CULTURES OF MALAYSIA

This basic costume has several variations according to the Bidayuh sub-groups. Bidayuh
women, on the other hand, wear a head cover called a “jomuh” and a long skirt. They
also use jewelleries made of shell, copper, silver and other materials.

Bidayuh woman. www.kpkk.gov.my

The Orang Ulu traditional dress on the other hand, makes much use of beads. The
background is usually black or even fiery red and green. At a glance, the beads appear
to be sewn onto the attire but a closer inspection reveals that the costume is applied with
beads using "appliqués" techniques.

Orang Ulu beaded costumes. Source: www.kpkk.gov.my

The designs are ahead of their time by binding and at times by weaving onto a flexible
base. The attire is then fully adorned with the sequins, silver or gold threads, as well as
several fish scale sequins that work as tiny mirrors. The wildly clashing colours often
feature the designs of foliating petals which can be interconnected into a vine-like
patterns and even monkey and dragon motifs.

The attire for both men and women usually has short sleeves or is armless like a
waistcoat. The cutting of these attire is also tricky as it is figure-hugging and comfortable
at the same time.

Melanau attire is unique among Sarawak indigenous costumes in that they are more
covered and there is a preference for black.

Melanau man. Source: www.kpkk.gov.my
There is a little bit of similarity between Melanau and Sarawak Malay
in the use of a “samping”-like decorative waist cloth for men and the
types of jewellery or headdress for women.
Melanau woman. Source: www.kpkk.gov.my

The Lun Bawang costume may seem rather simple, but the scattering of sequins sewn
onto each attire is just as fascinating as the other costumes. The use of round beads to
deck each attire is both functional and fashionable.
One would not have guessed that the simple beads actually act as a guard to protect,
stiffen and add weight to the otherwise light and flimsy attire of the ladies. The men on
the other hand, look ‘super macho’ in their traditional tropical warrior-like clothes that are

traditionally made from the bark trees such as the timbaran tree. The simple headgear
complements the good-looking features of Borneo folk.

The Bisaya people, meanwhile, are decked almost totally in black attire. The black is
highlighted with strong stitch-work that strengthens the attire and decorates it as well.
The Bisaya attire is somewhat similar to the traditional costumes of Sabah’s Dusun,
Kedayan and the Puak Belait of Brunei.

In olden times the attire of the Bisaya was long-sleeved and fastened with a “kubamban”
or silver buttons but as time passed, it was made shorter. A full gold-threaded sarong or
tubular skirt completes each outfit. Full breast-covering jewellery of silver and gold,
plated that is, adorn each dress.

The simple hair-do are tied into a low knot with a hairnet made of sparkling glass beads
and hairpins that perfect the attire.

1.9.8 FOOD

Sarawak has an array of indigenous or locally-inspired foods from the different ethnic
communities. The following are a list of the most famous Sarawak dishes.

“Manok Pansoh” or “Manok Pansuh” is the most common and well-loved dish among
Iban folk. It is a chicken dish which is normally eaten with steamed white rice. Chicken
pieces are cut into small pieces and stuffed into a length of bamboo tube together with
other ingredients such as mushrooms, lemongrass, tapioca leaves etc. The filled tube is
cooked over an open fire - similar to the way the famous Malay lemang is cooked. This
natural way of cooking seals in the flavours and produces astonishingly tender chicken
with a natural ‘gravy’ that is perfumed with lemongrass and bamboo. Because of its
special bamboo cooking, Manok Pansoh cannot be found easily in all restaurants. Some
restaurants require advanced booking of Manok Pansoh dish prior to your arrival.

“Umai” is a raw fish salad popular among various ethnic groups of Sarawak, but
especially famous with the Melanaus. In fact, umai came about as a traditional “working
lunch” for the Melanau fishermen. Umai is fish prepared raw from freshly caught fish,
chilled but not frozen, so that’s why it’s sometimes called “Sarawak Sushi”. Main species
of fish used include Pacific Mackerel, Bawal Hitam and Umpirang. It is made mainly of
thin slivers of raw fish, thinly sliced onions, chilli, salt and the juice of sour fruits like lime
or assam. It is usually accompanied by a bowl of toasted sago pearls instead of rice. Its
simplicity makes it easy for fishermen to prepare it aboard their boats. Umai Jeb, a raw

fish salad without other additional spices, is famous among Bintulu Melanaus. However,
it is a bit more difficult to find in Kuching, but some restaurants, especially Malay or
Bumiputera-owned ones, served umai daily for 'Nasi Campur' or local mixed rice.

