Ritual and Reality: The Practice of Gabag Gelap and Cultural Transformation of the Temiar Community in RPS Kuala Betis

Gabag Gelap is a traditional performance art of the Temiar community that integrates elements of dance, song, music, and cultural symbolism within both ritual and social contexts. Beyond serving as a form of entertainment, it functions as a medium of healing, spiritual communication, and communal identity reinforcement. This study explores the transformations in the practice of Gabag Gelap among the Temiar community in RPS Kuala Betis, Gua Musang. Employing an ethnographic approach, the research focuses on three main aspects: (i) ritual practices of Gabag Gelap, (ii) the influence of nature and belief systems in ritual practice, and (iii) the cultural transformations shaping its continuity. The study adopts a qualitative methodology, with primary data collected through in-depth interviews with community leaders, traditional healers, Tok Halak, and individuals who continue to participate in these selectively performed rituals. Data were thematically analyzed to identify the dynamics of ritual performance, the role of nature and spiritual belief, and the shifting application of Gabag Gelap in the modern era. Framed within cultural anthropology and ethnography, the research examines the relationship between ritual, cultural identity, and the processes of social change. Findings indicate that although Gabag Gelap is increasingly marginalized due to formal education, religious propagation, and socio-economic development in RPS settlements, it remains an enduring pillar of Temiar cultural heritage, preserved by a small number of selected Tok Halak. The ritual continues to serve vital functions in healing, community protection, and the reinforcement of social solidarity. Nevertheless, social transformation has altered its modes of performance and symbolic values. The study underscores the importance of recognizing and safeguarding this tradition through systematic documentation, community-based education, and the integration of cultural values into Orang Asli development policies. This research makes a significant contribution to academic understanding of how the Temiar community negotiates between tradition and modernity, and its implications for the preservation of indigenous cultural heritage in Malaysia.