This article lists the practices listed in UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in Malaysia.
Understand
The country has five practices listed on the "representative list of intangible cultural heritage From UNESCO.
No additional practice is included in the "register of best practices for safeguarding culture "Or on the"emergency backup list ».
Lists
Representative list
| Convenient | Year | Domain | Description | Drawing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mak Yong theater | 2008 | * Performing Arts * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Oral traditions and expressions | This ancient form of theater created by the Malays of Malaysia combines dramatic art, vocal and instrumental music, gestures and elaborate costumes. Specific to the villages of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where it originated, Mak Yong is primarily portrayed as entertainment or for ritualistic purposes associated with healing practices. According to experts, Mak Yong appeared long before the country was Islamized. Having become a royal art under the direct patronage of the Sultanate of Kelantan, it was played at court until the 1920s. The tradition was then perpetuated in rural areas while retaining the refinements stimulated by royal patronage, such as sumptuous costumes. A performance of Mak Yong begins with offerings, followed by dances, drama, music, monologues and improvised dialogues. Sessions last three hours and can be repeated several evenings in a row depending on the story chosen. In the traditional village context, the representations are held on the ground, under a temporary structure made of wood and palm leaves, open on all sides. The audience takes place on three of the four sides of the stage, the fourth being reserved for the orchestra composed of a rebab (three-stringed spade fiddle), a gendang (two-skin drum) and a tetawak (hanging gong). Most of the roles are performed by women, and the stories are inspired by ancient Malaysian folk tales of royal figures, deities and jesters. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal the sick through song, dance, trance, and possession of the spirits. Mak Yong, which involves many years of training, has been preserved to this day mainly through oral transmission. But in today's society, few young people are inclined to undergo such a rigorous apprenticeship. So much so that this remarkable tradition is gradually declining, as evidenced by the impoverishment of the dramatic and musical repertoires and the lack of experienced performers. |  |
| The Dondang Sayang | 2018 | * Performing Arts * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Oral traditions and expressions | Dondang Sayang is a traditional Malaysian art still practiced in Melaka by four communities: the Malays, the Baba Nyonya, the Chitty and the Portuguese community. The practice combines musical elements (violins, gongs and tambourines or drums), songs and melodious poetic chords. Also known as "love ballads," the songs are used by communities to express feelings of love and to give advice on topics such as love and generosity. In the 15th century, during the time of the Sultanate of Melaka, Dondang Sayang was performed at ceremonies and events at the Royal Palace. Subsequently, it spread to the affected communities. In keeping with tradition, Dondang Sayang's performances are accompanied by music and songs performed by two artists, a man and a woman, who sing in quatrains. Usually, Dondang Sayang performers have great skill in reciting poetry. Dondang Sayang performances are open to anyone, regardless of the audience's age, occupation, status or religion, and the art is seen as a way to convey positive messages and share feelings of love. , joy and sorrow that strengthen the bonds that unite communities. Performances are regularly organized, especially at gatherings, festivals and parties, and many cultural programs, activities and trainings are now organized for those who wish to interpret this element and improve the quality of their practice. | |
| The silat | 2019 | * Performing Arts * Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe | Silat is a self-defense and survival martial art rooted in the Malaysian archipelago. Dating back to the beginning of the Langkasuka Kingdom, silat has evolved into an elaborate practice of physical and spiritual training, including traditional Malay attire, musical instruments, and silat customs. There are many styles of silat inspired by the movements of bodies, nature and animals. For example, the harimau silat combines aesthetic and rhythmic movements that mimic the defensive and attacking postures of the tiger. In Malaysia alone, there are over 150 known styles of silat with names of natural elements such as animals or plants. Originally, Malaysian silat was practiced by warriors - noble defenders of justice - but today practitioners are masters, gurus, teachers and students who ensure the sustainability of the practice. Practices usually take place in the evening or at night in an open space such as an interior courtyard, led by a master and a "jurukaka". A large number of practitioners have been trained and encouraged, and a growing number of training centers have been established in several regions. With the acceleration of its diffusion, the practice has increasingly transcended its status as a martial art to become a performing art. Silat has therefore become a popular sport for health and leisure. |  |
| The pantun Note Malaysia shares this practice withIndonesia. | 2020 | * Performing Arts * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Oral traditions and expressions * Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe | Pantun is a form of Malay poetry that expresses complex ideas and emotions. It is the most common form of oral expression in maritime Southeast Asia, used in many parts of the region for at least 500 years. The pantun follows the a-b-a-b rhythm. The four-line form is the most popular. Pantun can be transmitted in music, song or writing. Over seventy percent of the compositions express love for his / her partner, family, community or nature. The verses can be recited at weddings, customary rites and official ceremonies. Pantun represents a more socially acceptable way of expressing oneself indirectly by being courteous. It is also a moral instrument as its verses often include religious and cultural values such as restraint, respect, kindness and humility. The pantun also plays a diplomatic role in conflict resolution because it allows you to talk about important topics with a certain sensitivity. He also praises harmony with nature and flexibility in human relationships. Pantun is taught formally in arts schools and workshops and through informal means. |  |
| The Ong Chun / Wangchuan / Wangkang ceremony, rituals and associated practices to maintain the lasting bond between man and the ocean Note Malaysia shares this practice with China. | 2020 | Social practices, rituals and festive events | The Ong Chun ceremony and associated practices are rooted in popular customs related to worshiping Ong Yah, a deity who is said to protect people and land from disasters. The element formed in the Minnan region between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries and is now concentrated in Xiamen Bay and Quanzhou Bay as well as among Chinese communities in Malacca, Malaysia. People who have lost their lives at sea, called “good brothers”, become wandering souls, alone and homeless. At the beginning of the ceremony, the population gathers by the sea to welcome Ong Yah in the temples or the clan houses and poles surmounted by lamps are erected to call the "good brothers" and deliver them from the turmoil. The element is thus celebrated as "the performance of good deeds". Community members deliver artistic performances at the head of the procession and lead the way for Ong Yah's barge (made of wood or paper). Among these many performances, we can mention the opera gaojia, the opera gezai, various dances including the dragon dance and the lion dance, puppet shows, among others. The element maintains the historical memory of the ancestors who set out on the ocean, reform social ties to better cope with emergencies such as shipwrecks, and honors the harmony between man and the ocean. It also bears witness to the intercultural dialogue between communities. | |
Register of Best Safeguarding Practices
Malaysia does not have a practice listed in the Best Safeguarding Practices Register.
Emergency backup list
Malaysia does not have a practice on the Emergency Safeguarding List.
