PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Globalisation fosters dynamic interactions between global and local cultures, often leading to cultural hybridisation. This study examines how globalisation has affected the adat perpatih of the Malay community in Negeri Sembilan, with a focus on how these transformations have reshaped cultural identity. Framed by Stuart Hall’s theory of cultural identity, the study aims to explore how traditional customs adapt through both continuity and rupture. A qualitative ethnographic approach was employed, incorporating in-depth interviews and participant observation, with data analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Key findings reveal that urban migration, modern lifestyles, intermarriage, and persistent stereotypes have contributed to a decline in adat perpatih practices among younger generations. These shifts illustrate how adat perpatih negotiates its relevance within contemporary society. The findings offer implications for cultural preservation strategies and highlight the importance of sustaining intangible heritage in an increasingly globalised world.