Zapin: Malaysian Folk Dance

The dance is called Zapin Tenglu, one of the many types of zapin dances in Malaysia.
This type of zapin dance is originated from the state of Johor and among the most popular Malay folk dance in Malaysia.

The dancers in this performance are those professional zapin dancers from Johor's Heritage Foundation funded by the State of Johor Government (Yayasan Warisan Johor), needless to say one of the best professional folk dancers group in the country and the Asean region!

Zapin or zafin was introduced to Malay archipelagos hundred of years ago by Arab traders who came here to trade and at the same time expand the teachings of Islam. After sometimes, the dance revolved to inculcate the values and tradition of the local Malay people until it wholly become unique in its own local way but still maintaining some important features of original Arabic zapin dance like the musical instruments used (gambus / oud, traditional drums etc.), the Middle East melody in its song and the identical 8-counting-basic-movements in its dance steps!

Apart from the Malaysia's state where the zapin is danced by its people like Johor, Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sarawak and Sabah, zapin is also danced by the people in its neighboring country like Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.

Traditional Malaysian Food

The variety of traditional Malaysian food is incredible. Traditional Malaysian food is the popular food in Malaysia. Although there are many restaurants in larger cities that serve foreign recipe such as from middle east, Europe and America, but traditional Malaysian food still can be found everywhere in Malaysia and they are cheap and delicious one at street stalls. Just to remind most Malaysian food is spicy and the common ingredient is coconut milk. 

Among the popular traditional Malaysian food such as Malay dishes that include many types of rendang such as beef rendang, lamb and chicken in coconut milk, satay a skewered meat in peanut sauce, a various types of glutinous rice cooked inside a banana leaf, ikan bilis a dried anchovies fried in a sauce and served with rice. 

The lontong is Malaysian food that made of compressed rice wrapped inside banana leaf that is then cut into small cakes as staple food replacement of steamed rice. The smaller size of lontong filled with vegetables such as carrot, common bean and potato. Sometimes it also filled with meat, are eaten as snack. Lontong is traditionally made by boiling the rice until it is partially cooked and packing it tightly into a rolled-up banana leaf. The leaf is secured and cooked in boiling water for about 90 minutes. Once the compacted rice has cooled, it can be cut up into bite-sized pieces. 

 

The murtabak is popular Malaysian food recipe, but many visitors miss out on this murtabak treat because many eateries promote naan and tandoori chicken over it. It is basically a plain roti canai, a pan-fried bread with an omelets-like stuffing with eggs and onions with chicken, beef or mutton with either curry sauce or dahl for it sauce. 

 

Penang Mee Rebus is just beautiful and rich in colour. It is combination of sour and savoury in taste. The noodles and bean sprouts are first blanched and the thick sweet potatoes gravy then poured into the noodle. The toppings consist of fried bean curd, boiled potatoes and eggs then finally garnished with a piece of lime, spring onion and chillies. Visit Penang CRC to try Penang Mee Rebus. 

 

Another traditional Malaysian food that can not be missed in everyday Malaysian life is Nasi Lemak. Nasi Campur is mixed rice in Malay and refers to a plate of white rice that you fill in your plate whatever suits your taste from the counter depend on which area you go. Nasi campur counter can have up to hundred different dishes covering everything you can think of from vegetables to the fish and types of meat. People usually add some ulam and Sambal Belacan that has famous aromatic sauce made of a grind mixture of shrimp paste, salt, chilies and lime juice that spice up your meal. 

 

Terengganu Nasi Dagang which is said is the rice that was eaten by trader on their business journey. The dish is mixes of rice and glutinous rice with coconut milk added once it is cooked. The rice is eaten with tuna curry and light vegetable pickles. Nasi dagang is, perhaps one of the most popular Malaysian traditional food representing food for states of Terengganu.

Sejarah dan Asal Usul Orang Melayu

Pengenalan

Melayu (ملايو) merujuk kepada mereka yang bertutur bahasa Melayu (بهاس ملايو) dan mengamalkan adat resam orang Melayu. Perkataan Melayu mungkin berasal daripada nama sebuah anak sungai yang bernama Sungai Melayu di hulu Sungai Batang Hari, Sumatera. Di sana letaknya "Kerajaan Melayu" sekitar 1500 tahun dahulu sebelum atau semasa adanya Kerajaan Srivijaya.

