Malay culture
Introduction
The importance of Malay customs is clearly reflected in the proverb which says
“Biar mati anak, jangan mati adat”
Traditional clothes
Malay clothing nowadays comes from the growth and development of the ancients due to the gradually clothing changes. This process is not only occurs due to early civilization in the own community, but more importantly as a result of the influence of Indian traders, Chinese, Arab and European. Eastern and western elements is treated and combined into a variety of cultures as well as beautiful and unique look.
Baju Melayu
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| Baju Melayu is traditional Malayoutfit for man. |
Traditional Malay attire for man is baju Melayu, a loose tunic worn together with trousers. The long sleeved shirt of baju Melayu has a raised stiff collar known as the cekak musang collar. The trouser is made from the same colour and fabric. It is often coupled with a “kain samping”which is a sarong wrapped around a man’s hips. “Kain samping is made out of songket. It is also worn with a songkok on the head to complete the attire. Baju Melayu is often worn at formal events, such as festivals and weddings. In Malaysia, baju Melayu is worn during performing Friday solah at mosque and when celebrating Eid festival. Some companies allow their male workers to wear baju Melayu on Fridays.
Baju Kurung
Baju kurung is Malay traditional outfit for women. Baju kurung is a knee-length blouse worn over a long skirt. A scarf or shawl is worn with baju kurung. The skirt is made up from a long fabric with folding on one side to facilitate the movements while the blouse is collarless, has long sleeves and extends to between hip and knees. A woman will wear baju kurung together with headscarf or shawl. Baju kurung is often worn during festival – Eid and weddings. It becomes formal clothes since it has been worn to office and formal occasions. Baju kurung is usually made of silk and soft fabric. It has been wearing among school students since it was announced as formal clothes. The baju kurung is also worn by non-Muslims in Malaysia like Chinese and Indian.
Baju kebaya
Baju kebaya is worn by Malay women. Kebaya is worn a quite long time ago in Malacca not only by Malay women but also by women of Peranakan (Baba) with some differences in cutting and styles to wear. The length of original kebaya is designed to knee level or above. It is designed with long and wide sleeves. The body part is designed fit and widened down from the hip. The front part is split and collar up to the foot of the blouse. The split portion in front of the blouse is studded with three separate brooches or a chain with delicate chain. Baju kebaya is embroidered with beautiful and appealing pattern. Kebaya is suitable for everyday clothing and bridal wear. For everyday outfits, kebaya is suitable made up of silk and velvet or cotton fabric and is matched with sarong. Sarong is usually from kain batik. For the bride, the kebaya blouse is made up of songket fabric. Women wear kebaya look more gorgeous and sophisticated.
Food
Nasi lemak
Nasi
lemak is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk (santan) together with pandan leaf widely eaten by Malaysian
where it is considered as national dish. Nasi lemak is a common breakfast dish
sold early in the morning at stall and canteen. However, because of the nasi
lemak’s versatility, it is served and eaten any time of the day. Traditionall,
nasi lemak is wrapped in newspaper, banana leaves and brown paper with cucumber
slices, salty fish (ikan masin) fried anchovies, boiled egg, fried peanuts and
hot spicy sauce known as sambal as it
core. It is come with a variety of other additional meal such as fried chicken,
sambal sotong and pickled vegetables (acar). Nowadays, nasi lemak is available
at any time as there are many restaurants served it making it possible for dish
to be eaten all day.
Satay (sate)
Satay
is a food that pierced with stick. Particularly, satay is made from pieces of
meat on a stick pierced coconut or bamboo and burnt using charcoal fire. Satay
is invented by Javanese traders sold grilled meat on along the roadside in the
19th century. Besides beef and chicken satay, there are several
other kinds of satay solg including:
1)
Rabbit
meat satay
2)
Fish
satay
3)
Lamb
satay
Ketupat
Ketupat
is a dish of rice or glutinous rice (beras pulut) wrapped in coconut leaves and
palas leaves and boiled in a pot
which is popular in Malaysia and other Asean country. Typicall, the ketupat
palas sleeve is woven before stuffed with pulut (sticky rice) has been cooked. The
types of ketupat depend on the ingredients and leaves used for to make the
packaging. Ketupat pulut is the ketupat makes using glutinous rice (beras
pulut) as basic material, while ketupat nasi made up of rice. It is usually
package with coconut leaves. Ketupat is the must have dishes served during Hari
Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha. It is served with serunding or peanut
sauce (kuah kacang)
Laksa
Laksa
is a type of noodle made up from rice flour and spicy soup. This dish is so
unique because there are mixed elements of Chinese and Malay ingredients. There
are two popular types of laksa; curry laksa (laksa kuah kari) or sour laksa (asam
laksa). Asam laksa also is known as laksa Penang. It is made up from mackerel
(ikan kembung) soup and its main distinguishing feature is the asam (tamarind)
which gives the soup sour taste. The fish is boiled and its flesh is peels and
then blended. Other ingredients that makes laksa has distinctive flavor include
lemongrass, daun kesum galangal
(lengkuas) and chilli. Served hot, laksa is must have dish for who came to
Kedah, Penang and Perlis. In these states, laksa asam is popular. Whatever
types of laksa, the basic ingredients of its soup is fish. Its tasty is
appealing makes it is served not only in the stall along the roadside but at
the five-star hotel.
