiruma na n is d e fine d

a s the unity thro ug h a
ma rria g e whic h will
e nsure
tha t
the
c o up le
will
la st
fo re ve r.
 Typ e s o f ma rria g e in
the Ind ia n b e lie fs tha t
b a se d o n the a sp e c t
o f ra c e ’ s p a rts.



 The we d d ing c e re mo ny

is d o ne b y Pe da nda :
 p ra y fo r the ma rrie d
c o up le to live ha p p ily
e ve r a fte r.
 sc a tte r a kind o f
se e d ling s
a fte r
finishe d
the
c e re mo ny o f c a sing
the ring .



Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Su‘aidi Dato’ Hj. Safei



 The  flag  of  Malaysia,  also  known  as 
the "Jalur Gemilang" (Stripes of Glory), 
comprises a field of 14 alternating red 
and  white  stripes  along  the  fly  and  a 
blue  canton  bearing  a  crescent  and  a 
14‐point  star  known  as  the  Bintang 
Persekutuan (Federal Star).  

 The  14  stripes,  of  equal  width,  represent  the  equal  status  in  the 
federation  of  the  13  member  states  and  the  federal  government, 
while  the  14  points  of  the  star  represent  the  unity  between  these 
entities. 
 The crescent represents Islam, the country's official religion; the blue 
canton symbolizes the unity of the Malaysian people; the yellow of the 
star and crescent is the royal colour of the Malay rulers. 

 the arts and other manifestations of human
intellectual achievement regarded collectively.
 e.g."20th century popular culture“
the
arts,
the
 synonyms:
humanities,
civilization,
intellectual
achievement, literature, music, painting,
philosophy, the performing arts







 Percentage distribution
of Malaysian population
by religion in 2010

Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Su‘aidi Dato’ Hj. Safei

 Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, and the Government
actively promotes the spread of Islam in the country and its
friendship with other Muslim countries.

 In Malaysia, the Census in 2010 show approximately in 61.3% of
the total population are Muslims, 19.8% are Buddhism, 9.2% are
Christian, 6.3% are Hindus and other 3.4% make their belief
such as Conservatism, Taoism, Bhai and etc.

 A mosque is a place of worship
for followers of Islam.

Religious Building In Malaysia

1

 Muslims often refer to the
mosque by its Arabic name,
masjid.

 The word "mosque" in English
refers to all types of buildings
dedicated for Islamic worship,
although there is a distinction in
Arabic between the smaller,
privately owned mosque and the
larger, "collective" mosque, which
has more community and social
amenities.

1

Activity done in mosque

DOME
WUDU’ AREA

PRAYER AREA
ATRIUM & MIMBAR

CHURCH
FONT

PEW

Dutch square in Melaka

Cathedral of the Diocese of Penang

1

2

Congregation in a church

Hindu’s temple, Johor

Chinese temple, Penang

Activity done in Hinduism temple

1

Chinese temple, Penang

Chinese temple, Malacca

Activity done in Buddhism temple

3



Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Su‘aidi Dato’ Hj. Safei



Malaysian have various types of traditional
clothes which in numerous shapes, and colors.
For example, ‘tengkolok bulu burung’ and ‘baju
kulit kayu’ until antique royal clothes.
These traditional clothes usually wear in the
important events as the symbolic of all the races
in Malaysia.

The


traditional costumes for Malays are being classified
into 2 categories for men and women. For men, we have
Baju Melayu and Tanjak. And for women, we have Baju
Kurung, Baju Kebaya, Baju Kebarung and Tudung .
These


Malay traditional costumes are usually worn
during Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Haji, wedding
occasions and sometimes visits to relatives. It can also
be worn at any time of the day.



The









Baju kurung was introduced after the Islam came to
Tanah Melayu at the 20 century
Baju kurung is the loose clothes and cover the body
which suitable for the Islam country
Baju kurung can be suited with ‘songkek’ or ‘batik’.
Usually, wear with ‘kain selendang’ or scarft.
Nowadays, baju kurung can be found in different
styles. These clothes are being tailored so that they
suit the person wearing it. Among the baju kurung
that have been tailored are "baju kurung labuh",
"baju kurung moden", "baju kurung cekak", "baju
kurung Kedah" and others.

baju kurung looks quite like men’s wear. It is a
simple knee-length blouse worn over a long skirt
pleated at the side.The outfit is completed with a
selendang or tudung around the shoulders or on the
head . Baju kurung too can be matched with "kain
songket", "batik" or even "pelikat".
The


baju kurung is more liked by people because it
covers the whole body except for the palms and
the face which is considered to be polite. The baju
kurung is more suitable with the teachings of Islam
as it is not exposing the whole body except for the
palms and the face.

