ABSTRACT
Malaysia lies in the heart of Southeast Asia and comprises two noncontiguous regions referred to as West Malaysia and East Malaysia. A small number of Chinese families trace their arrival on the Malay Peninsula to the sixteenth century or earlier and are known as the Baba or Nyonya. This group has uniquely mixed some aspects of Malay culture such as dress, music and language with Chinese customs, manners and religion. Even though Malaysian culture is multiethnic, the existing musical genres found in the country reflect the specific ethnic groups concerned, namely the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Dayak, KadazanDusun, Portuguese, Eurasian and other groups. In general, music in Malaysian society may be categorized as classical, folk, syncretic, popular and contemporary art music. Both classical and folk music emerged during the pre-Colonial period. Syncretic music in Malaysia is heard in both urban and rural settings. Syncretic music emerged during the post-Portuguese period.