Sehubungan itu, dari segi etimologi, perkataan "Melayu" itu dikatakan berasal daripada perkataan Sanskrit "Malaya" yang bermaksud "bukit" ataupun tanah tinggi. Ada juga sumber sejarah yang mengatakan bahawa perkataan "Melayu" berasal dari "Sungai Melayu" di Jambi.

Etimologi

Istilah "Melayu" ditakrifkan oleh UNESCO pada tahun 1972 sebagai suku bangsa Melayu di Semenanjung Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Filipina, dan Madagaskar. Bagaimanapun menurut Perlembagaan Malaysia, istilah "Melayu" hanya merujuk kepada seseorang yang berketurunan Melayu yang menganut agama Islam. Dengan kata yang lain, bukan semua orang yang berketurunan daripada nenek moyang Melayu adalah orang Melayu.

Istilah "Melayu" untuk merujuk kepada nama bangsa atau bahasa adalah suatu perkembangan yang agak baru dari segi sejarah, iaitu setelah adanya Kesultanan Melayu Melaka. Walaupun demikian, tidaklah sehingga abad ke-17 bahawa istilah "Melayu" yang merujuk kepada bangsa semakin digunakan secara meluas. Sebelum itu, istilah "Melayu" hanya merujuk kepada keturunan raja Melayu dari Sumatera sahaja.

Penggunaan istilah "Melayu" muncul buat pertama pada kira-kira 100-150 Masihi dalam karya Ptolemy, Geographike Sintaxis, yang menggunakan istilah "maleu-kolon". G. E. Gerini menganggap istilah itu berasal daripada perkataan Sanskrit, iaitu malayakom atau malaikurram, yang merujuk kepada Tanjung Kuantan di Semenanjung Malaysia. Sebaliknya, Roland Bradell menganggap tempat itu merujuk kepada Tanjung Penyabung.

Istilah Malaya dvipa muncul dalam kitab Purana, sebuah kitab Hindu purba, yang ditulis sebelum zaman Gautama Buddha sehingga 500 Masihi. Dvipa bermaksud "tanah yang dikelilingi air" dan berdasarkan maklumat-maklumat yang lain dalam kitab itu, para pengkaji beranggapan bahawa Malaya dvipa ialah Pulau Sumatera.

Istilah "Mo-lo-yu" juga dicatat dalam buku catatan perjalanan pengembara Cina pada sekitar tahun 644-645 Masihi semasa zaman Dinasti Tang. Para pengkaji bersependapat bahawa perkataan "Mo-lo-yo" yang dimaksudkan itu ialah kerajaan yang terletak di Jambi di Pulau Sumatera, serta juga Sriwijaya yang terletak di daerah Palembang.

Penakrifan orang Melayu merupakan satu pekerjaan yang sukar. Sekiranya menurut penakrifan orang Melayu sebagai orang yang bertutur dalam Bahasa Melayu, penakrifan ini merangkumi kebanyakan orang di Malaysia, Indonesia, dan sebahagian dari negeri Thai dan Filipina. Tetapi, di Indonesia moden, orang Melayu ditakrifkan hanya sebagai salah satu daripada beratus-ratus kaum/suku di negara itu. Lebih-lebih lagi, warga Indonesia yang dilahirkan selepas kewujudan negara Indonesia lebih suka mengenali diri mereka sebagai orang Indonesia dan mengenali bahasa mereka sebagai bahasa Indonesia. Walaupun demikian, secara amnya terdapat dua jenis penakrifan untuk menentukan sama ada seseorang itu orang Melayu, Iaitu:

• Penakrifan undang-undang

• Penakrifan antropologi

Penakrifan undang-undang

Di Malaysia, orang Melayu didefinisikan menurut perlembagaan dalam pekara 160(2). Menurut perkara ini, orang Melayu ditakrifkan sebagai:

1. Seorang yang beragama Islam
2. Bertutur bahasa Melayu
3. Mengamalkan adat istiadat Melayu
4. Lahir sebelum hari merdeka sama ada di Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (Malaya) atau di Singapura atau pada hari merdeka, dia bermastautin di Persekutuan atau di Singapura.