Festivals
Hari Raya
Aidilfitri
Hari Raya Aidilfitri or known
as Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated by Muslims on the first day of Syawal
(according to Hijri calendar). It is a joyous occasions for all Muslims. It signifies
the successful observance of one month fasting in Ramadhan month. Muslims start
to fast in the first day of Ramadhan. The celebration is determined by sighting
of the new moon (anak bulan) during
29th Ramadhan. When the new moon can be seen during dusk time at
that date, the following day will be Hari Raya Aidilfitri. At the morning of
Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Muslims go to mosque to perform Aidilfitri’s prayer.
After prayer at the mosque, the next agenda followed by visits the graves of
family members who have passed away to pay respect. Open house or visits each
other among relatives, friends and neighbors during Hari Raya Aidilfitri is
practiced. A lot of Malay cuisines are served during this festival. This
festival last a month. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the occasion to greetings each
other. The young will ask for forgiveness from the elders. Everyone will put on
new clothes on that day.
Hari Raya Aidiladha (Eid-Ul-Adha)
Hari Raya Aidiladha is also
known as Hari Raya Korban. This festival is celebrated remark the pilgrimage to
the Holy city of Mecca. It is the largest festival after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Aidiladha is celebrated on the 10th, 11th and 12th
Zulhijjah. The ‘Arafah’s day, the day of sacrifice and the days of Tasyriq are
festival for Muslims. The days of sacrifice last the following four days; 10th,
11th, 12th and 13th. This festival is to commemorate the
willingness of Nabi Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Nabi Ismail in obedience
Allah’s command. An animal (cow, lamb, goat, sheep or camel) is sacrificed
whose meat is distributed among the relatives and poor.
Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah)
The New Year for Muslim is Awal
Muharram. The Hijri New Year remarks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar
year. The first month in Hijri calendar is Muharram. On 1st
Muharram, Muslims celebrated New Year. This festival is to commemorate the
migration of Prophet Muhammad and Muslim from Mecca to Madinah. That historical
event took place on 1st Muharram, New Year for Islamic calendar. However,
the migration of Prophet Muhammad and Muslim from Mecca to Madinah was taken as
first counting for Hijri calendar. Awal Muharram is public holiday in Malaysia.
Akad nikah is the most important event in Malay wedding who are basically a Muslim. It is not just a custom but more to religious teachings and sign of the culmination of the validity of a marriage. The ceremony was conducted after all the agreements that apply to the man have been implemented such as spending expenses (wang belanja), dowry and other items as agreed by both parties. Akad nikah can be done in a mosque, in the kadi’s office or even at bride’s house and carried out by the tok kadi or imam. In the akad nikah ceremony, the bride's father needs be wali to marry her. However, he could represent it to the tok kadi or imam. Usually, akad nikah ceremony will be conducted a day before the wedding ceremony was held. Tok kadi will read the marriage khutbah in general and explain the responsibility of husband and wife and other domestic matters of religion. After that, tok kadi or imam will read the pronouncement of marriage (lafaz akad nikah) while shaking hands with the groom and he is required to repeat as soon as the tok kadi shake hands. Pronouncement of marriage reads "Aku nikahkan dikau …(bride’s name) dengan mas kawin sebanyak … (by state) tunai." and was greeted by the groom with words saying "Saya terima nikahnya ... (similar to that expressed by the tok kadi). Witnesses will confirm whether the pronouncement is clearly heard or not, if not clear, the groom will be repeated until the witness is satisfied. Doa selamat will be read immediately thereafter as both bride was safely solemnize. Upon marriage, the groom will perform ceremonial ablutions cancel. Husband will sheathe or put on the chain ring to his wife waiting in a room decorated as the two shook hands. Akad nikah is done as a symbol that the couple was legally married. The wedded couple become valid wife and husband.
Marriage
Malay community holds tightly
to the traditions because it is believed to have an impact in life. For the
Malay community, marriage customs is emphasized. Every level before wedding
ceremony is held with joyous. In Malay wedding customs, there are several
important stages before wedding ceremony.
Merisik
This custom is also called a
survey or seeing (meninjau atau menengok).
The purpose of this custom is to ensure that the girls who love the man have
not been taken. This is important part because in Islam one is forbidden to
propose someone’s fiancée. In addition, this custom is to investigate the
background of the girl related to household skills, good manners, behavior,
appearance and level of religious knowledge. Typically this will be carried out
by the man’s relatives like uncle or aunty.
For the girl, there are several
criteria that must be considered before accepting the proposal of the man which
is; the man must have a religious background and have a good job.
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Sometimes when merisik, the guy’s representatives will
be asked to give a ring and if the girl agrees they will set a date for a
proposal. However, nowadays, merisik
customs is rarely done anymore because the couple had first met, thus they will
continue to carry on tradition of engagement in order to save cost and time.
