Melanau by Teh N https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js Art of Melanau in Malaysia en-us 2017-09-25 01:16:14 UTC 2025-09-28 21:39:36 UTC hello@padlet.com Alu-alu dance (Tarian Alu-alu) black_t1229 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190645477 1. One of the earliest Melanau’s traditional dance. 
2. It describes the solemn mood in funeral. 
3. It is usually performed in the evening by relatives and friends.
4. This dance is performed from the first until the fourth evening of death. 
5. It displays skills of the male dancers as they have to balance themselves on bamboos stick.
6. It is based on dreams, daily task, medicinal rituals and folk games played during Kaul or Sea Spirit- Worship Feast. 
7. The dance are influenced by acitivites in the Melanau people’s daily lives.]]> 2017-09-25 01:16:14 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190645477 The art of craft black_t1229 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190645478 2017-09-25 01:16:14 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190645478 Gendang black_t1229 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190645479 This traditional drum are normally been played during spiritual ceremony for Melanau's ethnic. ]]> 2017-09-25 01:16:14 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190645479 Arts in Melanau black_t1229 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190646889 1. Tattooing was never widely practiced. 
2. Live in longhouses decorated with elaborate wood carving.
3. Bilum carved in sago pith were widely used and are a sophisticated form of sculpture. 
4. Ceremonies were accompanied by gong orchestras with distinctive chants and music; bards recited and sang epics, legends, and myths of considerable poetic merit at ceremonies or simply for entertainment]]> 2017-09-25 01:26:41 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190646889 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190648528 Umai
also know as shashimi as it is made by raw fish. The fish must fresh and half alive , it will mix it up with the one cup of slice onion, lime juice, chillies and crush of grounds peanut.


]]> 2017-09-25 01:38:11 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190648528 Traditional Handcraft fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190648588 Terendak 
Traditional Melanau - headgear, usually worn by women folks. The conical-shaped sunhat is made from sago palm strips and leaves, reinforced with rattan strips.
]]> 2017-09-25 01:38:24 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190648588 Statues fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190649147 Melanau dukun has an elaborate system of ceremonies for curing all kinds of illnesses. 

The more serious the illness, the more complicated the ceremonies. 

If all effort fails, he will perform a berayun ceremony, which can last five to nine nights. In such ceremonies, spirit statues are present.
 ]]> 2017-09-25 01:42:52 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190649147 Linut fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190650257 Famous as the staple food for the Melanau's. The sago flour is mixed it up with hot water. And it will form a clump of glue and continuously mix it up with hot water and the final results; it will appear sticky and solid as glue. Linut is best eaten with the chilli prawn paste while it is still hot.]]> 2017-09-25 01:52:20 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190650257 Sago fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190650469 Sago is the a little tiny sago which being made manually by hand. 

They are best being eaten with the dry fish, curry, and Umai. 

The taste of sago is salty and creamy. It can replace rice as it have high carbohydrate levels and good for diabetics.]]> 2017-09-25 01:53:59 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190650469 The Melanau's Food fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190650681 2017-09-25 01:56:04 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190650681 Sago Worm fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190651073 The Sago worm or Sago grub (si’et), is the larva of the Sago Palm Weevil or Red Palm Weevil ]]> 2017-09-25 01:58:42 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190651073 Music Instrument fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190652040 2017-09-25 02:06:20 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190652040 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwC23OeoZVY fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190652370 2017-09-25 02:09:41 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190652370 The Melanau's Dance fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190653011 2017-09-25 02:15:30 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/190653011 black_t1229 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/192830036
New belief system
- Muslim 
- Christian 
- Modern animists

(They respect one another's beliefs and even celebrate one another's feasts and festivities.)
]]> 2017-10-02 01:12:49 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/192830036 Attire black_t1229 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/192830090 Melanau Men :
- A jacket cut tunic with brocade samping.
- Canary chiffon shawl as waistband.
- A Javanese styled headgear.

