Malaysia is a manifold mix of Malay culture and traditions. As well as numerous indigenous tribes, the opening up of trade routes with China and India made its mark along with the impact of British, Arabic, and Persian visitors who decided to settle in Kuala Lumpur and beyond.
Traditional Malay Music
Traditional Malay music relies heavily on percussion. There are more than a dozen types of drums of all shapes and sizes as well as other percussion instruments produced from natural materials. Accompanying the percussion section, visitors to the country are likely to hear the bowed strings of the rebab, the flute-like seruling, the oboe-like serunai, as well as a chorus of trumpets. A pair of symbols and a knobbed gong are sometimes added to the orchestra. For centuries, music in Malaysia has been used to celebrate important annual events and tell stories, as well as being an important way of communicating with others over long distances.
Traditional Malay Dancing
Dancing styles are similarly diverse and often a fusion of influences from different cultures.
Zapin Dancing Styles
Introduced by Islamic traders and missionaries way back in the 14th century, this music and dance form was originally used to spread the word of God and was once the preserve of male musicians and dancers but now includes Malay women. Since then, Zapin has been incorporated into the Malay culture and features Malay instruments including the accordion, violin, and hand drum.
Popular in the southern parts of the Malay archipelago. Zapin Pulau is a form of dance adopted by fishing communities and incorporates dance movements influenced by the movement of the sea, and Zapin Lenga, adopted by the farmers tells stories of life on the land. Other dance and music styles include the courtly Inang, with its fast, graceful movements; Asli, which is slow-paced and elegant, and Joget, which is fast-paced and catchy and particularly popular at weddings.
Traditional Malay Architecture
As with music and dancing, Malay architecture is an eclectic mix of influences from numerous ethnic groups. China and Islam provided the blueprints for early Malay building styles, and later the Europeans arrived, bringing with them modern materials such as iron nails and glass. Due to the tropical climate, Malay houses tend to be built on stilts to avoid flooding and provide ventilation.
Large windows also help to keep houses cool during the hot season. Wood felled from the rainforests has always been the traditional material for Malay homes and palaces. Buildings in the western Malay state of Negeri Sembilan are held together without the use of a single nail! Villages built over the water are constructed on stilts and linked together by planks used as walkways.
Traditional Malay Cuisine
Because the Malay peninsula was positioned on the spice route, traditional Malay cuisine takes its influence from surrounding countries including Sumatra, Java, Thailand, India, and China. Visitors should make sure they try Nasi Lemak, the country’s national dish. Nasi is Malay for rice and Lemak simply translates as tasty. Rice boiled with coconut milk and a variety of spices is served with roasted peanuts, fried dried anchovies, and Sambal (shrimp paste and chilli sauce). Side dishes include fried chicken, calamari, tofu, and egg.
Traditional Malay Clothing
The styles of Malay clothing are as varied as the hundreds of indigenous groups spread throughout the country and have been strongly influenced by Chinese Malaysians and Indian Malaysians and their fashions. Malay men tended to choose the baju melayu, a loose tunic and trousers. The outfit was usually topped off with a jaunty hat called a songkok or kopiah. Malay women opted for the kemban, a sarong tied off above their chests. The baju kurung is more often worn today which is a knee-length blouse twinned with a long pleated skirt. A head scarf is often worn to complete the outfit.
Traditional Malay Literature
Malay literature has its routes in a strong oral tradition. Epic Indian stories were popular and when Islam arrived the stories were adapted to have more universal themes. The arrival of the printing press meant the stories in manuscripts that were only available to royalty and the very rich became more accessible to ordinary Malays in the Malay language. Important texts include the Sejarah Melayu or “The Malay Annals”, which tells of the rise and fall of the Malay maritime empire. Hikayat Sang Kancil is a popular folktale that tells the story of a clever mouse deer.
Traditional Malay Sports
Although Malaysia has adopted sports from abroad including football, badminton, and squash, traditional Malay sports remain popular. These include Sepak takraw, where a rattan ball is kicked high into the air between players without touching the ground. Wau is traditional kite flying where intricately designed kites are flown high into the air. Bamboo attachments cause the kites to hum in the breeze. Dragon boat racing is also a popular pastime and visitors to Malaysia should try to add the spectacle to their itineraries.
Traditional Malay Etiquette
Malay society takes etiquette seriously and we should look at some of the rules of Malaysian culture. Children are expected to treat their parents with strict obedience and respect. The influence of Islam means that most of the Malay population will dress conservatively. If a guest is invited to a Malay home they should expect to be greeted with Assalamualaikum, another example of the influence of Islam on the country. The phrase means “peace be upon you.” Malays will always eat using their right hand, even when cutlery is involved and visitors should be prepared to do likewise.
Prepare To Be Immersed In Malay Culture And Traditions With Ling App
As well as knowing something about a country’s culture before visiting it is important to be able to communicate with your new hosts. An easy way to get a few choice words and phrases under your belt is with Ling app. Ling is one of the most popular language-learning apps available and aims to make a new tongue like Malaysian easy and fun to learn. Why not give it a try by downloading Ling app from Google Play or App Store to your mobile today?
