Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Tuesday (June 24, 2025)

A Menora Dance ceremony was held for the first time at the residence of a Siamese resident in Kampung Kubang Tiga, Chuping, Perlis, recently. This dance was held because the host's son wanted to become a monk after turning 21. The Menora Dance is a traditional dance form originating from southern Thailand and is also very famous in Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan. It is part of the cultural heritage of the Siamese and Siamese Malay communities. The dance is believed to have existed for more than 500 years and developed into Malaya through trade relations and migration of the Siamese community. Originally, the Menora was a religious performance and healing ritual in animist and Buddhist beliefs and was used to summon spirits or as an offering to the gods. The Siamese Menora Dance is a cultural heritage rich in history and tradition. It is a performance that combines the arts of dance, singing, and acting, which is still performed today in several states in Malaysia and also in southern Thailand. - Bernama

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