Melanau Women :
- Black satin blouses
- Songket sarong
- Red embroidered chest decoration with string pendant.]]> 2017-10-02 01:13:21 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/192830090 fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/192834869 Old belief system
1. Animists
- Belief in shaman, it can be either a man or woman who is thought to be "a master of spirits." 
- They will seek help from a shaman if they are sick or bothered by spirits. 
- Kaul festival is a ceremony to appease the spirits of the sea, land, forest, and farm.]]> 2017-10-02 01:59:46 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/192834869 Belief System fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/192834953 2017-10-02 02:00:28 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/192834953 fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195004526 2017-10-08 14:58:13 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195004526 fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195004871 2017-10-08 15:01:15 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195004871 Local Norm fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195005112 2017-10-08 15:03:27 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195005112 During pregnancy: fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195005179 ~ Women are not allowed to eat fruit with strong smell (e.g. durian) and animal that was hunted.

~ Husband are not allowed to eat stingray and can’t look at dead bodies

]]> 2017-10-08 15:03:59 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195005179 During wedding ceremony: fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195005310 ~ No bathing at the river
~ No sleeping during the day ]]> 2017-10-08 15:05:13 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195005310 Construction of their houses fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195005441 Before raising the main pillar of the house, the gold must be put on the top end of the pillar 
Believed to strengthen the pillar and the house of the Melanau]]> 2017-10-08 15:06:25 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195005441 Structure to be even in measurement fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195005707  Measurement must be odd (e.g 37 feet and not 36 or 38 in length or breadth) 

Number of pillars, post, eaves and the like follow the same principles

Calculations for the structure must also follow either of the three basic principles, i.e. puteri malambai, buaya terjun and dian (durian) sepucuk

The same applies to the steps into the house or inside the house.

 As such, a trader or merchant will ensure that his house is constructed on the puteri melambai design as it will always bring good fortune.

]]> 2017-10-08 15:08:48 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195005707 fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195006321 2017-10-08 15:13:20 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195006321 Bulan Pemalei (Month of taboo) fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195008166 (January)
In ancient times, a great shaman was killed by his wife and his head was chopped off. However, the head disappeared from the house and it became the Taboo Star. 

This month is named the month of the killing of the great shaman of ancient times. 

This marks the eleventh month. 

Marriage is not allowed and so are the activities of livelihood, such as fishing, planting, house construction and everything else. 
This month is regarded as a month of ill fortune by the Melanau. 

]]> 2017-10-08 15:30:25 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195008166 Monthly Taboo fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195008518 2017-10-08 15:33:46 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195008518 Bulan Suwah (Months of the Waves fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195008902 (October)
During this month, the ground will seem to grow and rise like waves. 

According to Melanau belief, this is caused by the fish swimming back to the ocean and their fins appear to be like waves swimming out.

This marks the eighth month. 

The third and final fishing season for the year for the Melanau. 

The time for the Melanau to start planting rice and sago palm as well as other crops. 

In Melanau tradition, they say that such as the earth grows well so will the crops that they plant.
]]> 2017-10-08 15:36:50 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195008902 Education (informal) black_t1229 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195072798 - The usage of Melanau language taught by the elders.
- Basic skills, like farming, hunting and handicraft

]]> 2017-10-09 01:49:38 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195072798 Unique Beauty: The Melanau's Forehead Flattening Custom (Melipih Beleang) https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195074430 The melanau of sarawak wanted their children to grow up "moon- faced" i.e. having a round face. 

Hence the melanaus of mukah, oya and bintulu traditionally had the curious custom of flattening foreheads of their infants also known as "melipih beleang

Considered to be a desired beauty feature

Flattening process took place within the first month after birth.

 An apparatus known as "Tadal" or "Ja" is utilized for this purpose.

]]> 2017-10-09 02:02:52 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195074430 Education (Formal) black_t1229 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195074838 - Christian missionairies help the development of education of their state.
- The first school seted up was in Papar and Sandakan.
- English was used as the medium of instruction.
- After that, government-aided school was established and they are using Malay as the primary language.