Baju


melayu consists of two types which ‘baju melayu teluk
belanga’ and ‘baju melayu cekak musang’
Baju


Melayu are worn by Malay men. It is worn especially on
Fridays for the Friday prayers. It is also worn for wedding
ceremonies and other occasions.
Other


than being matched with the “seluar"(trousers), the
baju Melayu can also be worn with "kain pelikat".
These


kinds of clothes can be seen worn during wedding
ceremonies and also Hari Raya. It is also wear with
‘samping’ which tied in waist.



hinese clothes usually worn by chinese
C
community. It
has varied by region and time until
today.
he chinese traditional cloths has
T
special name, the tangzhuang
included the changshan worn by men
and the qipao worn by women
For women, a transformation of the
traditional qipao (cheongsam)
resulted in a slender and form fitting
dress with a high cut, resulting in the
contemporary image of a cheongsam but
contrasting sharply with the traditional
qipao.



For Asian inspired clothing from Japanese kimono
to Hong Kong fashion and traditional Chinese
clothes to make chinese coths.

For Malay Historical,chinese clothes was separated
because malacca became the centre of trade in
past century. Started from that,the culture and
traditional cloth become chinese community culture
in Malaysia
. It developed from Malacca to Penang, and last at

Kuala Lumpur







Comfortable and
elegance, the traditional cheongsam or
long dress also popular contemporary
fashion for ladies.
Usually it has a height
collar, button, or frog closures near the
shoulder, a snug fit at the waist and slits
on either one or both sides
It is often make
shimmering silk embroidered sathin or
other sensual fabrics



This jacket pattern with
chinese characteristics
means blessing. The coat
edge is golden or golden
button
There silk fabric
characteristics are smooth,
soft and comfortable.

This jacket pattern with chinese
characteristics means blessing. The coat
edge is golden or golden button
There silk fabric characteristics are
smooth, soft and comfortable.

ndian clothing has been
I
influence by diverse cultures
influencing time in memorial.
he sari itself historian said
T
that back to the Indus Valley
Civilization with floweries in
2800 – 1800 BC, in the northwestern, part of India.
n fact of studies show that the
I
men’s dhoti is a prototype of
the sari and both sexes.



Sabah


have numerous of ethnics. Each
ethnics have their own clothes and
accessories.
Among


of their interesting accessories are
Kadazan-Dusun women plaits caps, ‘bajau
ethnics bastar’ and ‘headgear of Lotud
ethnics’ which shown the total of wives for
the men who wear it.

Sarawak


is the biggest country in Malaysia which have
variety of ethnic
Usually,


they used clothes that made up by hand, bark
cloth, chicken fur, and bead
Sarawak


famous with ‘pua kumbu iban’, ‘kain songket
melayu sarwak’, ‘variety of traditional accessories’ and
‘tengkolok bulu burung’





Baba


and Nyonya is a Chinese community in the
strait state, Malay land, especially Malacca.
They


were called themselves Baba and Nyonya
because of their cultures is came from Chinese
heritage, but they were also influence in Malay
culture.
The

socio culture were absorbed in the past which
have mix marriage between Chinese and Malay so it
is why the next generation called them Baba and
Nyonya.









The traditional cloth for Nyonya is Kebaya Nyonya or Short
Kebaya.
Usually Short Kebaya always wear with sarong. Sometimes,
there some Nyonya wear with Chaylay Sarong to more elegant.
Design of the embroidery on Short Kebaya or Kebaya Nyonya
like insects, animals, birds and musical instruments.
Nyonya also wear is beaded slippers called Kasut Manek were
a hand-made made much skills and patent.
Baba traditional cloth it had multi-pockets jacket with a high
mandarin collar with gold stud any ivory buttons worn with
baggy wrap around pants and a topper hat.



Batik


word came from Jawa that means write. It refers
from clothes that have a light patterns and interesting.
The


types of batik such as ‘batik tulis’, ‘batik skrin’,
‘batik celup’, and ‘batik terap’.
Batik


is the one techniques that have art value and will
be half of world culture especially in Malay world like
Jawa.
Nowadays,


batik have a newest and latest pattern, but
the traditional of batik still produced.



Songket


is a type of embroidery clothe with a gold or silver
thread. The word of songket is mean carry out or pull the
thread from cloth or foretell by using gold or silver thread.

Songket is a fabric that belongs to the
brocade family of textiles. It is hand-woven in silk or cotton
and intricately patterned with gold or silver threads. The
metallic threads stand out against the background cloth to
create a shimmering effect. In the weaving process the

In


historical nobility, the Royal kinship and the important
person in the country always wear the songket.
It


shown the rank of person and the place of the person in
the country. This songket well-known in Malaysia and
Indonesia.

metallic threads are inserted in between the silk or cotton
weft (latitudinal) threads. The term songket comes from the
Malay word menyongket‘ to embroider with gold or silver
threads’. Songket is a luxury product traditionally worn during
ceremonial occasions as sarong, shoulder cloths or head ties.
Tanjak or Songket headdresses were worn at the courts of the

Songket


have high historical value as a heritage fabric
quality. Other than that, it can lift up prestige the person
who wear it with a motif and color of loom as the symbol of
the person prestige.

Malay Sultanates.Traditionally Muslim women and adolescent
girls wore songket; "some boys and men are also weaving
today".





Some of the Malaysian attractions are cuisine.
Malaysia have many kind of

food. It’s a

combination from multi-ethnic population.

