St. Paul’s Hill (A Famosa)

Sep 30, 2009


As you may know, the Portuguese came to Malacca in 1511 and ruled the place till 1641. When they arrived at the shores of Melaka, the first thing they did was build a fort overlooking the river. They named it A Famosa. The A Famosa is one of the oldest European Architecture present in Southeast Asia.

A Famosa Malacca

Throughout the Portuguese rule, the fort was critical to their foothold of the island because the town was constantly under threats from other foreign bigwigs (i.e. the British and Dutch). It was not only important for Melaka; the fort was also instrumental in maintaining the Portuguese stronghold across the Far East. The fort consists of housing and food stores, a castle, a meeting room for the Portuguese Council and five churchs.

In the late 17th century, Malacca came under attack by the Dutch and was significantly damaged, leaving only the entrance façade and the structure of a church at the top of the hill. In the early 19th century, the fortress was taken over by the British who decided to destroy it. This destruction came about in the year 1806; all was demolished expect for a small part, what is found today, the last bit of the once active and important fortress.

Tips for Travelers

You can take a stroll up St. Paul’s Hill on a cool late afternoon and walk around the huge trees and whatever is left of the great fort. Wandering around the place, you can well imagine the glorious days of the lives the Portuguese led right here centuries ago. It is better if you head up after 3 pm when the sun is less hot and the sea breeze begins.

How should visitors get to St Paul’s Hill (A Famosa)?

Preferably by taxi if you are in Melaka for a short trip. The taxi will cost you no more than RM 15.

If you have plenty of time then do look for a city bus. You can get off near bus stop No. 7 or 8. St. Paul’s Hill is within walking distance from both of the bus stops.

Approximate Touring Time

The approximate touring time for the St. Paul’s Hill is about an hour. There are a couple of attractions nearby so you might want to spend more time or plan your itinerary accordingly.

Nearby Attractions

There are plenty of attractions near St. Paul’s Hill. A few of them are:

  • Dataran Pahlawan Mega Mall
  • Mahkota Parade Shooping Mall
  • Menara Taming Sari ( a revolving observation deck from a height of 80 meters)
  • Istana Museum

There are also a couple of attractions within walking distance (about 15 – 20 minutes):

  • The Stadthuys
  • Christ Church
  • Melaka River Cruise
  • The Maritime Museum
  • Jonker Walk

Visiting Hours

The place is open for the public 24 hours a day. The recommended time to visit is early morning or late afternoon.

Admission Charges - Free

Melaka Heritage Walk

Melaka, Malaysia is best known for its well preserved culture and heritage. This is why Melaka earned its place in the coveted UNESCO world heritage sites. Melaka or Malacca is Malaysia's oldest historical city and one of the most popular tourists' spots in the world today.

The town of Melaka is small and compact. You can visit all of its interesting sites just by walking down the narrow streets lined with specialty shops and century-aged houses. With combined effort from the Melaka Tourist Information Center and American Express Foundation, they developed the Melaka Heritage Trail that will bring tourists to the right places just by following the map. Melaka Heritage Trail is like a walk back in time for tourists. This map is made simple with easy-to-follow diagram and descriptions of each suggested site.

When visiting Melaka, stop by at the Melaka Tourist Information Center first, to pick up your map and for best tips on how to maximize your visit to this ancient town. The center is located right at the heart of old Malacca. Your trail will start here and should end here as well. There are 10 major stops, not to mention your "side-stops" to interesting shops and spots along the trail. So, here it is, enjoy!

Your first stop is to the site where Melaka history started and took shape, the Malacca River. This river was once a busy, major port playing an important role in the spice trade but now it is only used for tourism purposes. Because of this port, Melaka had been colonized by foreign blood so many times. Melaka River Cruises are also offered in this area. At the eastern bank of this river, you can find 15th century Hindu Prince Parameswara's palace.

Explore the world of Baba Nyonya heritage or Peranakan culture with your next stop. This culture began with inter-racial marriages between the Chinese settlers and native Malay women in Melaka. The Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock is the "rich people" lane where houses are designed exquisitely with blends of Dutch and Chinese influences. You can also find Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum in this side of the street where guided tours are held upon request. Check out the miniature shoes, intricately designed, in display. They were used by foot-bound female of Baba Nyonyans.

A short walk and you will find yourself face to face with Malaysian's oldest Buddhist temple that is fully functional despite its age, the Cheng Hoon Teng or Green Cloud temple. Religiously activities are held here everyday. Further along is the oldest mosque in Malaysia, the Kampong Kling Mosque that was built with Sumatran influence in 1748. Kampong Kling Mosque still remains as the central of the Malay community.

Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia and one of the firsts. This temple is dedicated to Vinayagar, a deity who is known to remove obstacles. Now, when you see the famous bright red building, you will know you are still right on track. This old protestant church is called Christ Church and it is situated in Dutch Square. It is said that there are tombstones underneath the church. Masses are regularly conducted here in different dialects to cater to its multi-lingual congregation and one should not miss the clock tower that was built in 1886.

Going around, you will see the St. Paul's Historical Complex which houses three of Melaka's oldest buildings. At the foot of St. Paul's Hill, you will find the former residence of Dutch governor built in 1650. This building is hard to miss since it was painted red. Right up the top of the hill is the St. Paul's Church where you can also see the magnificent view of Malacca Strait. On the other side is the surviving gate of A Famosa called Porta de Santiago which was built in 1512.

Stumble upon Malacca Sultanate palace on your way back. This is a fairly new building if compared to those in site since it is a replica of the original palace. It is now home to Malacca Cultural Museum. Your last stop will be the Malacca Club or the Proclamation of Independence memorial. This trail will lead you back to Melaka Tourist Information Center, ending your journey through this fantastic and rich culture of Melaka. After visiting the important sites, feel free to roam around for some more.

Culture of the Philippines

The culture of the Philippines has been greatly influenced by the migrants that have come to this island nation throughout time. Most of the people that call themselves Filipinos actually descend from Austonesian tribes that most likely migrated from Taiwan to the Philippines thousands of years ago. It is suspected that the first Filipinos were related to the Ami Tribe.

There are at least fifteen ethnic groups that currently call the Philippines home. These groups include: the Tagalogs, the Moro, the Bicolanos, the Igorot, the Mangyan, the Chabacano, the Ivantan, the Visayan, the Ilocanos, the Kapampangans, the Pangasinese, the Lumad, the Ibanag, the Badjao and the Palawan tribes. Each of these tribes has a unique set of traditions, beliefs and languages. However, while languages vary from tribe to tribe the official languages of the Philippines are English and Filipino. These languages are used for trade and business, and tribal languages are used for private communications between tribe members, religious ceremonies and leisure communications.

The culture of the Philippines is made up of several religions. However, the majority of this nation is Roman Catholic. If fact Catholics make up 81 percent of the Filipino population. Other religions practiced in the Philippines include Protestantism, Islam and local tribal religions.

The culture of the Philippines has been influenced by a number of outside cultures. One of the most influential cultures on the Filipinos was the Hispanic culture. Hispanics introduced Roman Catholicism to this country. They also influenced the development of Filipino music, folk art, dance and food. The Chinese also influenced the culture of the Philippines. However, their influence was mostly on Filipino cuisine. Their influence can be seen in the used of noodles in Filipino dishes.

