Lemang

Sticky rice in bamboo is known as a ubiquitous traditional food in many traditional Southeast Asian communities. In Minangkabau culture, lemang, or lamang is a traditional food which consists of glutinous rice or tapai that is used in various traditional ceremonies, mainly in West Sumatra, Indonesia. According to Minangkabau tradition, the cooking technique of lemang was first introduced by Sheikh Burhanuddin. However, lemang are also known as traditional foods of other tribes in the Southeast Asian region, and their cooking method is still very ancient and depends on natural materials and ingredients, including bamboo tubes.{{cite journal |last1=Yovani |first1=Tania |title=Lamang tapai: the ancient Malay food in Minangkabau tradition |journal=Journal of Ethnic Foods |date=December 2019 |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=22 |doi=10.1186/s42779-019-0029-z |s2cid=209325826 |doi-access=free }}

In early Indonesian literature, lemang was mentioned in Marah Rusli's 1922 novel Siti Nurbaya, in which Nurbaya unwittingly eating a poisonous lemang due to Meringgih's evil scheme.{{Cite web|last=Kaya|first=Indonesia|title=Warisan Sastra Indonesia Dalam Lantunan Lagu Dan Tarian Di Drama Musikal 'Siti Nurbaya (Kasih Tak Sampai)' {{!}} Liputan Budaya - Situs Budaya Indonesia|url=https://www.indonesiakaya.com/liputan-budaya/detail/warisan-sastra-indonesia-dalam-lantunan-lagu-dan-tarian-di-drama-musikal-siti-nurbaya-kasih-tak-sampai|access-date=2020-09-20|website=IndonesiaKaya|language=id}}

File:Bakar lemang.jpg

The bamboo contains glutinous rice, salt and coconut milk that is placed onto a slanted position besides a small fire with the opening facing upwards. It should be turned regularly in order to ensure the rice inside the bamboo is cooked evenly. The cooking process takes about 4–5 hours. Lemang is often served with rendang or serundeng.

In Indonesia, lemang is associated with Minangkabau tradition of West Sumatra.{{Cite news|url= https://m.merdeka.com/peristiwa/cerita-tradisi-malamang-dari-sumatera-barat.html|title=Lemang, Cerita Tradisi Malamang Dari Sumatera Barat|last=Eda Erwina|date=2014-05-08|website=Merdeka.com|language=id|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite news|url= https://www.tribunnewswiki.com/2019/07/18/lemang|title=Lemang|date=2019-07-18|website=Tribunnewswiki.com|language=id|access-date=2020-05-26}} Nevertheless, rice cooking method using bamboo tubes is widespread in the region, including Brunei,{{citation|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/checkout/2009/09/08/lemang-stalls-are-found-everywhere|title='Lemang' stalls are found everywhere|author1=Bahrum Ali|author2=Bandar Seri Begwan|date=September 8, 2009|work=The Brunei Times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210185511/http://www.bt.com.bn/checkout/2009/09/08/lemang-stalls-are-found-everywhere|archive-date=December 10, 2015}} Minahasa, Dayak and Orang Asli tribes.{{cn|date=September 2020}} The Minahasan version of this dish is known as Nasi Jaha, which is cooked in the same method.{{Cite web|date=2016-11-19|title=Jika Sumbar Punya Lamang, Minahasa Punya Nasi Jaha|url=https://republika.co.id/berita/gaya-hidup/kuliner/16/11/19/ogwdu0280-jika-sumbar-punya-lamang-minahasa-punya-nasi-jaha|access-date=2020-09-20|website=Republika Online|language=id}}

In Minangkabau tradition, lemang making is called Malamang. Lemang is incomplete if it is not eaten together with tapai, so they are likened to a man and a woman by Minang people. Lemang itself describes the togetherness of Minang people because its making process is always done together. There are several taboos that must be obeyed in making lemang and tapai. Lemang are also used as gifts when visiting other people’s homes, for example, when visiting in-laws or manjapuik marapulai ceremony. However, there is no symbolic meaning behind the obligatory existence of lemang at traditional ceremonies. On the other hand, lemang and tapai are famous for their unique taste produced by the chemical components in their ingredients. In this article, the origin of lemang and tapai, the philosophy and presentation of lemang in the traditions of the Minangkabau people, and the flavor features of lemang and tapai from a scientific perspective are discussed.

Iban people usually prepare lemang for celebrations such as the harvest festival of Hari Gawai, lemang is usually eaten with meat dishes such as chicken curry. The cooking process used in making lemang for many different meats, also known as pansoh or pansuh by indigenous Dayak communities.{{citation|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/eat-drink/article/ayam-pansuh-a-sarawak-exotic-delicacy-loved-by-many-video|title='Ayam pansuh' — A Sarawak exotic delicacy loved by many|date=June 28, 2015|work=Malay Mail Online|access-date=July 14, 2016}}

In Kerinci Regency, Jambi, lemang is cooked inside nepenthes and the dish is called lemang kantong semar.{{cite web |last1=Rohman |first1=Taufiqur |title=Lemang Kantong Semar, Uniknya Kelezatan Kuliner Khas Kerinci |url=https://phinemo.com/lemang-kantong-semar-uniknya-kelezatan-kuliner-khas-kerinci/ |website=phinemo.com |date=8 May 2019 |access-date=27 May 2023 |language=Indonesian}}

In the Philippines, particularly in Pangasinan, there is a similar dish called binungey. The process is similar to lemang, but the bamboo tubes are shorter, and there is no banana leaf lining.

File:Cara belah buluh lemang.jpg|Cutting the hollowed bamboo to retrieve the lemang inside

File:Piece of Lemang.jpg|A piece of lemang

File:YosriLemangHidang.jpg|Serving lemang slices

• Ketupat
• Lemper
• Lontong
• Sticky rice in bamboo

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