Meminang (Engagement)
After discussion, the
engagement ceremony will be held. The man will be represented by his family and
relatives for engagement ceremonies. During that day, the feast will be held in
conjunction with the engagement at the girl's house. The hantaran consists of tepak
sirih or sirih junjung as main
packet, a ring with other hantaran
like potpourri, fruits, cakes, clothes and others which have been composed will
be given to the woman.
The total of hantaran given by the bride will exceed
the amount of the groom’s hantaran. During
the engagement ceremony, the custom of sending out the expenses is also will be
held. Yet, several people send out the expenses a few weeks before the wedding
ceremony will be held.
The climax event is casing the engagement
ring where the guy’s representatives consisting of his mother or sister will
sheathe the engagement ring or sign’s ring to the girl that had been proposed. Officially,
the engagement is announced.
Akad nikah (Solemnization)
Akad nikah is the most important event in Malay wedding who are basically a Muslim. It is not just a custom but more to religious teachings and sign of the culmination of the validity of a marriage. The ceremony was conducted after all the agreements that apply to the man have been implemented such as spending expenses (wang belanja), dowry and other items as agreed by both parties. Akad nikah can be done in a mosque, in the kadi’s office or even at bride’s house and carried out by the tok kadi or imam. In the akad nikah ceremony, the bride's father needs be wali to marry her. However, he could represent it to the tok kadi or imam. Usually, akad nikah ceremony will be conducted a day before the wedding ceremony was held. Tok kadi will read the marriage khutbah in general and explain the responsibility of husband and wife and other domestic matters of religion. After that, tok kadi or imam will read the pronouncement of marriage (lafaz akad nikah) while shaking hands with the groom and he is required to repeat as soon as the tok kadi shake hands. Pronouncement of marriage reads "Aku nikahkan dikau …(bride’s name) dengan mas kawin sebanyak … (by state) tunai." and was greeted by the groom with words saying "Saya terima nikahnya ... (similar to that expressed by the tok kadi). Witnesses will confirm whether the pronouncement is clearly heard or not, if not clear, the groom will be repeated until the witness is satisfied. Doa selamat will be read immediately thereafter as both bride was safely solemnize. Upon marriage, the groom will perform ceremonial ablutions cancel. Husband will sheathe or put on the chain ring to his wife waiting in a room decorated as the two shook hands. Akad nikah is done as a symbol that the couple was legally married. The wedded couple become valid wife and husband.
Adat berinai
(Dyeing ceremony)
Dyeing ceremony is usually held
in stages.
·
Berinai
curi - held three nights before the
wedding day for relatives only.
·
Berinai
kecil - held two nights before the wedding
day for relatives, neighbors and friends.
·
Berinai
besar - held a night before or after
akad nikah for special guests of the
groom and the bride.
After berinai besar was held,
the groom will not stayed at the bride’s home, but will directly return to guesthouse or even if a group is coming from far away, the groom will spend the night
at rumah penanggak, a house near the bride’s home.
Wedding ceremony
Malay wedding is
fascinating and held in age-old tradition.
A Malay wedding begins with the akad nikah ceremony. The groom signs the marriage contract and agrees to provide the bride with a mas kahwin (by state). After that, their hands are dyed with henna during the berinai besar ceremony. The bride's hair is also trimmed or her eyebrows shaped by a beautician known as the mak andam.
The next day, the groom is accompanied by his friends, relatives, and bunga manggar (palm blossom) carriers to the bride's house where they are usually greeted with the sprinkling of yellow rice (nasi minyak) and scented water.
A Malay wedding begins with the akad nikah ceremony. The groom signs the marriage contract and agrees to provide the bride with a mas kahwin (by state). After that, their hands are dyed with henna during the berinai besar ceremony. The bride's hair is also trimmed or her eyebrows shaped by a beautician known as the mak andam.
The next day, the groom is accompanied by his friends, relatives, and bunga manggar (palm blossom) carriers to the bride's house where they are usually greeted with the sprinkling of yellow rice (nasi minyak) and scented water.
Sometimes,
the pencak silat or the traditional
Malay sword dance is performed. To add bliss to the joyful affair, the groom
and his party are required to overcome humorous obstacle before being allowed
to go in bride’s house.
Each
guest will receive a bunga telur,
which means 'flower' and 'egg' - a symbol of a fertile union. After the bersanding ceremony, the wedded couple
and their guests will attend a celebratory feast called the makan beradab. This involves the bride
and groom feeding each other sweetened rice.
Activities which precede the actual wedding ceremony, consist of
·
First is merisik
("SPYING or INVESTIGATION")
·
Followed by pertunangan
("BETROTHAL" OR "ENGAGEMENT") the engagement or
approach to formalise the arrangement (meminang)
·
THE akad nikah ("MARRIAGE CONTRACT or SOLEMNIZATION") – the bride
and groom become valid wife and husband.
·
The hantaran or the sending of gifts and part of the amount of
money for expenses (wang belanja) which the boy’s family gives to the girl’s
side that will be incurred by the girl’s family.
·
Finally persandingan
("WEDDING CEREMONY") – the climax ceremony to celebrate the wedded
couples.
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