]]> 2017-10-09 02:05:12 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195074838 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195076799 2017-10-09 02:21:16 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195076799 https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195077525 2017-10-09 02:27:29 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195077525 Bulan Pengalan (Months of the North Star) https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195078323 (September)
The sea will be very calm but there will be little fish to catch as it is the time for the fish to spawn.

This month is called the month of Pegalan because this is the time when the Pegalan (North) Star is high in the sky at the hour of six at eventide. 

This marks the seventh month. 

Legend has it that this is the month when the Melanau finds it difficult to swallow their saliva i.e. difficult to look for food. 

During this month, the Melanau would avoid getting married at all cost as the marriage would be cursed in that they will find it difficult to make a living.]]> 2017-10-09 02:33:38 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/195078323 Economic Activities fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199359190 2017-10-22 15:23:43 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199359190 Society Structure fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199359617 2017-10-22 15:27:17 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199359617 Subsistence and Commercial Activities fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199359687
- Hunting and gathering
- Cultivation of sago gardens
- Export of sago biscuit and forest products (gums, resins, rattan, timber) in exchange for metal     goods, weapons, ceramics, and cloth

 The cultivation of sago gardens was supplemented by growing swamp rice (padai paya) and orchards on the levees of the rivers


* Floods at the end of the northeast monsoon frequently ruined the rice crop, which could not be relied on for subsistence. Villages on the coast, where the water of the estuaries was too saline for extraction of flour from the sago palm, depended primarily on fishing and on the import and export trade.]]> 2017-10-22 15:27:59 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199359687 Trade fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199360256 During the northeast monsoon (when access to the rivers was limited and fishing was dangerous)

Food Ingredients- 
  • dried fish
  • salt
  • nipa palm sugar
Craft products-
  • palm-leaf thatch
  • mats
  • baskets
  • hats

Exchange these items for 
  • sago biscuit
  • fruit
  • canoes
  • timber
]]> 2017-10-22 15:33:43 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199360256 Division of Labor fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199360688 Male tasks:
  • clearing the forest 
  • planting and maintaining sago gardens
  • felling the ripe palm 
  • bringing the trunk to the villages 
  • stripping the bark off the segments into which the stem has been cut, before rasping the pith inside into a rough sawdust

Female task:
  • wash sawdusk on a platform over the river
  • house work
  • small trading
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
  • Because only Melanau are allowed to own sago land, only those with sago gardens now have any part in the production of sago
  • Many of the crops are mortgaged before they become mature. 
  • A large part of the male population is forced to leave the villages as migrant laborers in the lumber industry; others migrate permanently
  • Women are no longer economically independent
]]> 2017-10-22 15:38:35 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199360688 Industrial Arts fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199361850
In the cottage industry most of the necessary equipment was made locally or acquired through the trade. Ironwork and weaving ceased with the advent of a cash economy at the end of the nineteenth century.]]> 2017-10-22 15:47:58 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199361850 Land Tenure fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199361973
  • Every village collectively owns a delimited territory that it was formerly ready to defend against all outsiders
  • Within that territory sago gardens and orchards, carefully delimited, are individually owned
  • Joint tenancy is possible, especially if a single garden is inherited by two women, for gardens are almost never subdivided
  • Such an arrangement is not thought satisfactory; other solutions are preferred
]]> 2017-10-22 15:49:12 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199361973 fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199362613 http://www.lamindana.com/handicraft.php]]> 2017-10-22 15:56:05 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199362613 fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199362723 http://www.lamindana.com/photo-gallery.php]]> 2017-10-22 15:57:18 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199362723 Division fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199362847
  • divided by the place where they live
  • language is different based where they came from
  • Melanau Mukah and Melanau Belawai have a diverse way of interacting, but not overall of their language is different than others

    • They are divided by :

    • Melanau Mukah
    • Melanau Dalat – Dalat Town Sharing Channel
    • Oya Melanau
    • Melanau Igan
    • Melanau Matu-Daro
    • Melanau Belawai-Rajang
    • Ba’ie Melanau (Bintulu)
    • Melanau Balingian, and
    • Miri Melanau

    ]]>     2017-10-22 15:58:33 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199362847     Kinship fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199363399 Kin Groups and Descent -  Theoretically, descent is patrilineal in the allocation of rank, but is not used in the formation of groups. 