Takrifan undang-undang ini adalah ditetapkan demi keperluan politik di negara Malaysia. Maka dengan itu, ia adalah tidak menepati hakikat di mana sebenarnya terdapat juga orang Melayu yang bermastautin di luar Persekutuan Malaysia. Contohnya di selatan Thailand terdapat juga kelompok manusia yang bertutur dalam Bahasa Melayu dan mengamalkan budaya orang Melayu. Penakfifan ini tidak sesuai untuk takrifan kaum Cina yang berbeza pertuturannya sebaliknya berkongsi tulisan dan adab resam yang sama dikalangan suku kaum-suku kaum yang berlainan.

Penakrifan antropologi

Menurut Syed Husin Ali yang merupakan ahli antropologi di negara Malaysia, orang Melayu itu dari segi zahirnya, lazimnya berkulit sawo matang, berbadan sederhana besar serta tegap dan selalu berlemah lembut serta berbudi bahasa. Dari segi etnologi, Melayu bermakna kelompok masyarakat yang mengamalkan sistem kemasyarakatan dwisisi dan kegenerasian yang termasuk dalam bangsa Mongoloid.
Asal usul bangsa MelayuAsal usul bangsa Melayu merupakan sesuatu yang sukar ditentukan. Walaupun terdapat beberapa kajian dilakukan untuk menjelaskan perkara ini, tetapi kata sepakat antara para sarjana belum dicapai. Secara amnya terdapat 2 teori mengenai asal-usul bangsa Melayu iaitu:

• Bangsa Melayu berasal dari Yunnan (Teori Yunnan)
• Bangsa Melayu berasal dari Nusantara (Teori Nusantara)

Selain itu ada juga pendapat yang mengusulkan bahawa orang Minangkabau itu berasal daripada pengikut Nabi Nuh, iaitu bangsa Ark yang mendarat di muara Sungai Jambi dan Palembang, semasa banjir besar berlaku di bumi. Tetapi pendapat ini masih belum mendapat bukti yang kukuh.
Teori ini disokong oleh beberapa sarjana seperti R.H Geldern, J.H.C Kern, J.R Foster, J.R Logen, Slametmuljana dan juga Asmah Haji Omar. Secara keseluruhannya, alasan-alasan yang menyokong teori ini adalah seperti berikut:

1. Kapak Tua yang mirip kepada Kapak Tua di Asia Tengah ditemui di Kepulauan Melayu. Perkara ini menunjukkan adanya migrasi penduduk dari Asia Tengah ke Kepulauan Melayu.
2. Adat resam bangsa Melayu mirip kepada suku Naga di daerah Assam (berhampiran dengan sempadan India dengan Myanmar).
3. Bahasa Melayu adalah serumpun dengan bahasa di Kemboja. Dengan lebih lanjut lagi, penduduk di Kemboja mungkin berasal dari dataran Yunnan dengan menyusuri Sungai Mekong. Perhubungan bangsa Melayu dengan bangsa Kemboja sekaligus menandakan pertaliannya dengan dataran Yunan.

Teori ini merupakan teori yang popular yakni diterima umum. Contohnya, dalam buku Teks Pengajian Malaysia,^[15] adapun menyatakan "nenek moyang" orang Melayu itu berasal dari Yunan.
Berdasarkan teori ini, dikatakan orang Melayu datang dari Yunan ke Kepulauan Melayu menerusi tiga gelombang yang utama, yang ditandai dengan perpindahan Orang Negrito, Melayu Proto, dan juga Melayu Deutro. Berikut adalah huraiannya.

Orang Negrito

Orang Negrito merupakan penduduk paling awal di Kepulauan Melayu. Mereka diperkirakan ada di sini sejak 1000 SM berdasarkan penerokaan arkeologi di Gua Cha, Kelantan. Daripada orang Negrito telah diperturunkan orang Semang yang mempunyai ciri-ciri fizikal berkulit gelap, berambut keriting, bermata bundar, berhidung lebar, berbibir penuh, serta saiz badan yang pendek.