Cultural Singapore Attractions

The cultural industry in Singapore has blossomed of late and now high art and the wonderful world of cultural exhibitions have invaded this island nation to an extent where the scene itself has piqued interest within the community. The National Arts Council and the Heritage Board, working together with MICA (Ministry of Information, Culture and the Arts) have worked together for years to build Singapore into a Renaissance City - hoping to emulate the explosion of culture and art in Italy in the 14th Century - and hopefully spawning their own Michelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci.

The Singapore museum and the heritage museum are just some of the examples of how this nation has leveraged on its own culture and rich history to put together exhibitions and attractions that cannot be missed. Singapore's founding, its prime leaders and its birth from a footnote in history to Sovereign nation are chronicled in a rich world of sound, art and words in the Singapore National Museum and the heritage gallery as well. Be sucked into the 1900's again as chronicled in acute detailed is history of Singapore - with journals of our early colonial founders etched out in aching beauty and sound. Also, recently in the national museum was some of the notes of William Farquhar and his chronicle of some of the species of animals that used to reside in the Singapore jungles and some of the names the locals or 'Orang Asli' used to give to them.

The Asian Civilisation Museum is also a prime example of a cultural Singapore attraction that you must visit as soon as possible. The rich tapestry of the Asian civilisations are realised in life like and breathtaking models and statues transported from dig sites all over Inner Mongolia, China and all over South East Asia. Be amazed as they tell the histories and lifestyle of Old Asia in a way no - one can, through pictures and objects that inspire the greatest story teller of all - your imagination. This museum also deals with propaganda and cultural material and how politics of old and of new has changed the face of culture in countries like Burma, Indonesia and China.

There is no end to the sort of cultural experiences you can enjoy in Singapore. The National Heritage Board has a smorgasbord of facilities and organisations to whet the cultural appetite. They have converted the old Ford Factory in Singapore to a memorial - museum like emporium of the 1960's. The Peranakan Museum and the Singapore Philatelic Museum are just some of the examples of rich locations where you can view great cultural pieces and demonstrations for just a nominal fee.

Singapore is culture. It is founded on culture, built by tradition and lovingly shaped by hundreds of years of history - a maelstrom of inculturality that has given this country an identity that is rich, varied and beautiful. Singapore has decided to share this with anyone who wants to look, as well as bringing the rest of greater Asia into a single location - to inspire a living heritage and dynamic cultural attractions.

Majapahit Empire

Sep 29, 2009

Majapahit was an archipelagic empire based on the island of Java from 1293 to around 1500. Majapahit reached its peak of glory during the era of Hayam Wuruk, whose reign from 1350 to 1389 marked by the conquest of kingdoms in Maritime Southeast Asia (including present day Indonesoa, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, East Timor, and the Philippines).

Majapahit empire was the last of the major empires of the Malay archipelago and is considered to be one of the greatest empires in Indonesian history. Its influence extended beyond the modern territory of Indonesia and has been a subject of many studies.

Trowulan is a village in Mojokerto, in the Indonesian province of East Java. It is surrounded by an archaeological site covering approximately 100 square kilometres. It has been suggested it was the site of the eponymous capital city of the Majapahit Empire, which is described by Mpu Prapanca in the 14th-century poem Nagarakretagama and in a 15th-century Chinese source.

The Nagarakretagama contains poetic descriptions of the palace of Majapahit and its surroundings, but is limited to the royal and religious sectors. Some of the details are vague, and scholars who have tried to compile a plan of the capital have come to different conclusions.

Older research at Trowulan has concentrated on monumental remains: temples, tombs, and a bathing place. Archaeological surveys and excavations have recently found the remains of industrial, commercial and religious activity, habitation areas and water supply systems, all of which are evidence of dense population during the 14th to 15th centuries.

The ancient city ruins at Trowulan had been discovered by the 19th century. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, governor of Java from 1811 until 1816 and an indefatigable enthusiast for the island's history, reported the existence of ' ruins of temples.... scattered about the country for many miles '. Much of the region was blanketed with dense teak forest at that time, making detailed survey impossible. Nonetheless, Raffles was so impressed by what he saw that he was later to refer to Trowulan as ' this pride of Java '.

TROWULAN MUSEUM
Place to keep the ancient things of Majapahit Kingdom, it is also a place study especially for the pupils and the students. Beside that it can also be function as the recreation place. Its location at Trowulan.


Dances Mindanao

Sep 28, 2009

Like their brothers from central and northern Philippines, Filipinos in the South are avid lovers of dance. The dances, particularly of the Maguindanao, the Maranao, and the Taosug, are largely ceremonial and are often accompanied by percussion instruments such as gongs and drums. The presence of Indian influences, introduced no doubt by Hinduized Malays, is prominent in the dance called Kandingan, a Taosug wedding dance; in the Lanao dance Singkil, performed in the presence of the Maranao royal family; in the Sagayan, a Maranao and Maguindanao war dance recalling the exploits of the great Muslim warrior Bantugan; in the Pangalay, performed with expressive hand movements in varied versions among the Tausog, Badjao and Samal; in the Tahing Baila, a Yakan dance for a bountiful fish catch; and in the Lunsay, a popular Jama Mapun community song-and-dance number performed during wedding celebrations.

The Maranao dance called Singkil is in the repertory of all Filipino dance troupes. There are many interpretations of this dance. In 1958 the Bayanihan Dance troupe started with a simple version and has since developed it into a theatrical and stylized spectacle to the point of its becoming the troupe's signature piece.


According to Maranao legend, the Singkil derives its name from the feat of a certain Princess Gandingan. While she was walking in the forest, diwatas (fairies) caused the earth to quake and shake the trees and rocks; Princess Gandingan, however, skipped nimbly from one place to another so that her feet did not touch the fallen trees and rocks. Originally, in Singkil (Maranao word for "getting a leg or foot entangled in an object") a solo female performer danced in and out of crisscrossed bamboo poles, keeping time to the syncopation of the poles, at the same time manipulating two fans (apir). The dance had no music other than the beating of the poles and had a moderate and static rhythm. In today's versions of the dance a retinue follows the star performer skillfully skip in and out of crisscrossing bamboo poles that are rhythmically clapped to the beat of an ensemble of kotiyapi (bamboo guitar), insi (bamboo flute), kobing (harp), and tintikan (metal sticks).


Pangalay

There are various versions of the dance called Pangalay, popular among the Badjao, Samal, and Tausog groups. The basic dance, with its expressive hand movements, is sometimes performed with long silver or golden nails (called janggay) attached to the dancers' fingers. Among the Badjao-Samal groups, a Spanish-influenced Pangalay, a dance called Bulah-bulah, employs shell or bamboo castanets. Another variation of the dance is one in which a girl performs atop two bamboo poles borne on the shoulders of two men and is called Pangalay sa Patong.



LUNSAY

Lunsay, a game song-dance among the Jama Mapun of Cagayan de Sulu, is performed during wedding celebrations. A group dance, it features a coil or spiral of handholding male and female dancers who join in and drop out as the dance goes on. An essential element of Lunsay is the clicking sound of a bamboo floor laid crosswise over the original floor of the house in which the dance is performed.