Roti Canai

Curry puff

Ketupat

Laksa

Lemang

Nasi Kandar

Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Su‘aidi Dato’ Hj. Safei

Roti Canai
• A flatbread found in Malaysia.
• Often sold at Mamak Stalls.

Roti Canai continue…
• There are two ways to make roti canai :
1.

twirl it until the dough becomes a very thin sheet and
then folded into a circular shape.

• Introduced by immigrant labour from the
2.

spread out the dough as thinly as possible before being

Madras region.
folded.

• Many of them served with
dhal.

1

Curry Puff
• Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai snack which is

Curry Puff continue…
• You can found this food in many stalls in Malaysia
especially Malay and Indian stalls.

of Malay origin.
• Small pie consisting of specialised curry with
chicken and potatoes in a deep-fried pastry shell.
• The curry is quite thick to prevent it from oozing
out of the snack.

Ketupat

Ketupat continue…
• Two of the more common variety of ketupat

• Made from rice that have been wrapped in a woven palm leaf
pouch which is then boiled.
• As the rice cooks, the grains expand to fill the pouch and the
rice becomes compressed.
• Ketupat is usually eaten with rendang.

is ketupat nasi and ketupat palas.
• Ketupat nasi is made from white rice and is
wrapped in a square shape with coconut palm leaves.
• Ketupat pulut is made from glutinous rice is usually wrapped
in a triangular shape using the
leaves of the fan palm.

2

Laksa comparison

Laksa

Curry Laksa

• Popular spicy noodle soup from Peranakan culture also
known as Baba and Nyonya, which is a merger of Chinese
and Malay elements found in Malaysia.
• Have two main general types which
is curry laksa and assam laksa.

Assam Laksa

Coconut milk is used

No coconut milk used

Curry-like soup

Fish paste soup, tastes sour due to tamarind

Except for bean sprouts, no other vegetable is used

Pineapple, shredded cucumber, raw onions may be
used

Tofu puff is used

No tofu puff used

Served with thick or thin rice vermicelli (usually thick).
Occasionally served with yellow mee.

Served with thick or thin rice vermicelli (usually
thick)

Hard-boiled egg may be added

No hard-boiled egg added

Slices of fish cake and either prawns or chicken is used

Fish, normally kembung fish, is used

• Curry laksa use coconut curry based
soup while assam laksa is fish sour based soup.

Lemang
• A traditional food, originating with the Iban people of
Malaysia.
• Cooked in a hollowed bamboo stick lined with banana leaf to

Lemang continue…
• Usually eaten with chicken curry or with durian.
• Demand increase dramatically during raya celebration.
• It has been the official identity of Sarawak.

prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo.
• Made of glutinous rice and coconut milk, with salt added for
taste.

3

Nasi Kandar
• A popular northern Malaysian dish, which originates from
Penang.
• a meal of steamed rice which can be plain or mildly
flavoured, and served with a variety of
curries and side dishes.
• Is seen on most Tamil Muslim or

Nasi Kandar continue…
• Accompanied by side dishes such as fried chicken, curried
spleen, cubed beef, fish roe, fried prawns or fried squid.
• The vegetable dish would usually be brinjal (aubergine), okra
(lady fingers or "bendi") or bitter gourd.
• A mixture of curry sauces that called 'banjir' (flooding) and
imparts a diverse taste to the rice.

"Malaysian Mamak" restaurants and
Indian-Muslim stall meals.

4

•Malay 
Cuisine: 
-U lam u lam an
-As am
Pe d as
-Laks a
Saraw ak

•Chinese 
Cuisine: 
 

‐Yong Tau 
Fuu 
 
–Hainan 
Chicken 
Rice 
 
–‘Pulut 
Kunyit” 

•Indian 
Cuisine: 
 
‐Dosa 
 
‐Putu Mayam 
 
‐Laddu 

Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Su‘aidi Dato’ Hj. Safei

ULAM – ULAMAN 
 
 Ulam comprised of young shoots or leaves of various plants. 
 Mostly eaten raw or sliced thinly . 

 Made into salad or eaten with sambal belacan, budu, or 

tempoyak. 

 Taste bitter, but in the Malay culture, the bitterness is the 

cure. 

 The Malays also believe that daily consumption 

   of ulam would make you look younger even though  
  you are actually aging. 
 They are cheap and available. 
 Modern science also has proven it  contain high levels 
   of antioxidants and also phytochemicals.  
 

1

 

 
ULAM RAJA (COSMOS CAUDATUS) 

PETAI (PARKIA SPECIOSA) 
 
 



 

It bears long, flat edible 
beans with bright green seeds the size ,have a rather 
peculiar smell. 
 

Strong smell is very 
pervasive. It lingers in the mouth and body. 
 

Contains certain amino 
acids that give a strong smell to one's urine. 
 

Their complex 
carbohydrates can also cause strong‐smelling 
flatulence. 
 

   
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

BUDU 

 

• Literally meaning "the King’s salad", 
•  was brought by the Spaniards from Latin America. 

 
• Malay word used to describe a preparation that combines 

food, medicine and beauty is the widely popular Malay 
herbal salad. 
 