Melayu Proto

Perpindahan orang Melayu Proto ke Kepulauan Melayu diperkirakan berlaku pada 2,500 SM. Mereka mempunyai peradaban yang lebih maju daripada orang Negrito, ditandai dengan kemahiran bercucuk tanam. Terdapat satu lagi persamaan antara Melayu Proto dimana dikenali sebagai Melayu Negosiddek dimana kebanyakan terdapat disebuah pulau yang dikenali sebagai Pinang. Melayu Negosiddek ini mahir dalam bidang lautan tetapi tidak pandai berenang.

Melayu Deutro

Perpindahan orang Melayu Deutro merupakan gelombang perpindahan orang Melayu kuno yang kedua yang berlaku pada 1,500 SM. Mereka merupakan manusia yang hidup di pantai dan mempunyai kemahiran berlayar.

Teori Nusantara

Teori ini didukung oleh sarjana-sarjana seperti J.Crawfurd, K.Himly, Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana dan juga Gorys Keraf. Teori ini adalah disokong dengan alasan-alasan seperti di bawah:

1. Bangsa Melayu dan bangsa Jawa mempunyai tamadun yang tinggi pada abad ke-19. Taraf ini hanya dapat dicapai setelah perkembangan budaya yang lama. Perkara ini menunjukkan orang Melayu tidak berasal dari mana-mana, tetapi berasal dan berkembang di Nusantara.
2. K.Himly tidak bersetuju dengan pendapat yang mengatakan bahawa Bahasa Melayu serumpun dengan Bahasa Champa. Baginya, persamaan yang berlaku di kedua-dua bahasa adalah satu fenomena "ambilan".
3. Manusia kuno Homo Soloinensis dan Homo Wajakensis terdapat di Pulau Jawa. Penemuan manusia kuno ini di Pulau Jawa menunjukkan adanya kemungkinan orang Melayu itu keturunan daripada manusia kuno tersebut yakni berasal daripada Jawa dan mewujudkan tamadun bersendirian.
4. Bahasa di Nusantara (Bahasa Austronesia) mempunyai perbezaan yang ketara dengan bahasa di Asia Tengah (Bahasa Indo-Eropah).

Malaysia Traditional Attire

From magnificent tribal head-feathers with bark body-covers to antique gold-woven royal songket fabric, the array of Malaysia's traditional costumes and textiles are stunningly diverse and colourful.

In the early days, the aboriginal tribes wore native bark costumes and beads. With the advent of the ancient kingdoms, hand-loomed fine textiles and intricate Malay batik were used by the Malay royalty. As foreign trade flourished, costumes and textiles such as Chinese silk, the Indian pulicat or plaid sarong and the Arabian jubbah a robe with wide sleeves were introduced to the country.

Today, traditional attire such as the Malay baju kebaya, Indian saree and Chinese cheongsam are still widely worn. 

 

Malay

Before the 20th century, Malay women still wore kemban, just sarongs tied above the chest, in public. As Islam became more widely embraced, they started wearing the more modest yet elegant baju kurung. The baju kurung is a knee-length loose-fitting blouse that is usually worn over a long skirt with pleats at the side. It can also be matched with traditional fabrics such as songket or batik. Typically, these traditional outfits are completed with a selendang or shawl or tudung or headscarf.

The traditional attire for Malay men is the baju melayu. The baju melayu is a loose tunic worn over trousers. It is usually complemented with a sampin - a short sarong wrapped around the hips. 

 

 

Chinese

Comfortable and elegant, the traditional cheongsam or 'long dress' is also a popular contemporary fashion choice for ladies. Usually, it has a high collar, buttons or frog closures near the shoulder, a snug fit at the waist and slits on either one or both sides. It is often made of shimmering silk, embroidered satin or other sensual fabrics.

Indian

The saree is the world-renowned traditional Indian garment. A length of cloth usually 5-6 yards in width, the saree is worn with a petticoat of similar shade and a matching or contrasting choli or blouse. Typically, it is wrapped around the body such that the pallau - its extensively embroidered or printed end - is draped over the left shoulder. The petticoat is worn just above or below the bellybutton and functions as a support garment to hold the saree. Made from a myriad of materials, textures and designs, the saree is truly exquisite.