KANDINGAN

Performed at Tausog weddings in Jolo, the Kandingan consists of figures and steps based on classical and traditional Indian dance forms. Dancers perform with slightly bent knees turned outward, fingers held stiffly together with the thumb outward and apart. There is no definite number of steps, no sequence of figures, no lines of direction, no particular foot and arm movements--only a total dependence on the ability and mood of the individual dancer. Whereas Maranao society has no sanction for men and women dancing together, the Tausogs in Kandingan require mixed dancing. The name of the dance is derived from gandang, a musical instrument similar to a drum.

What is Deepavali?

Sep 27, 2009

The festival celebrated by Hindus which is known as 'Deepavali'.

A colorful festival that is celebrated by all Hindus worldwide is Deepavali, which is also known as the festival of lights. This festival usually falls around late October and November. One important practice that the Hindus follow during the festival is to light oil lamps in their homes on Deepavali morning. By lighting the oil lamps, the Hindus are thanking the gods for the happiness, knowledge, peace and wealth that they have received. The Hindus consider Deepavali as one of the most important festivals to celebrate.

The Legend -

There is even an interesting legend behind this festival. The story goes that Narakasura, a demon, ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace. Seeing his wickedness, Lord Khrishna set out to destroy the demon and the day Narakasura died was celebrated as Deepavali, the triumph of good over evil!

Preparations -

Preparation for Deepavali starts usually at least two to three weeks before the festival. It is known that the Hindus will be busy cleaning their houses to prepare for the festival. Some would even renovate their houses to prepare it for Deepavali. Usually the family will shop for new clothes and for accessories to decorate their homes. Prior to the festival, Indian shops will be selling festive items like Deepavali greeting cards, carpets, Punjabi suits and flowers. The Hindus will frequent these shops when they are shopping for Deepavali.

Celebrations -

The Hindus usually awake early in the morning of deepavali around 3am and the first ritual will be having an oil bath, which is an important feature of Deepavali. Hindus will be dressed in their new clothes on Deepavali. Most of the ladies would be clad in silk saris or Punjabi suits of various bright shades. Hindus particularly dislike dressing in black on that day, as they consider black an inauspicious color for the festival. Hindus would also pay their respects to the elderly and most families would go to the temple after having breakfast. This is also an important practice for them. The reason why they would be going to the temples is to pray to get happiness and prosperity on Deepavali. The houses would be decorated with oil lamps and children will play with firecrackers to celebrate the festival. On the first day, they would not go visiting but would stay at home to welcome the guests who visit them.

Food -

Visiting Hindus during Deepavali will be an interesting activity, as you will get to taste a wide variety of delicious food. In every home that you visit you are bound to be served with a tempting spread of sweets. Some of the popular sweets are halwa, burfi and laddu. Hindus love eating spicy food and for non-vegetarians they indulge in favorites like chicken tandoori, prawn sambal and fish head curry. In homes of Hindus who are vegetarians popular dishes like thosais, idlis and naans are prepared.

Clothing, Traditional—Malaysia

Sep 25, 2009

Malays, the majority population in Malaysia, are a Muslim people indigenous to villages (kampung) in Southeast Asia. Village dress is situational and reflects relationships and contexts. Traditional dress for women is the sarung kebaya. The kebaya (blouse) may be diaphanous to near transparent and is commonly pleated significantly above and below the part of the garment covering the breasts. The sarung, a cotton skirt hemmed into a cylindrical shape, is stepped into, folded right to left, and tucked at the waist. It is commonly of a floral pattern. Although normally worn with a blouse or pullover top, it can also be worn alone; this is commonly done when sleeping or bathing. The final piece of traditional women's dress is a head scarf (selendang); although often serving as a veil, it can be worn in a number of ways.

The male shirt (baju) and small black hat (songkok) are usually reserved for formal occasions, such as Friday prayers or certain feasts. Men often wear sarung, differentiated from women's by the fold (left to right, below the navel) and the pattern (plaid, rather than floral).

In the distant past, both men and women used the sarung as the primary and often sole garment. However, varieties of dress have risen with increased trade and contact with other cultural groups. Even so, women are careful to conform to public forms of dress in the market, the mosque, and village celebrations. The more accepted contemporary form of public village dress is the tudung. Commonly, this consists of a matching long sleeved tunic and floor length skirt (baju kurung), accompanied by a head scarf (anak tudung). It is not uncommon for women to mix and match long skirts and tunics, even substituting short-sleeved blouses or tee-shirts. The baju kurung is often made from very colorful cloth, and may also be patterned. In recent times, the sarung kebaya has fallen into disrepute as a public garment and been replaced by more modest clothing, usually a variation of the baju kurung ensemble. The sarung itself, however, continues to be a staple of the kampung.

WEARING STYLE

A typical Baju Kurung is worn with a sarong which is tailored in the "ikatan ombak mengalun" or "ikatan mengombak" (wavy knitted and sewn) at one side of the sarong.

baju kebaya and baju melayuBesides the aesthetics aspect, this of course is for practical ease of walking, as although tight at the top, the lower part of the sarong is still wide enough and expandable for a big stride.

The Baju Kurung is either worn in the style of "kain berdagang luar" (with the sarong worn outside the dress) or "kain berdagang dalam" (worn inside the dress).

Where the sarong is worn in the style of "kain berdagang luar", the sarong is held at waist level. This sarong also becomes a "kain kelubung" (a head-dress) when worn over the head covering down to the chest.

Normally for the kampung (village) women, the kain berdagang luar is used as a head-cover to shade from the hot sun, or used as a shawl, and sometimes it is tied at the waist like a "samping" (or "sampin").

The sarong normally used for the kain berdagang luar is usually made of kain gerus, kain telepok, kain songket or kain corak Muar (Muar patterned sarong).

In the old days, the Baju Kurung Teluk Belanga used to be made of velvet matched with songket. And just like the male Baju Melayu the dress is sewn with pieces of gold and jewelries. These attires are usually custom-made specially for traditional Malay weddings.

Normally the sarong for the Baju Kurung Teluk Belanga is tied with the "tali kendit" (string), but nowadays the modern zip and buttons are used.

When putting on the sarong, if the fabric or cloth pattern has a "kepala" (or head), then this head portion of the sarong is worn at the back (just like the manner of wearing a sampin and sarong by the male Malay).

Ancient Pagodas of Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)

Sep 24, 2009

A funerary monument and then acquired cosmic symbolism of Buddha hood containing Buddha associated relics. Also some monuments were built to honor a notable person, or even bring lasting remembrance to an important family. It is a bell-shaped brick structure set on a square or octagonal base, and usually rises to a gently tapering peak gilded metal and jeweled finial topped with a sacred parasol-shaped decoration called "hti".

