Malaysian Heritage
Dr Jaya was absolutely right. Staying in Melaka is definitely not boring at all. There are a lot of things to do, many things to see and many historical places to visit. I had a great time spending my weekends there. Since I decided not to go back to KL during weekends, I made plans with Zurina and Wazir to visit some of the beautiful places here. Melaka is a nice place to visit. I love watching the sunset at Klebang beach, window shopping at Mahkota Parade, eating “mee hoon basah” at the RR stall near our home, driving round the Melaka city at night with my friends, dinner at Anjung Batu…simply love the “ikan bakar”…ohhh so many things to tell and to share with.
During one of the weekends, my friends and I visited one of the most popular attractions in Melaka that is the Taman Mini Malaysia. It is situated approximately 16 killometres from the city. The complex displays the actual size of the beautiful traditional crafted house from the 13 states in Malaysia. What is unique about Taman Mini Malaysia is not only it provides the visitors with the knowledge of local history but also a spectrum of the traditional architecture and culture heritage of Malaysia.
We are indeed very lucky that day because we had the chance to watch the folk and traditional dances performed by the dancers from Kelab Budaya. Cultural performances are only held during weekends and public holidays.
The Portugese Dance
The "Kuda Kepang" Dance from Johor
The Zapin Saujana Dance, has some arabic influence.
The Perak ‘Old’ House - the state where I come from.
These houses can only be found by the banks of Perak River located in central district, lower Perak and Kuala Kangsar. The materials used are wood and bamboo. Wood is used for the post and roof frame work whilst the walls are made of flattered bamboo strips interwoven in a pattern and the attap [roof] is made of woven palm leaves that make the house very cooling and pleasant.
The banana trunk, the hanged piece of cloth and some apparatus seen in the Perak House are used for the circumcision ceremony in the olden days. Circumcision or “berkhatan” originates from the Arabic word “Khitan”. The meaning to be circumcised is the cutting-off the foreskin of males normally aged between 6 to 16 years old. The circumcision ceremony among the Muslims is one of the joys being celebrated with a reception. In those days, children undergoing the circumcision are dressed like grooms and paraded around the village. The highlight of the ceremony is performed by an experienced man known as the “Tok Mudin”. But nowadays things have changed. Most of the children are sent to the doctors to be circumcised, using new and modern techniques which are believed to bring less pain.
Melaka Malay House is easily recognized by its stone and multi-coloured tiles steps which are imported from China and India. It is normally built with “cengal”, “meranti” and “damar laut”. Like other Malay houses, the attap is made of “rumbia” or “nipah”. That’s me and Zurina at the tiled staircase.
Zurina and Wazir giving their best pose at Kedah Long House. Kedah, that is where Zurina comes from. Kedah Long House is well known for its 'ruang rumah tangga' which is situated in front of the verandah. This house stands on several posts of which the main house has more than 20 stilts. The walls, like the Perak Old House, are also made of flattered bamboo strips whereas the roof is made of the senggora tiles.
'Congkak', one of the most popular traditional games and is still being played by people of all ages, young and old. Found this 'Congkak' board in the Negeri Sembilan Adat Minangkabau House. The structure of this house is rather long, I am sitting at the verandah. Simply love the carved wooden walls. Needs a lot of hard work and patience to produce this kind of masterpiece.
What I felt that day? Well, a lil tired walking around the 5 hectare cultural village but it was worth it. Surrounded with its green and 'cool' environment, I felt like I am being transported to another place and time, back to the olden days!
During one of the weekends, my friends and I visited one of the most popular attractions in Melaka that is the Taman Mini Malaysia. It is situated approximately 16 killometres from the city. The complex displays the actual size of the beautiful traditional crafted house from the 13 states in Malaysia. What is unique about Taman Mini Malaysia is not only it provides the visitors with the knowledge of local history but also a spectrum of the traditional architecture and culture heritage of Malaysia.
We are indeed very lucky that day because we had the chance to watch the folk and traditional dances performed by the dancers from Kelab Budaya. Cultural performances are only held during weekends and public holidays.
The Portugese Dance
The "Kuda Kepang" Dance from Johor
The Zapin Saujana Dance, has some arabic influence.
The Perak ‘Old’ House - the state where I come from.
These houses can only be found by the banks of Perak River located in central district, lower Perak and Kuala Kangsar. The materials used are wood and bamboo. Wood is used for the post and roof frame work whilst the walls are made of flattered bamboo strips interwoven in a pattern and the attap [roof] is made of woven palm leaves that make the house very cooling and pleasant.
The banana trunk, the hanged piece of cloth and some apparatus seen in the Perak House are used for the circumcision ceremony in the olden days. Circumcision or “berkhatan” originates from the Arabic word “Khitan”. The meaning to be circumcised is the cutting-off the foreskin of males normally aged between 6 to 16 years old. The circumcision ceremony among the Muslims is one of the joys being celebrated with a reception. In those days, children undergoing the circumcision are dressed like grooms and paraded around the village. The highlight of the ceremony is performed by an experienced man known as the “Tok Mudin”. But nowadays things have changed. Most of the children are sent to the doctors to be circumcised, using new and modern techniques which are believed to bring less pain.
Melaka Malay House is easily recognized by its stone and multi-coloured tiles steps which are imported from China and India. It is normally built with “cengal”, “meranti” and “damar laut”. Like other Malay houses, the attap is made of “rumbia” or “nipah”. That’s me and Zurina at the tiled staircase.
Zurina and Wazir giving their best pose at Kedah Long House. Kedah, that is where Zurina comes from. Kedah Long House is well known for its 'ruang rumah tangga' which is situated in front of the verandah. This house stands on several posts of which the main house has more than 20 stilts. The walls, like the Perak Old House, are also made of flattered bamboo strips whereas the roof is made of the senggora tiles.
'Congkak', one of the most popular traditional games and is still being played by people of all ages, young and old. Found this 'Congkak' board in the Negeri Sembilan Adat Minangkabau House. The structure of this house is rather long, I am sitting at the verandah. Simply love the carved wooden walls. Needs a lot of hard work and patience to produce this kind of masterpiece.
What I felt that day? Well, a lil tired walking around the 5 hectare cultural village but it was worth it. Surrounded with its green and 'cool' environment, I felt like I am being transported to another place and time, back to the olden days!