• As a Malaysian delight, it is served throughout the country 

from major hotels for tourists to buffet lunches or dinners 
for the locals. 

 

CINCALOK  OR CENCALUK 
  

 Is a Malacca food.  

 Made of fermented small shrimps or krill. In Malacca, the 

shrimp is called udang geragau. 

• Is a fish sauce and one of the best known fermented 

seafood products in Kelantan, Malaysia. 
• It is traditionally made by mixing anchovy and salt in the 
range of ratio of 2:1 to 6:1 and allows fermenting for 140 to 
200 days. 
• It is used as a flavoring and is normally taken with fish, rice 
and raw vegetables. 
• It is high in protein and uric acid content, thus not 
recommended for people with gout condition. 

 It is usually served as a condiment together with chillis , 

shallots and lime juice. 

 The shrimp in the pinkish coloured cincalok are readily 

identifiable and the taste is salty. 
 

 

2

ASAM PED AS

ASAM PEDAS MUAR
 Asam pedas came from to different places that is Muar, 

Johor and Melaka. 
 My specialized is Asam Pedas Muar. 

Ingredients : 
Cooking Oil, Onion, Garlic, Turmeric, 
Ginger, Blended Chilies, Water, Sour 
tamarind, Salt. 
Fish (“kembung” / “pari” / “sembilang” / 
“merah” / “mayong”) 
Extra Ingredients : 
“Torch Ginger Flower” / “Coriander  Leaves” 
/ “Curry Leaves”  
Tomato 
Lady Finger 
Bringer 

LAKSA SARAWAK 
 Sarawak laksa (Malay: Laksa Sarawak) comes from the town 

of Kuching in the Malaysian state Sarawak, on the island of 
Borneo. It is actually very different from the curry laksa as the 
soup contains no curry in its ingredient at all. It has a base of 
Sambal belacan, sour tamarind, garlic, galangal, lemon grass and 
coconut milk, topped with omelette strips, chicken strips, 
prawns, fresh coriander and optionally lime. Ingredients such as 
bean sprouts, (sliced) fried tofu or other seafood are not 
traditional but are sometimes added . 

Ingredients 

 750 grammes of bee hoon (pre‐soaked)  

 1.2 kilogrammes of medium‐sized prawns 

(with head and shell)  

 1.5 kilogramme chicken (whole bird minus the 

head and feet)  

 5 eggs  

 500 grammes of bean sprouts  
 16 to 20 pieces of lime  

 900 grammes of Sarawak Laksa paste (I used 

the “Swallow” brand)  

 Coconut milk from 1 1/2 coconuts (about 300 

mls)  

 Salt and sugar to taste  

 20 bowls of water (about 8 litres)  

 Coriander leaves (for garnishing)  

3

Also spelled yong tao foo,
yong tau fu, or yong tau hu
It is a Chinese soup dish
with Hakka origins commonly
found in China,
Singapore and Malaysia.
There are also Teochew
and Hokkien variations.
 

Yong Tau Foo is:
A clear soup containing a varied selection of f various 
forms of fresh produce, seafood and meats common 
in Chinese cuisine.  
The foods are sliced into bite‐size pieces, cooked briefly 
in boiling broth.  
To prepare the dish a steamed rice‐flour roll and a 
vegetable (kangkong ) are boiled to heat and soften 
them.  
The food items are drained and eaten with sesame seeds, 
chili sauce and a hoisin based sauce. 
The dish is eaten with chopstick and a soup spoon and 
can be eaten by itself . 

•Another variation of this dish is to serve it with laksa
gravy or curry sauce.
• Essential accompaniments are spicy, vinegary chili
sauce, similar to Indonesian sambal oelek, and a
distinctive brown sweet noodle sauce or hoisin
sauce for dipping.

4

 History 

 Chinese chicken rice is a dish of Chinese origin most 

commonly associated with Malaysian cuisine or 
Singaporean cuisine 
 Although it is also commonly sold in neighbouring 
Thailand, and found in Hainan, China itself.  
 So‐called due to its roots in Hainan cuisine and its 
adoption by the Hainanese overseas Chinese 
population in the Nanyang area, the version found in 
Malaysia/Singapore combines elements of Hainanese 
and Cantonese cuisines along with culinary 
preferences in the Southeast Asian region. 
 

Nasi  Kunyit  is  actually  Baba  and  Nyonya 
traditional  food(rice).  Nasi  kunyit  is  rice  dish 
transcend two cultures, Chinese and Malay. 
Nasi kunyit usually served at festival like
Chinese New Year and wedding.
The Malays served it during festive season like
Aidilfitri and Aidiladha.
Beside that, nasi kunyit also is a favorite tea
time or breakfast accompaniment. 
 