Bupaya

Type of monument : Type I Temple (Bibulous dome)
Location : On the eastern bank of Ayeyarwaddy River
Region : Old Bagan
Built by : King Pyusawhti
Date : A.D 162

Bupaya means the "a gourd shape pagoda". The legend says, the third king of Bagan, Pyusawhti (AD 162-243), got rid of the gourd-like climbing plant "bu" that infested the riverbanks, before becoming the king. He was rewarded by his predecessor, Thamuddarit, the founder of Bagan (AD 108) together with the hand of his daughter and the heir to the throne of Bagan. He then in the commemoration of his good luck built a gourd-shaped pagoda on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. This cylindrical Pyu-style stupa is said to be the oldest in Bagan. Bupaya was completely destroyed when it tumbled into the river in the 1975 earthquake, but has since been totally rebuilt. The distinctively shaped bulbous stupa stands above rows of crenellated terraces. The view from the river is also a breath-taking one.

Dayak People

Sep 23, 2009

The Dayak or Dyak are the peoples indigenous to Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups, located principally in the interior of Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily identifiable. Dayaks are categorised as part of wider Austronesian-speaking populations in Asia. The Dayak were animist in belief; however many converted to Christianity, and some to Islam more recently. Estimates for the Dayak population range from 2 to 4 million.


History of the Dayak People
Common interpretations in modern anthropology agree that nearly all indigenous peoples of South East Asia, including the Dayaks, are descendants of a larger more common Austronesian migration from Asia, regarded to have settled in the South East Asian Archipelago some 3,000 years ago. The first populations spoke various languages and dialects now termed under the collective Austronesian Lingua, from which Dayak languages are traced. About 2,450 years ago, metallurgy was introduced and subsequently became widespread.

The main ethnic groups of Dayaks are the Bakumpai and Dayak Bukit of South Kalimantan, The Ngajus, Baritos, Benuaqs of East Kalimantan, the Kayan and Kenyah groups and their subtribes in Central Borneo and the Ibans, Embaloh (Maloh), Kayan, Kenyah, Penan, Kelabit, Lun Bawang and Taman populations in the Kapuas and Sarawak regions. Other populations include the Ahe, Jagoi, Selakau, Bidayuh, and Kutais.

The Dayak people of Borneo possess an indigenous account of their history, partly in writing and partly in common cultural customary practices. In addition, colonial accounts and reports of Dayak activity in Borneo detail carefully cultivated economic and political relationships with other communities as well as an ample body of research and study considering historical Dayak migrations. In particular, the Iban or the Sea Dayak exploits in the South China Seas are documented, owing to their ferocity and aggressive culture of war against sea dwelling groups and emerging Western trade interests in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Coastal populations in Borneo are largely Muslim in belief, however these groups (Ilanun, Melanau, Kadayan, Bakumpai, Bisayah) are generally considered to be Islamized Dayaks, native to Borneo, and governed by the relatively high cultural influences of the Javanese Majapahit Kingdoms and Islamic Malay Sultanates, periodically covering South East Asian history.

Agricultural
Traditionally, Dayak agriculture was based on swidden rice cultivation. Agricultural Land in this sense was used and defined primarily in terms of hill rice farming, ladang (garden), and hutan (forest). Dayaks organised their labour in terms of traditionally based land holding groups which determined who owned rights to land and how it was to be used. The "green revolution" in the 1950s, spurred on the planting of new varieties of wetland rice amongst Dayak tribes.

The main dependence on subsistence and mid-scale agriculture by the Dayak has made this group active in this industry. The modern day rise in large scale monocrop plantations such as palm oil and bananas proposed for vast swathes of Dayak land held under customary rights, titles and claims in Indonesia, threaten the local political landscape in various regions in Borneo. Further problems continue to arise in part due to the shaping of the modern Malaysian and Indonesian nation state on colonial political systems and laws on land tenure. The conflict between the state and the Dayak natives on land laws and native customary rights will continue as long as the model on land tenure is used against local customary law. The main precept of land use, interpreted by local customary law, is the precept that cultivated land is considered to be owned and held in right by the native owners, and the concept of land ownershipflows out of this central belief. This understanding of adat is based on the idea that land is used and held under native domain. Invariably, when colonial rule was first felt in the Kalimantan Kingdoms, conflict over the subjugation of territory erupted several times between the Dayaks and the respective authorities.

Religion
The Dayak indigenous religion is Kaharingan, a form of animism which, for official purposes, is categorized as a form of Hinduism in Indonesia. The practice of Kaharingan differs from group to group, and for example in some religious customary practices, when a noble (kamang) dies, it is believed that the spirit ascends to a mountain where the spirits of past ancestors of the tribe reside.[5] On particular religious occasions, the spirit is believed to descend to partake in celebration, a mark of honour and respect to past ancestries and blessings for a prosperous future.

Over the last two centuries, some Dayaks converted to Islam, abandoning certain cultural rites and practices. Christianity was introduced by European missionaries in Borneo and may have been a deliberate policy by the colonial authorities to create a social bulwark against the spread of Islam.[citation needed] Religious differences between Muslim and Christian natives of Borneo has led, at various times, to communal tensions.[citation needed] Relations, however in all religious groups are generally good.

Muslim Dayaks have however retained their original identity and kept various customary practices consistent with their religion.[citation needed] An example of common identity, over and above religious belief, is the Melanau group. Despite the small population, to the casual observer, the coastal dwelling Melanau of Sarawak, generally do not identify with one religion, as a number of them have Islamized and Christianised over a period of time. A few practise a distinct Dayak form of Kaharingan, known as Liko. Liko is the earliest surviving form of religious belief for the Melanau, predating the arrival of Islam and Christianity to Sarawak. The somewhat patchy religious divisions remain, however the common identity of the Melanau is held politically and socially. Social cohesion amongst the Melanau, despite religious differences, is markedly tight.[citation needed]

Despite the destruction of pagan religions in Europe by Christians, most of the people who try to conserve the Dayak's religion are missionaries. For example Reverend William Howell who has contributed to the Sarawak National Gazette. His contributions were also compiled in the book The Sea Dayaks and Other Races of Sarawak.

Society
Kinship in Dayak society is traced in both lines. Although, in Dayak Iban society, men and women possess equal rights in status and property ownership, political office has strictly been the occupation of the traditional Iban Patriarch. Overall Dayak leadership in any given region, is marked by titles, a Penghulu for instance would have invested authority on behalf of a network of Tuai Rumah's, and so on to a Temenggung or Panglima. It must be noted that individual Dayak groups have their social and hierarchy systems defined internally, and these differ widely from Ibans to Ngajus and Benuaqs to Kayans.

The most salient feature of Dayak social organisation is the practice of Longhouse domicile. This is a structure supported by hardwood posts that can be hundreds of metres long, usually located along a terraced river bank. At one side is a long communal platform, from which the individual households can be reached. The Iban of the Kapuas and Sarawak have organized their Longhouse settlements in response to their migratory patterns. Iban Longhouses vary in size, from those slightly over 100 metres in length to large settlements over 500 metres in length. Longhouses have a door and apartment for every family living in the longhouse. For example, a Longhouse of 200 doors is equivalent to a settlement of 200 families.

