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Reading Material:
Ady, S. & Dharsono, D. (2018).

PAMOR KAWALI DALAM MASYARAKAT BUGIS.

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Reading Material:
Peranakan, (2006). New Year Traditions.

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Reading Material:
Amat & Samad, (2019). (Bridal Dais of the Iranun Community in the District of Kota Belud, Sabah).

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Reading Material:
Hui et al. (2017).  Analysing the two Sea Worship Ceremonies in Sarawak: The Semah and Kaul.

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Due to their cultural assimilations, the Peranakans have developed a diverse and unique fusions of traits for their celebrations. This is also affected by their religions including Buddha, Taoism and Christianity.
Lets have a look on their special take on some of their iconic celebrations.

Lunar New Year

- During their early days in Malaysia, the Peranakans followed China's annual new year celebration based on their calendar. However, it was given some personal Peranakan-style touch, such as the custom of spring cleaning their house with instruments including bamboo leaves to chase away evil spirits. Other than that, the practice of Wooi Lore, meaning 'surrounding the family's hearth', or to put simply, a dinner with all of their relatives that must be accompanied by vibrant and bright lights in their home.

Weddings

- Peranakans weddings are usually very vibrant and aesthetically pleasing due to the incorporation of the Chinese's use of bright colours and Malay's classic decorations that are infused with unique designs and patterns. Some of them even stretched the celebrations up to 12 long days. The wedding feasts are also very arduous to prepare, and are also known to be very expensive. Finally, they also have the tradition of singing their infamous Dondang Sayang to entertain the event.

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People of Peranakan first arrived in Peninsular Malaysia during the 15th century as Chinese immigrants. They worked as traders and had amazing loyalty for the British, opting to even be their middlemen in many interactions with the Malay locals and overseas traders from mainland China. Hence, they quickly became an elite ethnic for their ability to speak many languages as well as possessing great wealth and reputation (Joshua Project, n.d). Today, they are mostly found in Malacca, with some still retaining their cultural identity despite cultural assimilations and modernization that took place.

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Photo by:
Peranakan Life. [Peranakan Picture Gallery].

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The Badik dagger, also known as Kawali is a short blade purposed for short-range combat. It is the pride of the Buginese, especially for certain clans such as Bugis Jambi as they see it as more than a weapon, but rather a symbol with complex meaning that carries their identity throughout the years. (Ady & Dharsono, 2018). For the latter reason, the Bugis today deem it as their utmost interest to preserve the dagger in order to continue its legacy and history.

Some qualities of the Badik as mentioned by the Bugis include:

The Symbol of Being an Adult

- It is believed that the Badik is a must-have item for a male adult, highly placing it as important as other prized belongings such as a wife, a house, land, as well as horses. This also further portrays how responsibilities as well as leadership capabilities are an integral part of the Bugis tradition.

The Symbol of Spirituality

- In the older days, the Badik itself was believed to store magical prowess as well as good fortune. For example, it was believed to be able to cure people who was struck by black magic by drinking water that has been dipped by a Badik.

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Originally hailing from Indonesia, the Bugis are well-respected and feared mercenaries, warriors, as well as traders. It is believed around the 16th century, they settled in various parts of Malaysia including Selangor, Johor and Sabah (Joshua Project, n.d). To go along their with their aggresive and fearless character, they were known to hail highly of their personal, legendary weapon called Badik.

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Photo by:
Google Images. [Bugis Badik].

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The iranuns have such a rich culture and tradition due to their history of originating from a royal bloodline (Amat & Samad, 2019). Hence, their matrimonial events would display vibrant and appealing decorations.

Some special features include:

The Use of Sempangan

- Sempangan is a like small banners made from cotton and can be prepared with custom colours, designs and sizes. The purpose is to add more aesthetical value during any ceremony, as well as to be a symbol of their bloodline's respect towards the nature. The most common Sempangan would usually be of a floral design that would be vibrantly placed on their walls and bridal dais.

The use of Dempas

- Dempas would be a traditional mat that is purposed to be the main background of bridal dais. Variations include being embroided with different-coloured yarn. Gold-coloured Dempas are to indicate that their family members are from the prestigious Syarif clan, while green is for the Datu' clan. In addition, Dempas is also known to be a traditional wedding gift for the bride.