“Midin” is a vegetable dish that originates from Sarawak. The locals greatly indulge in
jungle fern such as the midin, which is quite similar to pucuk paku that is popular in the
Peninsula. Midin is much sought after for its crisp texture and great taste. Midin is usually
served in two equally delicious ways - fried with either garlic or belacan. You can try
Midin when you eat 'Nasi Campur' during lunch hours in Sarawak towns.

“Bubur Pedas” also originated from Sarawak. Unlike many other porridge that we know,
Bubur Pedas is cooked with a specially prepared paste. It is quite spicy thanks to its
ingredients, which include spices, turmeric, lemon grass, galangal, chillies, ginger,
coconut and shallots. Like the famous Bubur Lambuk of Kuala Lumpur, Bubur Pedas is
exclusive dish prepared during the month of Ramadan and served during the breaking of
the fast. So it’s not usually available all the time.

“Nasik Aruk” is a traditional Sarawakian Malay fried rice. Unlike Nasi Goreng, Nasik Aruk
does not use any oil to fry the rice. The ingredients are garlic, onion and anchovies, fried
to perfection with very little oil and then the cook will put the rice in. The rice must be
fried for longer time (compared to frying rice for Nasi Goreng) for the smokey/slightly-
burnt taste to absorb into the rice. It is a common to see Nasik Aruk in the food menu list
at Malay and Mamak coffee shops and stalls.

“Linut” or “Ambuyat” originated from Brunei, but is widely consumed in Sarawak where
it’s called Linut or Ambuyat in Sabah. It is a sticky porridge-like type of food, made from
sago flour. It can be eaten raw, or dipped into spicy sambal belacan. Normally, linut or
ambuyat is eaten during high tea or night supper.

“Sarawak Laksa” is the local spin on the ubiquitous noodle dish common throughout
Malaysia. Sarawak's version is sweet and coconutty, and gets a unique tang from heavy
spices (notably sambal belacan, a mix of chili and shrimp paste) plus toppings of prawns,
chicken and egg.

“Mee Kolo” is a simple but popular Sarawakian noodle dish, consisting of dry egg
noodles tossed in oil and served with soup and slices of meat such as beef and
especially roast pork for non-Muslims.

“Kueh Teow Tomato” is a Sarawak variation of the popular fried kueh teow or thin flat
rice noodles, with tomato gravy, meat (usually chicken pieces), vegetables and seafood
(usually prawns). It is particular to Kuching.

Kek lapis Sarawak or Sarawak Layer Cake is an elaborately baked cake with multiple
layers which has a unique and delicious taste.

1.9.9 PERFORMING ARTS

The music, vocal performances and dances among the many ethnic groups in Sarawak
take many forms, ranging from single instruments to love songs to ritual chanting, from
elaborately styled performances to extemporaneous compositions. These vocal music
genres are the main means by which the oral literature of the folk culture Sarawak is
spread and sustained.

Ngajat is a warrior dance of the Iban tribe in Sarawak. It is said that ngajat is performed
by the warriors upon their successful return, to celebrate their victory in battle. Today, the
dance is performed as part of the Gawai Dayak celebrations.

When performing the dance, the male dancers wear a headgear made from the tail
feathers of the hornbill (though nowadays most likely artificial feather may be used, to
save the birds). He holds a long sword in one hand and an ornately decorated shield in
the other. Around his chest are necklaces made of beads and cowrie shells, and he wore
a ceremonial cawat, or loincloth.

The dancer makes slow movements, as though stalking the enemy. This is interspersed
with dramatic prances as though he is leaping forward to attack. The dance is performed
accompanied by the music from tribal musical instruments, usually percussions,
including the enkeromong, bendai, canang and dumbak or ketebong.

There are in fact several types of Ngajat dances, among them: Ngajat Induk, Ngajat
Bebunoh, Ngajat Lesong, Ngajat Semain, Ngajat Berayah, Ngajat “Ngemai antu pala”.
Ngajat Lesong is performed with a heavy mortar which the warrior dancer holds in his
teeth. This dance can be seen performed at the Sarawak Cultural Village. The lesong
can weigh as much as 20 kg.