Headhunting was an important part of Dayak culture, in particular to the Iban and Kenyah. There used to be a tradition of retaliation for old headhunts, which kept the practise alive. External interference by the reign of the Brooke Rajahs in Sarawak and the Dutch in Kalimantan Borneo curtailed and limited this tradition. Apart from massed raids, the practice of headhunting was limited to individual retaliation attacks or the result of chance encounters. Early Brooke Government reports describe Dayak Iban and Kenyah War parties with captured enemy heads. At various times, there have been massive coordinated raids in the interior, and throughout coastal Borneo, directed by the Raj during Brooke's reign in Sarawak. This may have given rise to the term, Sea Dayak, although, throughout the 19th Century, Sarawak Government raids and independent expeditions appeared to have been carried out as far as Brunei, Mindanao, East coast Malaya, Jawa and Celebes. Tandem diplomatic relations between the Sarawak Government (Brooke Rajah) and Britain (East India Company and the Royal Navy) acted as a pivot and a deterrence to the former's territorial ambitions, against the Dutch administration in the Kalimantan regions and client Sultanates.

Metal-working is elaborately used for making mandaus (machetes - 'parang' in Indonesian ). The blade is made of a softer iron, to prevent breakage, with a narrow strip of a harder iron wedged into a slot in the cutting edge for sharpness. The headhunting necessitated being able to draw the parang quickly. For this purpose, the mandau is fairly short, which also better serves the purpose of trailcutting in dense forest. It is holstered with the cutting edge facing upwards and at that side there is an upward protrusion on the handle, so it can be drawn very quickly with the side of the hand without having to reach over and grasp the handle first. The hand can then grasp the handle while it is being drawn. The combination of these three factors (short, cutting edge up and protrusion) makes for an extremely fast drawing-action. The ceremonial mandaus used for dances are as beautifully adorned with feathers as the dresses are. There are various terms to describe different types of Dayak blades. The Nyabor is the traditional Iban Scimitar, Parang Ilang is common to Kayan and Kenyah Swordsmiths, and Duku is a multipurpose farm tool and machete of sorts.

Politics
Dayaks in Indonesia and Malaysia have figured prominently in the politics of these countries. Organised Dayak political representation in the Indonesian State first appeared in Kalimantan during the Dutch Administration, in the form of the Dayak Unity Party (Parti Persatuan Dayak) in the 30s and 40s. Feudal Dayak Sultanates of Kutai, Banjar and Pontianak figured prominently prior to the rise of the Dutch Colonial rule.

Dayaks in Sarawak in this respect, compare very poorly with their organised brethren in Kalimantan due to in no part, the personal fiefdom that was the Brooke Rajah dominion and latently the pattern of their historical migrations from the Kalimantan Regions to the then pristine Rajang Basin. Political circumtances aside, the Dayaks in Kalimantan actively organised under various associations beginning with the Sarekat Dayak established in 1919, to the Parti Dayak in the 40s, and to the present day, where Dayaks occupy key positions in government.

In Sarawak, Dayak political activism had its roots in the SNAP (Sarawak National Party) and Pesaka during post independence construction in the 1960s. These parties shaped to a certain extent Dayak politics in the State, although never enjoying the real privileges and benefits of Chief Ministerial power relative to its large electorate.

Under Indonesia's transmigration programme, settlers from densely-populated Java and Madura were encouraged to settle in the Kalimantan provinces, but their presence was, and still is, resented by Dayaks, Banjars and local Malays . The large scale transmigration projects initiated by the Dutch and continued by the current national government, caused widespread breakdown in social and community cohesion during the late 20th Century. In 2001 the Indonesian government ended the gradual Javanese settlement of Kalimantan that began under Dutch rule in 1905.

From 1996 to 2003 there were systemic and violent attacks on Indonesian Madurese settlers, including mass executions of whole Madurese transmigrant communities. The violence culminated in the Sampit conflict in 2001 which saw more than 500 deaths in that year alone. Eventually, order was restored by the Indonesian Military but this was late in application.

Cakalele Dance in Haruku Island, Central Maluku District


Cakalele dance is a traditional dance from Maluku Province that is performed by 30 people either male or female. Male dancers wear war clothes dominated by red and yellow color. Not only that, they also hold parang (swords) on the right hand and salawaku (shields) on
the left hand and don aluminium hats decorated with slipped feather on it.

Female dancers wear white dresses while holding handkerchiefs – in local language called lenso. During the performance, they play in groups consisting of two dancers while keeping dancing followed by the music of tifa (percussion), flute, and bia (flute made of big sea
shell).

Tari Kebesaran, another name of Cakalele Dance is commonly performed to welcome honoured guests such as religious scholars, and government officials visiting Maluku. Tari Kebesaran means the pride dance.

Distinctive Features

Some of the distinctive features of the dance are the clothes, the swords, and the shield (salawaku). Each of them has its meaning such as red clothes symbolizing heroism, bravery and patriotism of Maluku people. Likewise, the swords symbolize the dignity of Maluku people that must be kept. The last one is the shield (salawaku), the symbol of protest againsts injustice government.

Location


Cakalele Dance can be watched in Haruku Island, Central Maluku District, Maluku Province, Indonesia.

Access


Accessing the island from Ambon City, you can take public transportation passing by Tulehu with IDR 7500 for its cost. Then the trip must be continued by taking speedboat wading across Tulehu Strait to Haruku Island for about 30 minutes with IDR 30000 per person for
its cost.

Accommodation and other Facilities

Around the location, in Haruku Island, you can surely find some hotels or guesthouses and food stalls offering local cuisine of Central Maluku District.

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

Sep 22, 2009


The Indian Shrines of Batu caves, near Kuala lumpur.

Batu Caves is a limestone hill to the north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia which has a series of caves and cave temples. It takes its name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows past the hill. Batu Caves is also the name of the nearby village.

The 'Orang Asli' (local aboriginal tribes called Jakun) had been aware of the caves for a long time. However, they became famous only after it was discovered by the American Naturalist, William Hornaday in 1878. Of the various cave temples that comprise the site, the largest and best known is the Temple or Cathedral Cave, so named because it houses several Hindu shrines beneath its 100 m vaulted ceiling. These serve as the focus of the Hindu community's yearly Thaipusam festival. There are 272 steps that a visitor has to climb in order to access the temple at the summit of the hill, The climb is very difficult in the sweltering heat -- and to keep you company are the macaque monkey which GRAB anything out of your hand and can be aggressive if they do not get their banana or choc bar --- these animals cannot be hurt as they belong to the priests on the lower Indian temple who supply food to the altar in the open altar of which the monkeys take as their own. With me climbing the steps was an Indian couple with their little boy, we entered the massive cavern and the couple and child went to an Indian altar where an Indian priest bare chested with long long hair and a large moustachio spoke to the parent of the child who prayed to the God and present gifts and the priest took the child who was crying with fear of this old man, Who in turn smiled said some prayer's and put a mark of paint on the child's forehead, and blessed the child.

Barong Tagalog



A Barong Tagalog (or simply Barong) is an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines. It is very lightweight and worn untucked, similar to a coat. It is the common wedding and formal attire for Filipino men. The term "Barong Tagalog" literally means "Tagalog dress" (i.e., baro ng Tagalog or dress of the Tagalog) in the Tagalog language.

