Siku
Item
Edited Title
Siku
Archivist's Original Title
Siku
Original description
Recording depicts the religious rituals and songs of the Temiar people, who practice shamanism and animistic faith. The lyrics of the song warn of the potential dangers of contact with outsiders, specifically mentioning the spread of disease brought by white strangers from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Ipoh. This warning is attributed to the Spirit of the Siku mountain, and it reflects the Temiar's concerns about the impact of outside influences on their community.
SEA Annotations
Temiar dream music - religious ritual songs and dances performed in a Temiar long-house. Mixed chorus, with beating of membranophone.
Transcription
While the Temiar were helping to clear the jungles for the hill station of the Cameron Highlands, the Spirit of the Siku mountain warned the 'hala' [shaman] of the possible dangers of contact. The verse of the song runs - " White strangers come from Kuala Lumpur, From Singapore they come, From Ipoh in their motor cars up the Batang Padang, But with them comes disease"
Time duration
0:03:15
Recording date of the original material
1941-12
Population
Temiar
Country Name
Recording place
Tags, Keywords
Malaysia
Temiar
Archivist Category
Music
Recording context
Studio recording
Instrument, Original Archivist Data
Group singing, male and female singers
membranophone.
Holding Institution of Original Materials
Original item number
1CS0087303 S1 MALAYA BROADCASTING CORPOR; 9CS0021025 S1 MALAYA BROADCASTING CORPOR
SEAH Identifier
1CS0087303 S1 MALAYA BROADCASTING CORPOR1; 9CS0021025 S1 MALAYA BROADCASTING CORPOR1
Broadcast Audience
British Malaya
Broadcast Topic
Culture
Description
Temiar dream music - religious ritual songs and dances performed in a Temiar long-house [shamanic, animistic faith]
