International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

search-icon

Animism Belief in the Performance Art of Gabag Gelap among the Temiar Community in POS Blau, Gua Musang

Open access

Ain Salem, Hafis Simin, Nik Nur Azizah Nik Halman, Aisya Azhari, Nina Khairil, Najah Tuah, Azfar Amirawa

Pages 990-998 Received: 31 Mar, 2025 Revised: 28 Apr, 2025 Published Online: 23 May, 2025

http://dx.doi.org/10.46886/IJARBSS/v15-i5/17066
Animism plays a significant role in the performance art of Gabag, a traditional practice among the Temiar community in Gua Musang, Kelantan. This performance art reflects a spirituality that has been passed down through generations. Although this tradition continues to be practiced, socioeconomic changes and external influences pose challenges to the preservation of animistic elements in Gabag Gelap. This study aims to understand how animism influences the lives of the Temiar people. The findings indicate that Gabag Gelap serves as a medium for communication with the supernatural, a tool for conflict resolution, and a means to restore balance within the community. The study also highlights the challenges of preserving animistic elements in this art form due to the adaptation of modern lifestyles among the Temiar tribe. In addition to contributing to broader discussions on indigenous knowledge systems and cultural sustainibility, the study illuminates the anthropogical, cultural, and spiritual aspects of this activity. NGOs that support indigenous rights, policymakers like JAKOA and the Ministry of Tourism, and educators seeking to incorporate local heritage into teaching. For the Temiar community, this documentation supports efforts to preserve Gabag Gelap as a living tradition and pass it on to the future generations. In conclusion, preservation strategies, documentation, cultural education, and community collaboration are crucial to ensure the continuity of Gabag Gelap as a cultural heritage of the Temiar tribe.
Endicott, K. M. (1979). Batek Negrito religion: The world-view and rituals of a hunting and gathering people of Peninsular Malaysia. Clarendon Press.
Asli, J. K. O. (JAKOA). (2020). Laporan tahunan JAKOA 2020. Kementerian Kemajuan Desa dan Wilayah Malaysia.
Marina, R. (1993). Dream songs and healing among the Temiar of Malaysia. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 24(1), 120-134.
Nicholas, C. (2000). The Orang Asli and the contest for resources: Indigenous politics, development and identity in Peninsular Malaysia. IWGIA.
Ramle, A. (2001). Peralihan Ekonomi Masyarakat Orang Asli Terengganu Satu Sudut Ekonomi Persekitaran. Tesis Doktor Falsafah. Pulau Pinang: Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Roseman, M. (1991). Healing sounds from the Malaysian rainforest: Temiar music and medicine. University of California Press.
Hashim, S. (2020). Pengaruh alam dan kepercayaan dalam muzik Gabag suku kaum Temiar: Kajian kes di Kampung Merlong, Gua Musang (Tesis Doktor Falsafah). Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin.
Tylor, E. B. (1871). Primitive culture: Researches into the development of mythology, philosophy, religion, language, art, and custom. John Murray.
Benjamin, G. (2002). Indigenous religions and belief systems of the Senoi peoples in Malaysia. Journal of Ethnographic Studies, 15(4), 210-238.
Salem, A., Simin, H., Halman, N. N. A. N., Azhari, A., Khairil, N., Tuah, N., & Amirawa, A. (2025). Animism Belief in the Performance Art of Gabag Gelap among the Temiar Community in POS Blau, Gua Musang. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 15(5), 990–998.