The barong was popularized as formal wear by Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, who wore it to most official and personal affairs, including his inaugeration as president. The barong was officially made the national costume by a decree from President Ferdinand Marcos in 1975.

Barong Tagalog - Origin

This Filipino tradition dates back to the Spanish Colonial era. The most common theory about its origins is that the Spaniards made Filipinos wear barongs untucked to distinguish them from the ruling class. Also, barongs had to be made of thin fabric so that the Spaniards could assure that the wearer was not bearing a weapon under the garment.

However, this theory has been questioned by other scholars and historians. They note the absence of a citation to the specific law where the Spaniards supposedly prohibited the natives from tucking in their shirts. Secondly, they note that natives during the Spanish Era did wear their shirts tucked in at times. A common example cited in support of this argument is Jose Rizal and his contemporaries, who were photographed in Western clothing with their shirts tucked in. Thirdly, the Philippines has a tropical climate and it is common for shirts not to be tucked in because of the heat. Finally, the barong is thought to be an adaptation of a shirt that was worn during the Spanish era throughout the Spanish empire. Scholars who subscribe to the last theory note that the barong bears many similarities to the guayabera, a shirt popular in the Latin American communities.

Barong Tagalog - Type of Cloth used

Most barong are made of pina cloth (from pineapple) or jusi from abaca. Jusi is cheaper and much stronger than the pina one but the pina one is more delicate.

he term "Barong Tagalog" is used almost exclusively to refer to the formal version of the barong; however, less formal variations of this national costume also exist.
  • Polo barong refers to a short-sleeved version of the barong, often made with linen, ramie or cotton. This is the least formal version of the barong, often used as office wear (akin to the suit and tie).
  • "Gusot-Mayaman" ("gusot" means "wrinkled" and "mayaman" means "wealthy") and Linen barongs are barongs that are not constructed with pina, jusi, or similarly delicate fabrics are generally considered less formal than the barong Tagalog. Both "gusot-mayaman" and linen barongs are used for everyday office wear.
  • Shirt-jack barong are cut in shirt-jack style usually in poly-cotton, linen-cotton and gusot-mayaman fabrics. Popularized by politicians and government officials and worn during campaigns or out-in-the-field assignments. This barong style gives the wearer a more casual look yet lends a more dressed-up appearance from the usual street worn casual wear.

Mingalabar from the Golden Land!

Sep 20, 2009

Greetings from the Ancient City of Bagan, Myanmar ( Burma )

Bagan (Pagan) with over 2000 Pagodas and Temples in upper Myanmar and you can visit Bagan all year round as there is no actual rainy Season like in the lower parts of Myanmar, therefore we called it Sommer Season.

Daily flights from Yangon to Bagan and from Chiang May via Mandalay also a direct flight from Seam Rap (Cambodia) by Air Bagan.

Bagan (Pagan) has a variety of Hotels, and offers from economical Rooms to 4* Hotels with all the comfort you expect, and with a wide culinary variety which includes Western, Asian, Chinese and the traditional Myanmar cuisine.

Bagan (Pagan) with their Pagodas and Temples dating back more than 1500 years of history is the most fascinating place for visitors and you arrange your sightseeing Tour by Car, Horse Cart or on your own on a Bicycle. Also you can have a idyllic Sunset Boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River to observe the beautiful Sunset over Bagan while enjoying a cold Drink.

Bagan (Pagan) is also a great place for beautiful local Art, such as Lacquer ware, Bamboo works and beautiful local made Cloth.

Other attraction is a day trip to Mount Popa, 50 Km from Bagan to view the Monastery built on top of a Mountain, 1518 mt.( 4981feet ) which you can visit, you only have to climb 777 steps to the top. Come to Bagan and be enchanted by the beauty of the ancient City.

Bagan is notable for its expanse of sacred geography, the number and size of their individual ancient monuments. The ruins of Bagan cover an area of 16 square miles. The majority of its buildings were built in the 11th to 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the Myanmar dynasty. Bagan is also the first place to have transformed into a religious and cultural centre, by Shin Arahan who brought Theravada Buddhism to this land. Bagan is full of ancient architectural designs, mural paintings, precious frescoes and stone inscriptions to see for yourself, and also it is the centre for the manufacturing of lacquerware products in Myanmar. Hence it is marked as a cultural heritage of the Myanmar People, and also a landmark full of ancient pagodas and monuments which can be rarely encountered today. Bagan is one of the major historical landmarks of Asia and represents the outstanding achievement of Theravada Buddhism. Most of the site were damaged by the 1975 earthquake and cooperation with UNESCO projects help some experimental conservation work, restoration of mural paintings and maintaining some of the rare monuments.


Lion Dance in Singapore

Sep 18, 2009


The Lion Dance is a skilled combination of two dancers under the wraps! They remain anonymous hidden under the powerful skin of a lion!!The Lion Dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic the lion's movements in a lion costume. It is the traditional dance of Singapore, which is recognized today as one of the world's modern metros with its huge shopping malls, busy harbors and tall skylines. Few know that the word Singapore or Singapuram literally means `Lion City’. As a city whose name is derived from the king of the jungle, its traditional dance form should also reflect some of the qualities of the animal it admires most.

The lion is obviously a large animal and it takes two dancers to fit into the costume. While the audience watch the lion energetically moving and shaking its head, opening its huge jaws and staring with bulging eyes, there are two dancers tucked inside the costume, one forming the back legs and the other the fore legs of the animal. This needs perfect synchronicity and rhythm. To complicate matters, the team sometimes moves between platforms of varying elevations. The sound of gongs, drums and firecrackers sets the pace for the dancers and makes the heart beat faster.

There are a number of Chinese Lion Dance styles but the two most popular Chinese lion dance styles are the northern and southern Lion Dance. The northern lion is usually red, orange, and yellow in color (sometimes with green fur for the female lion), is shaggy in appearance, with a golden head. The northern dance is very acrobatic and is mainly performed as entertainment. The southern lion dance is more symbolic in nature. It is usually performed as a ceremony to exorcise evil spirits and to summon luck and fortune. The southern lion exhibits a wide variety of color and has a distinctive head with large eyes, a mirror on the forehead, and a single horn at center of the head.

Singapore

Sep 17, 2009

Precolonial Era

Located astride the sea routes between China and India, from ancient times the Malay Archipelago served as an entrepôt, supply point, and rendezvous for the sea traders of the kingdoms and empires of the Asian mainland and the Indian subcontinent. The trade winds of the South China Sea brought Chinese junks laden with silks, damasks, porcelain, pottery, and iron to seaports that flourished on the Malay Peninsula and the islands of Sumatra and Java. There they met with Indian and Arab ships, brought by the monsoons of the Indian Ocean, carrying cotton textiles, Venetian glass, incense, and metalware. Fleets of swift prahu (interisland craft) supplied fish, fruit, and rice from Java and pepper and spices from the Moluccas in the eastern part of the archipelago. All who came brought not only their trade goods but also their cultures, languages, religions, and technologies for exchange in the bazaars of this great crossroads.

