Cultural Instrument and Artifact

(11 June 2001)

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With it's multi-racial ethnic, Malaysia is blessed with a rich culture, arts and heritage. Some of them are well represented by cultural instruments and artifacts. These instruments differ from one race to another.

Fish Trap 'Bubu', Coconut Grater 'Kukuran', Food Cover 'Tudung Saji', Bird's Cage 'Sangkar Burung', Beetle Nut Leaf Arrangement 'Sireh Junjung', and Ember Container 'Bekas Bara', to name a few, are some examples of such fine pieces of art works that has an artistic and aesthetic values and beautifully handcrafted.

Some of these instruments are and were used in daily life and even in religious activities such as weddings and medicinal rituals. Whilst the Beetle Nut Leaf Arrangement 'Sireh Junjung', for example, is still being widely used by Malaysian today as the main gift that heads' the rest other gifts (Hantaran) in Malay wedding. It is interesting to note that some of these cultural instruments like Ember Container and Quail's Trap for example, which were used before has now become a very important from of artifacts that add to our cultural and visual art heritage.

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