    Three types of groups in which kinship is an important factor are found:
    1.  households made up of separately catering individual families, with occasional stem families (tegen ) 
    2.  sections of the modern ribbon like villages largely consisting of relatives, and known as a-sega —a term also used for close relatives up to second cousin
    3. ad hoc groups of kin assembled from both paternal and maternal lines of descent for specific tasks (e.g., weddings, funerals, trading expeditions)

    Kinship Terminology -  Kin terms are bilateral, with one term, male and female alike, for each of five generations; but the individual family is lineally set apart from other kin. 

    • Seniority and gender in the parental generation and in Ego's siblings are terminologically distinguished
    • Kin terms are given to all relatives up to the second cousins; relatives up to fifth cousin are recognized, but connections beyond are strangers
    • No term is used for the kindred
    ]]>     2017-10-22 16:03:16 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199363399     Marriage and Family fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199364450 2017-10-22 16:13:08 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199364450 fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199364574 Marriage 

    • Although polygamous marriage, with the consent of the first wife, is permitted, it is very rare and usually leads to divorce
    • The population of a village is divided into aristocrats (a-menteri ), commoners (a-bumi), and slaves (a-dipen )
    • Ideally marriage should be with a second cousin (patrior matrilateral) within the same rank; but in small, politically independent communities the need for talent has always favored cross-rank marriages
    • The father of a bride is covertly permitted to choose the bride-wealth and rank he desires for his daughter through any line of descent
    • A wedding is the most important public occasion on which upward or downward mobility is recognized and validated
    • All first marriages are arranged by parents, but the wishes of the proposed partners are usually taken into consideration
    • Parents do not arrange second marriages
    • For a period after the wedding, uxorilocal residence is ideal, but economic advantage often overrides the ideal
    • One child, usually the youngest, is expected to remain with the parents
    • Divorce is by mutual consent, and property acquired since the marriage is divided equally
    ]]>     2017-10-22 16:14:28 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199364574     Socialization fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199364846
    • Infants and children are reared by both parents, by siblings, and by other household members
    • Physical punishment is very rare; it is regarded as a debased practice of the Chinese
    • Individual independence is highly valued, but not at the expense of custom and respect for elderly people
    ]]>     2017-10-22 16:17:20 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199364846     Inheritance fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199364980
  •  Property is divided equally among surviving children and the offspring of any dead children
  • The former longhouse apartment or the contemporary house, in addition to a share of other property, is usually allotted to the child who remains with the parents
  • Gardens and orchards are divided as whole units and are not subdivided
    • ]]>     2017-10-22 16:18:54 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199364980     Social Control fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199365083
  • In villages social control is largely a matter of adat, or custom, supervised and administered by the headmen and elders
  • The Coastal Melanau Adat, an attempted codification of many village adats, is followed by headmen and elders:-
    •  in cases of family and personal dispute
    • short of homicide
    • criminal theft

    • * any violation of which entails civil penalties imposed by the elders and automatic supernatural penalties that can be averted only by correct reparation
    ]]>     2017-10-22 16:20:05 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199365083     fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199366696 2017-10-22 16:32:49 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199366696 fate_kvy https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199366907
  • is married to
  • is cohabiting with
  • is divorced from
  • is separated from
  • adopted-in female
  • adopted-in male
  • is descended from
  • is the sibling of
    • ]]>     2017-10-22 16:34:48 UTC https://padlet.com/black_t1229/bxt23k1jf9js/wish/199366907