Datun Julud or Hornbill Dance is a famous traditional dance associated with Sarawak.
The most popular version dance is from the Kenyah tribe from Balungan, Kutai Berau
and Pasir. The dance was traditionally performed to greet returning warriors, as well as

to mark the end of the rice harvest season. It is believed to have been conceived by a
Kenyah prince named Nyik Selung to celebrate happiness and gratitude.

The dance is performed by female dancers. The dancers wear head-dresses of hornbill
feathers. The women hold feather fans also of hornbill feathers, which she moves up and
down gracefully, to depict the hornbill in flight. Some times the dance is performed one
dancer at a time. When the first dancer finishes her dance, another woman takes her
place. Occasionally, up to four women perform the dance together. Nowadays, in
performances for tourists, there is no limit to the number of dancers. Sometimes a male
dancer dressed as a warrior is added to depict the returning warrior. The dance is
accompanied by the melodious music of pluckings of the “sape” or native traditional
guitar.

1.9.10 PASTIMES AND HANDICRAFTS

Sarawak handicrafts come in much varied forms, shapes and textures owning to the rich
tapestry of ethnic cultures within Sarawak.

Be it weaving or printed fabrics, wood carving, bead works, rattan baskets, rattan mats
as well as ceramics and silver works; all these crafts have their own designs unique to
each ethnic group.

Sarawak arts and crafts are uniquely developed based on age-old traditions. They are
inspired by the beauty and bounty of the Sarawak homeland. Indeed Sarawak is
renowned for its rich diversity of traditional handicraft products. These are work of fine art
and crafts by the multi-ethnic indigenous community of Sarawak.

The Iban community are well known for their skill in weaving the Pua Kumbu. In the Iban
Pua series are the Pua Kumbu, Pua Sungkit and the Pua Karap. Among the three, Pua
Sungkit cloths are no longer commercially available in the market due to the tedious
weaving process. In the Iban traditional costume, Pua Karap is the preferred choice for
the skirt due to its refined weaving technique but which is not too tedious. Pua Kumbu is
the most popular and in-demand due its functionality and decorative nature.

The bead works by the Orang Ulu ladies are beautiful and fine crafts. These colourful
beads of different sizes are colourfully fashioned into artistic and fashionable necklaces,
bracelets and even earrings. These beads are also used to decorate headgear,
traditional baby carriers and all kinds of bags and accessories.

Bidayuh crafts are also equally beautiful and artistic. They traditionally use beaten tree
bark, rattan and bamboo to make kesah basketry or tambok and mats for their usage.
The kesah are popular and in demand due to their durable and lasting nature.

Sarawak handicraft products also include ceramics such as vases that are distinctly
designed and even have carved pottery. These beautifully handcrafted potteries are both
decorative and functional earthenware. Visitors can actually watch the pottery-making
process in some of the family-run kilns.

The Melanaus and Malay community are also skillful in producing handicraft products
from the sago palm including sago leaves as well as tree barks and other plants and
materials from nature. These handicraft products are either for daily usage or decorative
items.

The Malay community in Sarawak also produces beautiful Kain Songket using distinctive
weaving techniques that make the pieces uniquely Sarawak style.

Sarawak handicraft products are easily available in handicraft shops, night bazaars,
weekend markets and these days also in shopping malls. One can be overwhelmed and
spoilt for choice as all the handicraft products have unique and distinct designs and
motifs.

REFERENCES / RUJUKAN:

1. Sejarah Malaysia, National Library of Malaysia

2. Muzium Negara Malaysia

3. Muzium Sarawak, Kuching

CONDUCT TOUR COMMENTARY

The key role of a tourist guide is to introduce the products, attractions and activities to the
visitors. Commentary is defined as a skill that gives a series of explanations or description of a
product, people or place. As a tourist guide, it is important to have the ability to conduct a tour
commentary whereby it will add value to the Tourist’s experiences.

To conduct a tour commentary in accordance with tourist guide code of conduct and accuracy
of information, a trainee requires applying three (3) steps. The steps include the practical
application of the following to the tourist(s):

1. Gather the required information on the TOPIC.
2. Prepare a Storyline on the TOPIC.
3. Conduct a Tour Commentary on the TOPIC.

1. Gather information
A successful presentation begins with careful background research. Conducting research is
not a simple task. It requires creativity, initiative, hard work, and time management as it can be
time consuming. Importantly, allocate sufficient time for facts gathering and explore as many
sources as possible, from printed materials such as books, press cuttings, journals to the
electronic material via Internet.

