Culture

The Culture of Muar

Muar with its diverse culture is the birthplace and practitioners of many forms of arts including murals for street art, martial arts, and traditional Malay performing arts.

Muar is the birthplace of traditional musical heritage known as Ghazal Melayu Johor which has a Persian origin. It includes aspects of Melayu Asli music with elements of Hindustani music accompanied by seven instruments being: Harmonium, Tabla, Gambus, Guitar, Violin, Tamborine, and Marakas.

Source: The Development of Ghazal Melayu Johor Music Composition from the 1950s till Present

Muar is also the birthplace of several types of Zapin dances: Zapin Lenga, Zapin Parit Bagan, Zapin Muar, Zapin Putar Alam, and Ceracap Inai dance. Silat Sendeng a form of Malay martial arts and Kuda Kepang dance are also well known in Muar.

Source: Culture and traditional - Muar tourism

Muar is a practitioner of Kuda Kepang dance which has Javanese origins and is performed by nine male dancers performing on a pleated rattan 'horse' which tells the tale of Wali Songo (Nine Saints) who spread the Islamic Faith in Java Indonesia where Wali Songo rode on horseback and won his battles leading to congregation.

Source: Communities - Kuda Kepang — PUSAKA

Muar is the birthplace of their renown Chinese heritage with Mr. Tan Chong Hing who founded Kun Seng Keng (Guan Sheng Gong) Lion and Dragon Dance Association in 1988 and since then has won over 70 national champions and 60 international champions.

Source: Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Dance Association

Murals can be found in most places around Muar. Muar has also been listed by Malaysia’s book of records as ‘First Local Authority To Use Augmented Reality Mural’ on February 17, 2019. Some examples are Cantonese opera dancer as a mural on the wall of Wisma Kwong Siu Koon, murals at Muar’s umbrella alley, murals at cultural walk, and many more.

Source: FIRST LOCAL AUTHORITY TO USE AUGMENTED REALITY MURAL