Ingredients 

 1 1/2 kg whole chickens  
 1 sprig celery leaves 

Dipping Sauces 

 1 tablespoon ginger, finely sliced  
 2 tablespoons soy sauce 

 3 peppercorns 

 1 red chilli, chopped or 

 2 spring onions, roughly 

Soup 

 1 teaspoon salt  

chopped  

 3 tablespoons peanut oil  

1 teaspoon sambal oelek 
 1/2 cup Chinese cabbage, finely 

shredded  

 1 tablespoon sesame oil  

 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, 

 2 teaspoons garlic, finely grated  

 1 large onion, finely sliced  

 1 tablespoon ginger, finely grated  
 2 cups short‐grain rice 

chopped  
 

 

 Glutinous  rice,  dried  tamarind  skin,  turmeric 

powder,  salt,  coconut  milk,  water,  white 
peppercorns, pandan leaves, cloves and cinnamon 
stick. 
 

 

5

 Just roast all ingredient except pandan leaves and 

glutinous rice in two minutes then mix with glutinous 
rice into the bowl.Let it sit for all the night or at least 
for 6 hour. 
   Then steam glutinous rice with pandan leaves and all 
other ingredient for two hours. 
 
 .. 

 The dosa is a southern indian delicacy  whose origins 

are  unclear.  It  is  generally  believed  that  dosa  is 
supposed to have had its roots in the Temple Streets 
of Udupi, Karnataka. 
 Dosa  is  basically  a  crepe  made  from  rice  and    black 
lentils.  It  is  a  typical  South  Indian  dish,  eaten  for 
breakfast or dinner, and is rich in carbohydrates and 
protien. 

 Preparation: 

 Made from rice and split skinned urat bean (black lentil) 

blended with water and left to ferment overnight.  

 Characteristically the rice is very finely ground.  

  The urad bean and rice can be replaced with highly refined 

wheat flour to make a maida dosa or semolina for a rave 
dosa. 

6

 The batter is then ladled in small amounts onto a 

hot greased tava, where it is spread out into a thin 
circle and fried with oil or ghee until golden 
brown. This is the case in a very short time.  
 
 The dosa may then be folded in half and served or 
rolled as in a wrap, but in both cases it is cooked 
on a single side. Alternatively, it may be flipped to 
cook on the other side and then served. 
 
 

BOONDI LADOO RECIPE 

 

Ingredients: 
 1 cup Besan  

1 pinch Kesari 
1 pinch Cardamom powder  
1 tbsp Rice flour  
1 pinch Baking Powder  
1 tbsp Melon seeds  
1 tbsp Broken Cashew nut  
2 cups Oil Sugar  
1 cup Water  
 How to make boondi laddu: 
•Mix the flour, rice flour, baking powder and colour.  
•Make a smooth thick batter. Heat the oil. Take the batter and pour it over a sieve with round 

holes.  
•Tap it gently with a spoon so that small balls of dough fall into the oil. Make the balls and 
keep aside. Heat the sugar and water till reaches 1/2 thread consistency. 
•Mix in the kesari melon seed and cardamom powder and fried boondies. When the mixture 
is still warm make into balls. Bondi Ladoo are ready to be served 
•If the mixture cools balls cannot be made as the sugar crystallizes.  
•  

Rava Ladoo Recipe: 
 
 

 Putu mayam is a sweet dish. It is popular in southern 

 
 

 
Ingredients: 



500 gms. Soji; 2 tbsps. Ghee; 500 gms. Sugar; ½ cup currants; 2 cups milk 
and ½ cup cashew nuts, fried. 
 

Method: 
Fry soji in a saucepan on a slow fire till it turns slightly brown in color. 
Now add sugar, ghee and milk and fry till the mixture becomes sticky. 
Break the nuts into small pieces and add them along with the currants, 
Remove the mixture from the fire, and when cool enough to handle, 
roll into even sized ladoos. 
  





India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, as a 
snack or breakfast food. 
Consist of mixing rice flour or idiyappam flour with water 
and/or coconut milk, and pressing the dough through a 
sieve to make vermicelli‐like noodles.  
These are steamed, with the addition of juice from the 
pandan leaf as flavouring. 
 The noodles are served with grated coconut and jaggery, 
or, preferably, gur (date palm sugar).  
In some areas, gula melaka (coconut palm sugar) is the 
favourite sweetener. 

 

7

 Music of Ma laysia is the g e ne ric te rm fo r music
tha t ha s b e e n c re a te d in va rio us g e nre s in
Ma la ysia . A g re a t va rie ty o f g e nre s in Ma la ysia n
music re fle c t the sp e c ific e thnic g ro up s o f
multira c ia l
Ma la ysia n
so c ie ty
c o nsisting
o f Ma la y, C hine se , Ind ia n, Ib a n, Da ya k, Ka d a za n
d usun, Eura sia ns a nd o the r g ro up s.
 In g e ne ra l, music o f Ma la ysia ma y b e c a te g o rise d
a s c la ssic a l, fo lk, sync re tic (o r a c c ultura te d
music ), p o p ula r a nd c o nte mp o ra ry a rt music .

Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Su‘aidi Dato’ Hj. Safei

 The re a re fo ur c a te g o rie s in
tra d itio na l music a l instrume nt :
- c ho rd o p ho ne
- id io p ho ne
- a e ro p ho ne
- me mb ra no p ho ne

C HO RDO PHO NE
- C ho rd o p ho ne is string instrume nts
- Exa mp le :

GAMBUS 
SAPE 
REBAB 

1

IDIO PHO NE

AERO PHO NE

- Id io p ho ne is p e rc ussio n instrume nts o f fixe d
immo va b le surfa c e

- Ae ro p ho ne is wind instrume nts
- Exa mp le :

- Exa mp le :CANANG 

HARMO NIU
M

GERETEH 

GONG 

SERUNAI

ANGKLUNG 

MEMBRANO PHO NE
-

me mb ra no p ho ne is d rum-so und p ro d uc e d b y me mb ra ne c o ve re d music a l instrume nts.

-

Exa mp le :
REBANA

G EDUK

 Na me

: G e re te h

 O rig in

: We st Suma tra

 C la ssific a tio n
 Use s

BEDUK

KO MPANG

REBANA

 Ma d e

: Io d o p ho ne
: to a c c o mp a ny the Pe nc a k Sila t,
Ta ri Lilin, Ra nd a i a nd Ta ri Ina i
p e rfo rma nc e s with o the r instrume nt
: b ro nze (using the mo uld te c hniq ue )

2

 Na me

: G o ng

 C la ssific a tio n: Id io p ho ne
 O rig in

: So uth Ea st Asia

 Typ e s : susp e nd e d g o ng s(fla t),

b o sse d g o ng s (ra ise d c e nte r), b o wl
g o ng s (b o wl-sha p e )

 Usa g e
: Fo rm the b a c kb o ne
o f mo st Ma la y fo lk music e nse mb le s
& use d fo r ne a rly e ve ry so c ia l e ve nt
 Ma d e

: Me ta l, c o p p e r

 Ho w to Pla y : It’ s b e a te n with a
ma lle t (a ro und ha rd le a the rc o ve re d p a d , fitte d o n a sho rt stic k)

 Name      : Seruling 
 Classification  :  Aerophone 
 Origin      : China 
 Uses 
 
    : Playing in orchestra,  accompany 
singing 
 How to play     :put the lower lip at first hole and blown a 
cross the edge and held straight during playing for 
entertainment,is blown and held horizontally.this instrument is 
nose flute 

d
b

 The se ruling is ma d e fro m b a mb o o . It c o me s in a fe w
typ e s o f d e sig n a nd sha p e s a nd ha s d iffe re nt
numb e rs o f ho le s.
 This instrume nt is sa id to b e a n ind ig e no us instrume nt
o f this re g io n. It e xists e ve rywhe re in so uthe a st a sia .
 In c a kle mp o ng tha t flo urishe s in Ne g e ri Se mb ila n, this
instrume nt c o me s in 3 sha p e s with d iffe re nt na me s
like ‘ sa lung ’ ,’ b a ng si’ ,’ p up ut’ a nd ‘ se ruling ’ .

3

 Na me

: Se runa i

 O rig in

: Ma la y

 C la ssific a tio n: Ae ro p ho ne
 Usa g e

: use d in wa ya ng
kulit a nd sila t sho w

 Ho w to p la y : p ut the fo ur
la ye r le a ve s into the mo uth.
Blo w it & p ut the fing e rs o n
the ho le s to p ro d uc e
so und s. The b re a th
te c hniq ue s must b e c o rre c t
to p e rfo rm a g o o d rythms
 Ma d e : wo o d & b a mb o o

 Na me

: Ko mp a ng

 C la ssific a tio n: Me mb ra no p ho ne
 O rig in

: Ma la y

 Usa g e
: usua lly fo und in la rg e ko mp a ng e nse mb le s
thro ug ho ut Ma la ysia , p la ying inte rlo c king rhythmic p a tte rns fo r
p ro c e ssio ns, to a c c o mp a ny the c ho ra l sing g ing o f zikir a nd to
p e rfo rm music fo r va rio us so c ia l o c c a sio ns

 Ho w to Pla y : use d b o th ha nd , le ft a nd rig ht. O ne ho ld the
ko mp a ng a nd o the r ha nd use to b e a ts it c o ntinuo usly. Ko mp a ng
a re p la ye d in a g ro up b a se d o f thre e re nta k , re nta k b ia sa ,
re nta k ke nc e t, a nd re nta k se p ulih.
 Ma d e

: g o a ts o r c o w hid e skin a nd wo o d

4

 Na me

: G e nd a ng

 Ma d e

: wo o d a nd c o w o r g o a t hid e skin

 C la ssific a tio n: Me mb ra no p ho ne
 O rig in
: Ma la y
 Use s
: a c c o mp a ny the a no the r music a l instrume nt
in sila t sho w o r d a nc e s a nd fe stiva l o c c a sio n
 Ho w to Pla y : fo r the sma ll g e nd a ng it c a n b e a ting
whe the r
with ha nd o r fing e rs a nd fo r the b ig
g e nd a ng it usua lly b e a t b y ha nd o r
stic k tha t
ma ke b y wo o d

 Na me

: G a me la n

 C la ssific a tio n: Id io p ho ne
 O rig in
 Use s

:
:

Ind o ne sia
a c c o mp a ny the d a nc e , le a the r
p up p e ts p e rfo rma nc e .

 C o nsist o f

: C a kle mp o ng , g o ng , re b a b , c a na ng .

