30/12/2025

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Malaysian Paper

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Traditional headgear preserves Orang Asli identity

Keeping customs alive with food

BATU PAHAT: A cook from Kampung Parit Lahak here is making a concerted effort to ensure nasi gaul , a traditional rice dish of the Indonesian Banjar community, does not fade into obscurity. Mohd Ariffin Ibrahim, 60, said he has handed down the family’s generations-old recipe for nasi gaul to his fourth child Nursyahira Hanis, 27, who currently works as a chef in Johor Bahru. He said the move is aimed at ensuring the dish does not become extinct as its relatively complex preparation process has led to it being cooked less frequently, Bernama reported. “Nasi gaul is not easy to prepare and requires great attention to detail, starting with cooking basmati rice using chicken, beef or mutton stock. Various spices are added to the dish and Banjar-style pickles are also prepared as the main accompaniment. “I shared its recipe with my daughter so that others would also come to know about this dish.” Mohd Ariffin said in the past, nasi gaul was a staple dish among the Banjar community and commonly served at feasts and communal events, including weddings, but is now prepared only on special occasions. He said the dish is known as nasi gaul because it is eaten by mixing the rice with Banjar pickles made from sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, chillies and grilled shrimp paste, and is served with boiled chicken or meat and dalca gravy. He also said the dish is now prepared only upon request for feasts or large gatherings as few people today possess the skills to cook the traditional dish. The Banjar community in Malaysia traces its roots to Banjarmasin in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

KUALA LUMPUR: The deft fingers of Linda Angik weaving coconut leaves into a tempok , a traditional headgear of the Orang Asli community, captured the attention of visitors at the Festival Irama Asli and Asal here recently. It took the 50-year-old Temiar woman just 10 minutes to complete the headpiece. Linda uses a simple weaving technique, starting by crossing two leaves to form an X shape. The leaves are then folded into a V shape, inserted into the centre and gradually joined leaf by leaf until a circular band that fits around the head is formed. She said the orderly and repetitive hand movements reflect the precision of the traditional weaving art, which is still being practised within the Orang Asli community, Bernama reported. Having started making tempok at the age of 20, Linda said the accessory can be produced using various natural plants, such as coconut leaves and mengkuang , depending on the suitability of the materials and the desired design. “Each leaf is selected, trimmed and cleaned to ensure the wearer does not experience itchiness. It is easier for us to teach others to make simple tempok designs, while more intricate ones require a higher level of skill.” The Orang Asli headgear, also known as tanjak , carries a o Tempok distinguishes community, reflects diversity: Native Allies Society

Hanim said every member of the Orang Asli community should know the basics of making a tempok, even in its simplest form, as an effort to ensure the heritage continues to be passed down. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

accessory. That is why we must constantly remind ourselves that this is an obligation as it distinguishes us from the outside community,” said the Asli Mak Intan Enterprise founder. Hanim said every member of the Orang Asli community should know the basics of making a tempok , even in its simplest form, as an effort to ensure the heritage continues to be passed down. “We try to teach young people to keep learning these skills, otherwise this art may disappear,” she said, adding that she hopes more youths would be interested in venturing into handicraft entrepreneurship.

as it (design) depends on individual creativity, the customs of each tribe and the natural forest materials used,” she said. Hanim, a handicraft entrepreneur, said in traditional practice, wearing the tempok is considered essential when outside the home as it symbolises community identity, and in the past, village heads would only remove it when sleeping. She said changing times have led to the practice becoming increasingly rare, especially among the younger generation. “Many of our young people no longer practise wearing this

significance far beyond that of a mere accessory. It also serves as an identity marker of Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia, whose customs are increasingly eroded by modernisation. Native Allies Society of Malaysia vice-president Hanim Apeng said wearing the tempok distinguishes the Orang Asli community from the wider society while also reflecting the diversity of the 18 Orang Asli communities in the peninsula. “This is our community’s identity. We carry that identity by wearing the tempok or tanjak , which is symbolic regardless of its design