1.1 Identify the task objectives
Before gathering information for a commentary task, make sure one knows what is
required. When you begin your research, keep three or four main points in mind. As
you find material relevant to your commentary, organise it into separate files for each
main point until you have enough to fill out your commentary.

1.2 Select the information
At the beginning of your research, allow yourself enough time to consider thoroughly
the advantages and disadvantages of every source of information you intend to use. Be
realistic about what you hope to find out from each source, and think about how best to
use the information in your speech. Always consult your personal contacts for any
leads; there is nothing more frustrating than spending days in a library only to find that
a friend of a friend is there greatest living expert on your subject.

When one is gathering information, it is important to note the following:
• Use a reading list
• Select the latest information
• Select the most relevant information
• Select by reliability
• Select by amount

A good starting point for research is to review one of the leading books on the subject
of your commentary, and to look at its bibliography. From there you should be able to
find a large amount of relevant references material.

For newspaper or magazine articles, consider using a press cutting agency which for a
fee will supply you regularly with a package of articles on virtually any subject that you
care to name. This will provide you with the free time to explore the many other
sources of information available for example.

1.3 Sources of Information
• Library
oSpecific references
oPrinted Material – Books, Magazines, Journals, Newspaper Articles, Reports,

• Internet – World Wide Web
oGetting connected Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox
o Search Engines such as Googles.com, Yahoo.com, Msn.com
oWikipedia

• Government Agencies (Local, States and National agencies) that regulate and
promote the subject.
Example:
Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Tourism Board, Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysian
Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), National Productivity Corporation
(NPC), Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia (MITI), Akademi
Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Kebangsaan, Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan
Malaysia, Balai Seni Lukis Negara, Department of Wildlife and National Parks
Peninsular Malaysia. (Perhilitan), Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM),
Malaysia Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry,Malaysia (MOA) and
others.

• Non Governmental Organisations
(NGOs) Example:
Badan Warisan, Malayan Nature Society (MNS), World Wide Fund (WWF),
Wetlands International, Malaysian Tourist Guides Councils (MTGC) and others

• Archives – Printed Media (papers, journals, magazines) & Electronic Media
National Archives Address
Arkib Negara Malaysia,
Jalan Duta, 50568 Kuala Lumpur
Website: http://www.arkib.gov.my

2. STORYLINE PREPARATION

Storyline writing is a written assignment intended to describe the subject matter to the
readers so that they get a complete understanding of the subject based on your
description. It is a creative, personal, or simply artistic essay.

Storyline aims at creating a deeply involved and vivid experience for the reader and
listener. It is achieved not through facts and statistics as research paper but using
detailed observations and descriptions.

2.1 Pre writing preparation

As part of the writing preparation, it is important to analyse the audience profile. In the
case of a tourist guide, the audience would be the tourist(s) or group of tourist. To
conduct profile analyse, the documents needed include itinerary and group name list.

To analyse the tourist(s) profile, one is to check the following information:
• Name, Gender and Age
• Country of origin & Nationality
• Cultural background (Religion, Custom, Tradition)
• Tourist Sensitivity (Culturally, Emotionally, Physically and Religiously)
• Purpose of travel (Leisure, business. MICE)
• Tour Itinerary

With the information, one would be able to establish the individual or group profile. The
profile will determine the title and scope of the storyline.

First of all, identify exactly what you want to describe. Often a storyline focuses on
describing people, places/ buildings, objects, events, memory. Describing a person
essay or any other kind of essay means to present a collection of opinions. That is why
you can try to write and describe anything you want as well as you can. When you start
writing a storyline about a place, you should think about your storyline topic and a
place, event or a process you are going to describe.

2.2 Basic Structure of a Storyline

Storyline about a place or describing a person essay which are the most popular
should be brief and informative. The thesis statement you are writing should be in a
form of a question the answer to which you give in the body part of your storyline.

The storyline should consist of three parts namely Introduction, Main Content and
Conclusion.

• Introduction

The introduction should present the general idea of the topic.

• The Main Content



The body describes places, events or people as vividly as possible so that
the reader can easily form a clear picture of the whole story.



Must have at least 4 main points and followed 3 sub points per main point.



Besides the main points, to include examples and references to the
point given so that it will give understanding and generate interest to
know more.

• Conclusion

The conclusion summarise the entire paper, points out the main ideas of
the work.