 Ho w to Pla y : d iffe re nt kind o f instrume nt ha ve
d iffe re nt wa y to p la y it.
 Ma d e

:

wo o d s a nd me ta ls

5

This is a c la ssic a l C hine se da nc e
tha t da te s b a c k to the Ta ng dyna sty
in the e a rly e ig hty c e ntury.

Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Su‘aidi Dato’ Hj. Safei

The fa n da nc e o rig ina te s fro m the
fa n pe rfo rm a nc e s in a nc ie nt psyc hic
c o nduc ts & fo lk- c usto m a c tivitie s

This da nc e fe a ture s ro und silk o r fe a the r fa ns
whic h is a c c o m pa nie d b y m usic using C hine se
instrum e nts, suc h a s Erhu a nd Pipa tha t is
c ha ra c te rize d b y its re fre shing & po e tic m o o d



The fa n da nc e hig hlig hts de lic a te
Fa ns pla y a b ig pa rt in C hine se fo lk da nc e
e spe c ia lly to pe o ple in the no rth pa rt o f
C hina .
The y use a ll kinds o f b e a utiful fa ns in the ir
da nc e s to e xpre ss the ir e xc ite m e nt fo r the
c o m ing spring s.

This da nc e displa ys m a ny fo rm a tio ns
& pa tte rns suc h a s flo we rs, wa ve s & dra g o ns

m o ve m e nts with c o nsta ntly c ha ng ing
rhythm , whic h is dyna m ic a nd g ra c e ful.










Lio n d a nc e ( wǔshī) is a fo rm o f tra d itio na l d a nc e in C hine se
c ulture a nd o the r Asia n c o untrie s in whic h p e rfo rme rs mimic a
lio n's mo ve me nts in a lio n c o stume .
The lio n d a nc e is usua lly p e rfo rme d d uring the C hine se Ne w
Ye a r a nd o the r C hine se tra d itio na l, c ultura l & re lig io us fe stiva ls.
It ma y a lso b e p e rfo rme d a t imp o rta nt o c c a sio ns suc h a s
b usine ss o p e ning e ve nts, sp e c ia l c e le b ra tio ns o r we d d ing
c e re mo nie s, o r ma y b e use d to ho no ur sp e c ia l g ue sts b y the
C hine se c o mmunitie s.
The C hine se lio n d a nc e is o fte n mista ke nly re fe rre d to
a s d ra g o n d a nc e . An e a sy wa y to te ll the d iffe re nc e is tha t a
lio n is no rma lly o p e ra te d b y two d a nc e rs, while a d ra g o n ne e d s
ma ny p e o p le .
Also , in a lio n d a nc e , the p e rfo rme rs' fa c e s a re o nly se e n
o c c a sio na lly, sinc e the y a re insid e the lio n. In a d ra g o n d a nc e ,
the p e rfo rme rs' fa c e s c a n b e e a sily se e n sinc e the d ra g o n is
he ld o n p o le s. C hine se lio n d a nc e fund a me nta l mo ve me nts
c a n b e fo und in mo st C hine se ma rtia l a rts.



Za p in is p o p ula r in Ind o ne sia & Ma la ysia ,
e sp e c ia lly in Jo ho r.
It is b e lie ve d to ha ve b e e n intro d uc e d b y
Ara b Muslim who c a me fro m Mid d le Ea st in
14th c e ntury.

It use d to be pe rfo rm e d e xc lusive ly fo r
re lig io us c e re m o nie s b ut thro ug h the
ye a rs it ha s b e c o me a fo rm o f
tra ditio na l e nte rta inm e nt.

Whe n this d a nc e is p re se nt, it is
a c c o mp a nie d b y tra d itio na l music
instrume nts suc h a s the
g a mb us,
a c c o rd io n, vio lin, ma rwa s, re b a na
(d rum ) & d o k



The re a re nume ro us fo rms o f Za p in
Da nc e s.
It va rie s fro m sta te to sta te ,fo r e xa mp le
Za p in Pa ha ng , Za p in Jo ho r & Za p in
ka ja ng .

‘ Ko la tta m’ o r the stic k d a nc e is o ne o f the mo st
p o p ula r d a nc e na rra tive s in And hra Pra d e sh. It
is a lso c a lle d a s Ko la nna lu o r Ko lko la nna lu.

The d a nc e wa s o rig ina lly p e rfo rme d b y
ma le s o nly ho we ve r it is a lso p e rfo rme d
b y fe ma le d a nc e rs the se d a ys.

Ko la tta m is a rura l a rt usua lly p e rfo rme d
d uring villa g e fe stiva ls.
It is a
c o mb ina tio n o f rhythmic
mo ve me nts, so ng s & music .



It is kno wn a s Da nd ia ra s in G ujra t,
G a rb ha in Ra ja stha n e tc .
The Ko la tta m g ro up c o mp rise s o f d a nc e rs
in the ra ng e o f 8 to 40 whic h is g ro up e d in
p a irs.