Popular with northern Indian ladies is the salwar kameez or Punjabi suit; a long tunic worn over trousers with a matching shawl.

The kurta is the traditional attire for men on formal occasions. It is a long knee-length shirt that is typically made from cotton or linen cloth. 

Saree.

 

 

 

Baba Nyonya

Chinese immigrants who married Malay partners wore the elegant kebaya that can be described as traditional haute couture.

Hand-made with great skill using sheer material, its intricate embroidery is equivalent to the best Venetian lacework. The pièce de résistance is a delicate needlework technique called tebuk lubang - literally to punch holes. This involves sewing the outlines of a floral motif on the fabric and cutting away the insides. When done correctly, the end result is fine lace-like embroidery on the collar, lapels, cuffs, hem and the two triangular front panels, which drape over the hips, known as the lapik.

Portuguese-Eurasian

Descended from Portuguese settlers of the 16th century, Melakan Portuguese-Eurasian's traditional attire reflect their heritage. Dominated by the colours black and red, men wear jackets and trousers with waist sashes whilst ladies wear broad front-layered skirts.

Sarawak

With its diverse ethnic groups, Malaysia's largest state, Sarawak, has a plethora of unique tribal costumes. Using a variety of designs and native motifs, common materials for the Orang Ulu or upriver tribes are hand-loomed cloths, tree bark fabrics, feathers and beads. Sarawak is known for the woven pua kumbu of the Iban tribe, songket of the Sarawak Malay, colourful beaded accessories, traditional jewellery and head adornments.

Sabah

Like Sarawak, Sabah is also blessed with a rich mix of ethnic groups. Each group adorns attire, headgears and personal ornaments with distinctive forms, motifs and colour schemes characteristic of their respective tribe and district. However, culturally different groups who live in close proximity may have similarities in their traditional attire. Notable hats and headdresses include the Kadazan Dusun ladies' straw hats, the Bajau woven dastar and the headdress of the Lotud man, which indicate the number of wives he has by the number of fold points.

Orang Asli

Traditionally living in the deep jungles of Malaysia, the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia wore clothing made from natural materials such as tree barks like the terap, and grass skirts. Ornaments include skillfully woven headbands with intricate patterns that are made from leaf fronds. 

 

Art and Culture of Malaysia

Malaysia is a beautiful country, famous for its exotic locales and exquisite cuisine. This country is known for its rich cultural heritage, which is the main reason for tourists to flock to this country. Malaysian art and handicrafts are being handed down from generation to generation as an heirloom. 

The key elements of Malaysian art can be categorized as, kite making, batik, pewter making, wood carving, and, weaving. These art forms accounts for the primary occupation of Malaysian natives. Here is a brief introduction about each art form.

The Glorious Art Forms Of Malaysia:

1. Kite Making: this is one of the largest industries of Malaysia. Kites are better known as, “Waus” in Malaysian language. The art of kite making is decades old and it is the basic business of the local people. This art form comes from the Melakan Court and it has been developed into a full fledged industry.

Kite-making in progress.

2. Batik: this art form basically originated in India, and it was brought down to Malaysia by the Hindu traders. Batik is an art where a piece of white cloth is used to make beautiful sketches on it and later the sketched area is waxed, finally the cloth is died into beautiful colors. This art form has been inherited and followed by the Malaysian culture in a large way.

An example of Malaysia Batik.

3. Pewter Making: Malaysia is the leading producer and exporter of tin in the whole world. Simultaneously it is also famous for the beautifully carved pewter which is intricately designed. The Royal Selangor Factory being one of the major producers of pewter. It is known for the finest quality pewter through out the world. 

The making of pewter.

4. Wood Carving: this art form accounts for the primary occupation of the people of Malaysia. The intricate art of wood carving is an art in which the tribes and Malays are excellent. These carvings can be seen almost everywhere in Malaysia, right from the boats, temples, roof tops to the masks and burial poles.

Wood carving.

5. Weaving: the Malaysian craftsman use various qualities of threads and vines to weave beautiful clothes and furniture. Sago palm which is an ideal weaving material is found in large quantities in Malaysia.

Weaving.