In time, the ports of the peninsula and archipelago formed the nucleus of a succession of seabased kingdoms, empires, and sultanates. By the late seventh century, the great maritime Srivijaya Empire, with its capital at Palembang in eastern Sumatra, had extended its rule over much of the peninsula and archipelago. Historians believe that the island of Singapore was probably the site of a minor port of Srivijaya.

Temasek and Singapura

Although legendary accounts shroud Singapore's earliest history, chroniclers as far back as the second century alluded to towns or cities that may have been situated at that favored location. Some of the earliest records of this region are the reports of Chinese officials who served as envoys to the seaports and empires of the Nanyang (southern ocean), the Chinese term for Southeast Asia. The earliest first-hand account of Singapore appears in a geographical handbook written by the Chinese traveler Wang Dayuan in 1349. Wang noted that Singapore Island, which he called Tan-ma-hsi (Danmaxi), was a haven for several hundred boatloads of pirates who preyed on passing ships. He also described a settlement of Malay and Chinese living on a terraced hill known in Malay legend as Bukit Larangan (Forbidden Hill), the reported burial place of ancient kings. The fourteenth-century Javanese chronicle, the Nagarakertagama, also noted a settlement on Singapore Island, calling it Temasek.

A Malay seventeenth-century chronicle, the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals), recounts the founding of a great trading city on the island in 1299 by a ruler from Palembang, Sri Tri Buana, who named the city Singapura ("lion city") after sighting a strange beast that he took to be a lion. The prosperous Singapura, according to the Annals, in the mid-fourteenth century suffered raids by the expanding Javanese Majapahit Empire to the south and the emerging Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya to the north, both at various times claiming the island as a vassal state.

The Annals, as well as contemporaneous Portuguese accounts, note the arrival around 1388 of King Paramesvara from Palembang, who was fleeing Majapahit control. Although granted asylum by the ruler of Singapura, the king murdered his host and seized power. Within a few years, however, Majapahit or Thai forces again drove out Paramesvara, who fled northward to found eventually the great seaport and kingdom of Malacca. In 1414 Paramesvara converted to Islam and established the Malacca Sultanate, which in time controlled most of the Malay Peninsula, eastern Sumatra, and the islands between, including Singapura. Fighting ships for the sultanate were supplied by a senior Malaccan official based at Singapura. The city of Malacca served not only as the major seaport of the region in the fifteenth century, but also as the focal point for the dissemination of Islam throughout insular Southeast Asia.

Johore Sultanate

When the Portuguese captured Malacca in 1511, the reigning Malaccan sultan fled to Johore in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, where he established a new sultanate. Singapura became part of the new Johore Sultanate and was the base for one of its senior officials in the latter sixteenth century. In 1613, however, the Portuguese reported burning down a trading outpost at the mouth of the Temasek (Singapore) River, and Singapura passed into history.

In the following two centuries, the island of Temasek was largely abandoned and forgotten as the fortunes of the Johore Sultanate rose and fell. By 1722 a vigorous seafaring people from the island of Celebes (modern Sulawesi, Indonesia) had become the power behind the throne of the Johore Sultanate. Under Bugis influence, the sultanate built up a lucrative entrepôt trade, centered at Riau, south of Singapore, in present-day Sumatra. Riau also was the site of major plantations of pepper and gambier, a medicinal plant used in tanning. The Bugis used waste material from the gambier refining process to fertilize pepper plants, a valuable crop, but one that quickly depletes soil nutrients. By 1784 an estimated 10,000 Chinese laborers had been brought from southern China to work the gambier plantations on Bintan Island in the Riau archipelago (now part of Indonesia). In the early nineteenth century, gambier was in great demand in Java, Siam, and elsewhere, and cultivation of the crop had spread from Riau to the island of Singapore.

The territory controlled by the Johore Sultanate in the late eighteenth century was somewhat reduced from that under its precursor, the Malacca Sultanate, but still included the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, the adjacent area of Sumatra, and the islands between, including Singapore. The sultanate had become increasingly weakened by division into a Malay faction, which controlled the peninsula and Singapore, and a Bugis faction, which controlled the Riau Archipelago and Sumatra. When the ruling sultan died without a royal heir, the Bugis had proclaimed as sultan the younger of his two sons by a commoner wife. The sultan's elder son, Hussein (or Tengku Long) resigned himself to living in obscurity in Riau.

Although the sultan was the nominal ruler of his domain, senior officials actually governed the sultanate. In control of Singapore and the neighboring islands was Temenggong Abdu'r Rahman, Hussein's father-in-law. In 1818 the temenggong (a high Malay official) and some of his followers left Riau for Singapore shortly after the Dutch signed a treaty with the Bugis-controlled sultan, allowing them to station a garrison at Riau. The temenggong's settlement on the Singapore River included several hundred orang laut (sea gypsies in Malay) under Malay overlords who owed allegiance to the temenggong. For their livelihood the inhabitants depended on fishing, fruit growing, trading, and occasional piracy. Large pirate fleets also used the strait between Singapore and the Riau Archipelago as a favorite rendezvous. Also living on the island in settlements along the rivers and creeks were several hundred indigenous tribespeople, who lived by fishing and gathering jungle produce. Some thirty Chinese, probably brought from Riau by the temenggong, had begun gambier and pepper production on the island. In all, perhaps a thousand people inhabited the island of Singapore at the dawn of the colonial era.

Red dot design museum


The second red dot design museum was established in Singapore in November 2005. The museum is the anchor tenant and key attraction at the red dot traffic, a creative hub located at Maxwell Road, the former Singapore traffic Police Headquarters.

Like Design Zentrum, the red dot design museum in Singapore is the physical embodiment of the red dot design awards, an exclusive exhibition venue for red dot design award winners. It is here that products and brands communicate their design excellence and differentiate themselves from the mediocre. It also provides important orientation to businesses, design professionals consumers on what or who has the best design.

Brunei’s majestic royal heritage


A glittering example of Brunei’s majestic royal heritage, Istana Nurul Iman is the Sultan’s lavish home in the capital and is the largest residential palace in the world. Situated on the top of a hill overlooking the city, the palace is an enigmatic symbol of Brunei’s enduring monarchy and seat of the nation's government.


Nearby, the Mausoleum of Sultan Bolkiah pays tribute to one of Brunei’s greatest Sultans, who reigned at the height of Brunei’s sovereignty in the region. It is a peaceful area in a quiet alcove of greenery and exudes the deep respect of the Bruneian people for their rich heritage.


The capital also houses a number of royal museums highlighting the nation’s 600-year old monarchy and century-spanning history. Perhaps the most well-known is the Royal Regalia Museum, where visitors can glimpse the Sultan’s full royal regalia, including the crown and royal chariot, along with a vast collection of opulent treasures. A visit to the Brunei Museum is also a must, with its elaborate displays of antique cannons and intricate daggers, a large private collection of gilded Holy Korans, Borneo ethnographic displays and treasures unearthed from shipwrecks off Brunei’s coasts. Meanwhile, the Brunei History Centre contains genealogical records detailing the origins of the Royal Family and other historical documents significant to the nation.

Though Brunei has embraced Islam and its art, architecture and culture, relics of the colonial days are also integrated seamlessly into the nation’s landscape. The unique House of Twelve Roofs is a good example. This quaint piece of British architecture, once home to the British Resident, has since been transformed into a museum and venue for entertaining foreign dignitaries.