Ng a ja t d a nc e is ve ry fa mo us a mo ng O ra ng Ulu a t Sa ra wa k.
The o rig in o f this ind ig e no us d a nc e is no t c le a rly kno wn b ut
it is a sp iritua l & p hysic a l p ra c tic e , b e lie ve d to ha ve b e e n
p e rfo rme d b y wa rrio rs o n the ir re turn fro m b a ttle s.

The stic k p ro vid e s the ma in rhythm. The
Ko la tta m g ro up le d b y a le a d e r mo ve s
into two c irc le s, the inne r c irc le re c e ive s
the strike s while the o ute r c irc le d e live rs
the m.

This d a nc e is no w p e rfo rme d to c e le b ra te the
mo st imp o rta nt ha rve st fe stiva l c a lle d ‘ G a wa i’ ,
to we lc o me imp o rta nt g ue sts to the lo ng ho use s.



The ma le d a nc e rs we a r la rg e fe a the r a s p a rt o f
the ir he a d g e a r, ho ld a n o rna te & lo ng shie ld in
the ir ha nd with c ha ins, b e a d s & a lo inc lo ths c a lle d
the ‘ c a wa t’

The d a nc e is a rra ng e d in stra ig ht line s & in a
c irc le & invo lve s d ra ma tic le a p s & jump s
p e rfo rme d
by
the
ma le
d a nc e rs with
a c c o mp a ny o f music .

The fe ma le d a nc e rs ha ve a n e la b o ra te he a d d re ss,
c ha ins, b e a d s a nd a ‘ d re ss’ tha t re a c he s b e lo w o f
the ir kne e s with intric a te we a ving .
Tra d itio na lly this d a nc e wa s o nly p e rfo rme d b y ma le
d a nc e rs b ut no t a nymo re .

G o ng s a nd o the r e thnic p e rc ussio n
instrume nts suc h a s the ‘ e nke ro mo ng ’ ,
‘ b a d a i’ , ‘ c a na ng ’ , ‘ te ta wa k’ a nd
‘ d umb a k o r ke te b o ng ’ p ro vid e the music .



This d a nc e is o ne o f the mo st we ll kno wn
tra d itio na l d a nc e in Sa b a h a s we ll a s
thro ug ho ut Ma la ysia .

This d a nc e b e lo ng to the Ka d a za n Dusun
trib e . This ritua l d a nc e se rve s va rie d func tio n
suc h a s tha nksg iving fo r b o untiful p a d d y
p la nting , ha rve sting p ra ye r a g a inst e vil
sp irits a nd ho no uring the sp irits a s we ll a s to
c ure illne ss.

The mo ve me nts & rhythms o f this d a nc e
a re e le g a nt, so ft & slo w. The d a nc e rs, ma le
& fe ma le , will fa c e e a c h o the r, mo ve the ir
fe e t in sma ll mo ve me nts & mo ve he e ls up
& d o wn to the b e a t o f the music .

While d a nc ing , the d a nc e rs will sp re a d
up the ir ha nd s & mo ve it up & d o wn just
like a b ird sp re a d ing the ir wing s to fly.
This
Suma za u
d a nc e
is
usua lly
p e rfo rme d d uring fe stiva l o c c a sio ns &
g a the ring s.



The mo st e sse ntia l pa rt in ma inta ining the
c o ntinuity o f tra ditio na l g a me s is the
unifo rmity o f the a nc e sto r’s life style , it is
a lso kno wn a s a na tio n’s g a me .
Amo ng the se fe w g a me s, so me a re no t
pla ye d by ne w g e ne ra tio ns but o nly
kno wn by the pa re nts o r g ra ndpa re nts.

Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Su‘aidi Dato’ Hj. Safei

 C hildre n

no w pre fe r to pla y mo de rn
g a me s suc h a s c o mpute r g a me s, o r
a nything
tha t the y fe e l e a sy a nd
c o mfo rta ble to pla y.

 This

c a use s
tra ditio na l
g a me s
to
disa ppe a r be c a use o f the inno va tio n o f
the mo de rn g a me s.

 Ma la ysia n

tra ditio na l g a me s c a n pro mo te
to fo re ig ne rs o f the c ulture a s we ll a s
pla ying tra ditio na l g a me s.

 Fo re ig ne rs

no t o nly c a n kno w a lo t a bo ut
o ur c o untry, but the y c a n a lso le a rn ho w
to pla y tra ditio na l g a me s, Like “Gasing”,
“Batu Se re mban”, “Co ngkak” , a nd e tc .

 The

inno va tio n o f ne w te c hno lo g ie s
influe nc e s the c hildre n to pla y.

1

G a sing

C a ri C uc u

Se p a k Ra g a
Wa u
CHINESE

Yo yo

MALAY

C o ng ka k
Ba tu Se re mb a n

C hing a y

During the p e rio d o f the Me la ka Ma la y sulta na te s
(1400 A.D.) , se p a k ra g a wa s p la ye d no t o nly b y
no b le s, b ut a lso a fa vo rite o f the c o mmo n fo lks.
Fro m se ja ra h me la yu c hro nic a ls, the re wa s a sto ry o f
ho w Ra ja Muha mma d , ha s his he a d re ss kno c ke d o ff
a c c id e n