The conclusion should highlight the moral of story.

The storyline must be neatly handwritten and typewritten. It should consist of a
minimum word count of 300 words. The storyline can be written in essay form (by
paragraph) or point form.

2.3 Tips for writing storyline

• Use abstract and concrete images and ideas;
• Try to use a variety of adverbs and adjectives in your paper. Do not use too

many metaphors and adjectives.
• Focus on 5 senses (sight, smell, sound, touch, smell) to show a vivid

experience to your readers.
• Include all details available to ensure that your reader gain a vivid impression of

your emotion or perspective in a descriptive essay on a person.
• Let each paragraph of your essay focus on one aspect of your description.
• Focus on descriptive details of a situation, activity or a personality (depending

on the type of an essay).

After you wrote an essay, ask if “Did you manage to prove and describe an idea or
image of your storyline? ” If yes, the storyline is good.

3Conduct Coach Commentary

3.1 Adhere to tourist guide dress code
a. Comply with Tourist Guide Dress Code Schedule 4 (TIA 1992)

b. Personal Grooming
• Suitably dressed
• Shoes

c. Personal Hygiene
• Clean nails
• Body Odour
• Oral Hygiene
• Neat Hair Grooming
• Maintain a positive Body Posture

3.2 Set up audio visual system
• Usage and Adjust the PA system (Volume, Echo, Bass, Audibility)
• Basic Troubleshooting (Battery changing, position and distance of the microphone
to speaker)

3.3 Apply tour commentary techniques
a. Pre-commentary Preparation
• Familiarize with the storyline
• Customize the story based on presenter’s needs
• Memorize the story content
• Practising aloud

b. Introduction
• Malaysian Way of Greeting (Malaysian Gesture) to the tourists
• Verbal Greetings such as Selamat Datang/ Good Morning/ Afternoon
• Self Introduction (Name, I’m your Tourist Guide)
• Introduction of Coach Captain
• Describe the purpose of Commentary/Tour

c. Main Content
• Give 4 key points
• 3 sub points per key point.
• Examples to support the key points
• Sequence the points in a flow

d.Conclude commentary
• Achieve the purpose of Commentary/Tour
• Give examples of Tourism Attractions/Products relating to the subject.

3.4 Exercise Communication skills

a. Personality and attitude

• Gestures and Mannerisms
o Polite – Smile, Soft Voice, Complementing Words

• Intelligence
o Ability to understand questions
o Clarity of thoughts
o React sensibly

• Overall Disposition
o Pleasant, Cheerful, cordial, presentable

b. Fluency of delivery
• Confident,
• Positive
• Respect
• Ability to Talk Fluently and Coherently
• Sense of Maturity
• Hesitation
• No fillers/Pause

c. Language skills
• Ability to Organized Ideas/Thought and Present Them
• Correct Pronunciation & Use of Grammar
• Use of Words and Idioms

d. Product knowledge
• Ability to Identify and Describe the Product
• Depth of Knowledge about the Product
• Ability to Analysis the importance of the Product for Malaysia Tourism

e. Ability to generate interest
• Eager or Keen to Share One Knowledge with Others
• Power of thinking & reasoning
• Ability to Use Example
• Application of Wittiness, Good sense & appropriately amusing

f. Tips in sharing jokes or trying to be amusing
• Get to know your tourist first before cracking any joke.
• Choosing the right time and place. Avoid cracking jokes upon arrival
especially after a long journey.
• Avoid making fun of the tourists.
• Avoid reference to gender, religion, race and politics
• Avoid being vulgar

3.5. Handle Questions and Answer Session

A good presentation can be ruined by poor handling of questions raised by the
tourist(s) afterwards. The ability to answer the questions put forth will not only increase
the confidence of presenter. Learn to deal with difficult and awkward questions during
your preparation, and you will handle anything you are asked with confidence.

• Practise answering some impromptu questions put to you by the tourists.
• Remain calm, whatever the tone or intonation of the questioner.

• Try to encourage the questioner who is shy or nervous with encouraging
remarks such as good point.

• Staying in control and confidence
• Divert hostile questions back to the questioner with politeness.
• Practise Active listening skill and Be Sensitive

• Maintain eye contacts, positive facial expression, good body language and firm
posture.

• Maintain polite and good communication skill

• All questions should be handled with respect, courteous, politeness, timely and
accuracy