The use of Sumbul

- The people of Iranun are known to collect and appreciate copper-based decorations. In the context of weddings, Sumbul are copper potteries used not only to decorate bridal dais, but to also portray the social status of their families. It is also a traditional medium of remittance for weddings, as well as being used for wedding attendees to put their monetary gifts for the bride and groom.

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Believed by researchers to originate from the Phillipines during the Spanish reign, the people of Iranun, or also known as Illanun and Meranao, now resides in the likes of Kota Belud and Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia (Amat & Samad, 2019). They are known for several unique traditions such as crafts and dances, however one that would charm the eyes of the sophisticates today would be their ever-beautiful, unique bridal dais.

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Photo by:
Facebook. [Saya Suku Kaum Iranun].

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Pesta Kaul is a traditional celebration where the people of Melanau, especially ones who are practicing animism would worship Ipok-Ipok, the gods of nature. This is to receive blessing and wealth through nature so that they may prosper in their daily lives (Hui et al., 2017).

There are several special traits about this celebration, such as:

The Instruments Used

- Offerings in forms of food such as 'Nasi Pulut Kuning', 'Garam Likau' and 'Sirih Pinang' are put on Serahang, to present them to Ipok Laut.

Unique Mystical Spell

- The leader of the tribe called Bapak Kaul would cast a spell during the offering of Serahang to  ask for protection from Ipok-Ipok.

Traditional Game of Tibow

- Tibow is a big swing made of woods around 30 feet in length. Physically, it is bound strongly to the ground using canes. Melanaus would play the swing and perform dances and songs for Ipok-Ipok to have a blessed celebration (Hui et al.,2017).

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Melanau or a liko (native name given by themselves) is one of the original ethnic in Sarawak, Malaysia. They are located in areas such as Bintulu and Mukah to name a few. As of today, there are many of them who have converted from animism to Islam and Christianity (Puji et al., 2014). Even though their beliefs might have changed for some of them throughout the ages, the original, near-mystical tradition of celebrating the supernatural-like animism beliefs managed to age well as it is still being celebrated today.

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Spiritual, Magical Celebration of Pesta Kaul

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Spiritual, Magical Celebration of Pesta Kaul

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Photo by:
Sarawak Tourism. [Pesta Kaul Mukah].

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Video by:
ML Studios, [Adat Perpatih Negeri Sembilan].

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What is Adat Perpatih? It is a way of life that revolves around the concept of togetherness, guidance for several aspects such as economy and politics, as well as the focus on matrilineal heritage (Jamil, 2012).

Some examples for several characteristics of this unique tradition include:

Will of Wealth & Heritage

- The emphasis on matrilineal heritage is due to their utmost respect towards women. Usually, the daughter will inherit the family's land, allowing her to be independent and could sustain her own family in the future (Jamil,2012).

Matrimony

- The people of Minangkabau are not allowed to marry ones from their own 'Suku', or in other words distant relatives that would be under the same family tree. This is due to their close bond that they share with each other, as well as their strict following of the matrimonial rules of Islam. This practice is taken seriously as for some that have breached it, were known to be stripped of their inheritance (Latif, 2018).

Social Structure

- There are 3 main sub-groups for the people of Minangkabau throughout Negeri Sembilan, which are Perut, Suku and Luak. (Portal Rasmi Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan, 2021). In that respective order, the size of the community as well as the amount responsibilities would increase. This tradition is well-maintained throughout the years and portrays the fine leadership of their leaders as well as their ability to be a strong, united community.

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The Minangkabau people originally came from West Sumatera, Indonesia during the 14th century and settled in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia (Lembaga Muzium Negeri Sembilan, 2021). Now known as Orang Minang or Orang Negeri (JoshuaProject, n.d), they have long upheld their infamous saying of 'Biar mati anak, jangan mati adat'. It is crystal clear here that they are very proud of their unique and rich cultural tradition and way of life. Let's look further into one such tradition, the evergreen Adat Perpatih.

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Photo by:
Joshua Project. [Orang Negeri Minangkabau in Malaysia].

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Custom / Tradition of:

1. Minangkabau

2. Melanau

3. Iranun

4. Peranakan

5. Bugis

Reflection on Cultural Mindfulness

References

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In this e-portfolio, we will take a look into each chosen custom or tradition for 5 diverse and unique Malaysian ethnicities.