Iban dance- Ngajat

Assalammualaikum.

For my last entry, I would like to focus on indigenous Iban dance. Before that, I would like to give few information on Iban tribe. Ibans are located in Sarawak who is formerly known during the colonial period by the British as Sea Dayaks. They practicing headhunting and tribal expension and had a fearsome reputation as a strong and successful tribe in ancient times.

Ngajat dance

Iban dance is known as ngajat dance. The traditional dance is believed to have been performed by warriors on their return from battles since the 16^th Century. The main festival for the Ibans is Gawai Dayak. Other festivals include the bird festival Gawai Burong and the spirit festival Gawai Antu. The male dancers will wear large feathers as part of their headgear, hold an ornate and long shield in their hand with chains, beads and a loincloth called ‘cawat’. While the female dancers have an elaborate headdress, chains, beads and a dress that reaches to below their knees with intricate weaving.

male dancer

the Ngajat dancers

This dance is now performed to celebrate the most important harvest festival called Gawai to welcome important guests to the longhouses. The Ibans who were traditionally animist, now the majorities of them are Christian. For the majority of Ibans who are Christians, some Christian festivals such as Christmas and Easter are also celebrated. Despite the difference in faiths, Ibans of different faiths do help each other during Gawai and Christmas celebrations. The differences in faith is never a problem in the Iban community.

references: Ngajat , Ibans

Festival of Light

Deepavali or Diwali is known as the ‘festival of light’, is a festival celebrated by Indian. The name Diwali or Divali is a contraction of  दीपावली (Dīpāvalī), translates into ‘row of lamps’ that marks by four days of celebration which literally illumines the country with its brilliance and dazzles all with its joy.

The origin of Deepavali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival. But, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali or Deepavali. Some believe it is the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu, and some believe the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark goddess of strength.

In Malaysia, Diwali festival is celebrated during the seventh month of Hindu solar calander. Is it a federal public holiday throughout Malaysia. In many respects it resembles the traditions followes in the Indian subcontinent. Open houses are held where Hindu Malaysian welcome fellow Malaysians of different races and religions to their house for a scrumptious meal. This is a practice unique to Malaysia and shows the goodwill and friendly ties practiced by all Malaysians during any festival occasion.

As Deepavali is the celebration of light, all the ritual of Diwali has a significance story to tell. The decoration of lights is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.

some of Kolam/Rangoli design

While Rangoli, also known as Kolam is a folk art from India. It is a decorative designs made on the foors of living rooms and courtyards during Hindu festivals. The patterns are typically created with materials including colored rice, dry flour, and colored sand or even flower petals. The purpose of Rangoli or Kolam is it was thought to bring good luck. The variety of design may reflect traditions, folkfore and practices that are unique to each area. It is considered as an important part of the spiritual process which purification of the spirit and the prosperity that lies behind every purification process. As Kolam drawn by Indian women in front of their doors or gates, it also represents a philosophy of life that enthusiastically celebrates the impermanence of knowing and devotes to live in the present.

references: Dewali , Festival of light , Kolam

Malay Art of Defence-Silat Gayong

Silat is a term used to describe the martial art forms practiced throughout the peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The philosophy of gayong is strongly related to the Malay cultures and traditions, ‘adab’, and the teaching of religion.

Silat Gayong, is one of Malay’s martial art which normally associated with a series of movements of which 2 components demonstrate how to fence and defend themselves without the use of weapons in an extremely graceful manner. It is a defensive art, an art for neither stopping wars nor creating them. Silat Gayong is known as a tool to strengthen relationships among mankind, a great way to develop and increase physical fitness, flexibility, mental conditioning, discipline and self-confidence.

demonstration on Silat Gayong

As Silat Gayong was introduced to the Malacca court in the 15^th century, it was taught only for selected people, which as a form of entertainment for privileged classes and eventually among rural classes until the days prior to the Japanese occupation in World War II. Then, Silat Gayong spread to other places such as the island of Seking, Bukum, Sekijang, Sembilan, Semakom and Damar island. Silat Gayong also spread throughout the Indonesian islands as a way to protect the villagers from pirates.

Today, Silat Gayong is widely practiced in Malaysia and Singapore. The art is being taught in school, colleges, armed forces and the Royal Malaysian Police. This martial art plays an important role for young generations. It is because; Silat Gayong has become a way to educate and introduce good character and discipline and encourages the Malaysia youth to appreciate the legends of our nation, culture and tradition.

reference: Silat Melayu

                Silat Gayong

Jawi Scripts

Assalammualaikum.

For this entry, I would like to share about Malay writing which is Jawi alphabet. Jawi ( جاوي‎) is an Arabic alphabet for writing in Malay language. Jawi is written from right to left with 36 alphabets.

Jawi alphabets

Eventually, Jawi has been used for religious and cultural purposes by Malay people. At the early stage of Islamisation, the Arabic script was taught to the people who had embraced Islam in the form of religious practices, such as recitation of Quran. The Arabic script was accepted by Malay people with the acceptance of Islam. Furthermore, the used of Jawi script was the main factor to introduce Malay as the lingua franca of the region, with the spread of Islam. In addition, Jawi was used not only amongst the ruling class, but also the common people. The Islamisation and Malayisation of the region popularized jawi into a dominant script.

Manuscript of Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa was in Jawi

Today, Jawi is used for religious and Malay cultural administration in Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Johor. Jawi scripts are also seen at the rear of Malaysian ringgit banknotes. The usage of Jawi now has been replaced by a Latin alphabet called Rumi. Various efforts were made to revive the Jawi script in Malaysia and Brunai as it is important in Malay and Islamic spheres.

McDonald in Kelantan

We should not discard or abandon the jawi script even though Malays are generally using the romanised script. This is because the jawi script belongs to us and is part of our heritage— Pendeta Za’ba in the foreword of the book Panduan Membaca dan Menulis Jawi (1957)

reference: Jawi alphabets , Jawi