Borobudur Temple Compounds

Borobudur was built on a small hill in the Kedu Basin, a rich, fertile valley surrounded by spectacular volcanoes. To the east lie Merapi and Merbabu and to the north lies Sumbing and Sindoro. The unusual jagged Menoreh Hills encircle the temple to the South and West. The temple is also located near the meeting place of two rivers, the Elo and the Progo. These rivers are believed to be symbolic of the Gangga and Yamuna, the two rivers feeding the Indus valley in India. The location was most likely chosen for its central location and expansive views.

Borobudur lies directly south of Tidar Hill, a small knob on the valley floor which according to myth nailed the island of Java in place. We get a sense of the grandness of the landscape when we rise to the final terrace of the monument which opens up into a 360 degree view of the magnificent valley. This feeling of freedom and openness evokes the sense of spiritual release that occurs in Buddhist philosophy when one enters the Arupadhatu, the sphere of enlightenment which is manifested on the final terrace of the monument.

This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s.

About Tari Pendet

Unlike another performing dance that require intensive training, Tari Pendet could be danced by everybody, man and woman, children and adult people. This dance is taught simply by following the move from the leader usually is an elder or senior woman.

Tari Pendet is performed in groups or pairs. This dance is used to play after the Tari Rejang in a Pura's (Hindu Temple in Bali) yard and generally facing the direction of the sacred (Pelinggih) with ceremonial dress and each dancer brings sangku (Balinese traditional religious equipment), jars, bowls and another equipment of offerings.

Another varian of Tari Pendet is Tari Baris Pendet. If Tari Pendet usually performed by woman dancer, the Tari Baris Pendet is performed by man dancer that dances while carrying offerings (gifts to the gods). Tari Pendet is not just a traditional dance but more than that it is a Balinese life style. It's a part of Balinese cultural and religious life.

Balinese people used to learn Tari Pendet since young and wherever they are in the world, they could dance the Tari Pendet.

Ethnic Bisaya handicraft

The seven indigenous group of Brunei as stated in the Brunei
Constitution 1959 of which consists of :
Brunei Malays, Tutongs, Belait, Kedayans, Murut,Dusuns, Bisaya

THE ethnic Bisaya community in Kampong Bebuloh is the one and only ethnic group that remains proactive in the production of handicraft items.
The community favours different types of plants as the raw material for their handicraft and they are well known for being experts in making `Tikar’, `Takiding’, `Nyiru’, `Bubu’ and many other household items. The plants used are mainly `Daun Mengkuang’, `Bamban’, `Rotan’ , `Buluh’ and others.

Due to popular demand, the village head in collaboration with the Kg Bebuloh Consultative Council has agreed to organise the workshop every weekend.

Led by Awg Manang bin Silai and supported by a few other members, the workshop is located at the reconstructed building area of Kg Bebuloh.
The main purpose of the workshop is to maintain the identity of the ethnic Bisaya in the Brunei Darussalam Constitution.

Both the women and their elders have joined together to teach the younger generation the skills and techniques of making these handicrafts, in order to prevent these skills from being lost and forgotten by the future generation.

Their wish is to first have the support from certain agencies to promote their activities as a source of income for the village, and perhaps one day act as a source of income for the country itself and to line up the activity along with the rice and tourism industry – which the ethnic Bisaya community are also active in.

Other than the handicraft workshop, the Bisaya have also formed a cultural traditional organisation in the form of Gendang’ and Tarian’, as well as musical instruments such as `Biola’. These are items which are frequently used during weddings and formal visits by VIP’s.

Finally, to maintain the identity of the ethnic group, this activity is also hoped to attract their younger generations to join together and take an interest in producing the different types of handicraft items, which used to be made by their proud ancestors, and showcase them to the public and to foreign visitors.

Bruneian - culture name



Identification. Brunei Darussalam is a multiethnic society in which one ethnic group, the Barunay, has a monopoly of political power. Variations in tradition among other ethnic groups are not regional but cultural, social, and linguistic. Indigenous Muslims usually are referred to as Brunei Malays even if they are not native speakers of the Malay language.

Speculations about the etymology include derivations from the Malay (baru nah ("there!"), a Sanskrit form, and the Kelabit name for the Limbang River.

Location and Geography. The original home of Brunei culture is the area around the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Settlements of Barunay and Kadayan also are found along the coasts of northern Sarawak and southwestern Sabah in Malaysia; Tutong and Belait settlements are found exclusively in Brunei. Bisaya, Iban, and Penan people also live in Sarawak and Dusun and Murut people in both Sarawak and Sabah.

Brunei Darussalam is 2,226 square miles (5,763 square kilometers), with a coastline of about 100 miles (161 kilometers) on the South China Sea coast of northwestern Borneo and along the western shores of the southernmost portion of Brunei Bay. Brunei is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The climate is equatorial with high temperatures, high humidity, and heavy rainfall, although there is no distinct wet season. The country is divided into three contiguous administrative districts—Brunei-Muara, Tutong, and Belait—with a fourth, Temburong, separated by the Limbang Valley of Sarawak. The names of the districts derive from their main rivers.

Approximately 75 percent of the country is forested, although the exportation of whole logs has been banned. The country is covered with a wide range of mangrove, heath, peat swamp, mixed dipterocarp, and montane forests. There are numerous rivers, whose broad valleys contain most of the country's settlements. The southern portion of Temburong is mountainous and sparsely populated.

Demography. The 1998 population estimate was 323,600. Malays constitute about 67 percent of the total; Chinese, 15 percent; other indigenous peoples (Iban, Dayak, and Kelabit, all mainly from Sarawak), 6 percent, and others, 12 percent. In the late 1980s, 24,500 immigrants worked primarily in the petroleum industry. The population has increased more than twelve-fold since the first decade of the twentieth century. The distribution of population is Brunei-Muara, 66 percent; Belait, 20 percent; Tutong, 11 percent; and Temburong, 3 percent.

Linguistic Affiliation. Malay is the official language, but English is widely used in commerce. The Brunei dialect of Malay has many unique lexical items and a distinctive syntax. Malay is in the Western Malayo-Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian language family, which also includes the other languages spoken in Brunei. Various Chinese languages, English, and Philippine and mainland south Asian languages are spoken by guest workers. Many individuals are multilingual.

Symbolism. The national flag is a yellow field of two trapeziums with a white diagonal parallelogram stripe above a black diagonal parallelogram stripe, representing the offices of the first vizier (a Muslim official), the Pengiran Bendahara, and the third vizier, the Pengiran Pamancha. These were the only vizier offices occupied in 1906, when the first British resident took up occupancy. The flag is emblazoned in the center by the state crest in red, which was added in 1959. The crest is composed of a flag and royal umbrella; four feathers symbolizing the protection of justice, tranquillity, prosperity, and peace; two hands representing the government's pledge to promote welfare, peace, and prosperity; and a crescent symbolizing Islam and inscribed in Arabic "Always in service with God's guidance"; with a scroll inscribed in Arabic letters, Brunei Darussalam ("Brunei the Abode of Peace").

 
 
 

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