Dances

The expressive power of dances as an art form has endured for centuries and Malaysia, with her rich intermingling of cultures, has a particularly rich and varied dance heritage. Like the gasing and wau, traditional dance is another form of entertainment that has become a must in all formal shows and functions. Whether performed by Malays, Chinese, Indians, or the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, each performance is a rich tapestry which weaves together exquisite costumes and equally delicate and expressive movements. Whether telling a story, celebrating a harvest, or celebrating life itself, the dances of Malaysia are among our most cherished cultural traditions and a rich form of entertainment.

Traditional Malay dances are steeped in history and legend. The Kelantanese Tarian Asyik is supposed to represent the flight of birds and the fluid grace of the dancers, as they sway gently to the sound of traditional instruments such as the serunai, gambang and rebab, certainly takes the imagination on a flight of fancy and fantasy. Equally mesmerizing is the Tarian Zapin, which has Persian roots and has now developed many forms across the states of Malaysia. One of the more intriguing variants is the Zapin Tenglu from Mersing, which depicts the ebb and flow of the tides and the lives of local fisherfolk.

Chinese dances, on the other hand, use simple props such as fans, umbrellas, and handkerchiefs as extensions of the dancers own emotions. For instance, the fan is used to express joy and happiness. The umbrella is used primarily to express passionate feelings, either between a male and female or between an individual and his or her surroundings. Many Chinese traditional dances are an important accompaniment to key festivals, and are accompanied by the pounding of the gu (drums) and bo (cymbals).

Indian dances are many and varied. Some express a more spiritual angle, others express the simple joys of village life. Indian dances can be divided into classical and folk styles. Of the seven classical styles, perhaps the best known is Bharata Natyam. The mastering of this complicated art can take many years due to the various intricate hand, leg and eye movements which must be learnt in order to perform this timehonoured and venerated dance in its full, unforgettable splendour.

Kathak dance is another form of an Indian classical dance. The word Kathak means the art of story telling. From its early form as a devotional expression dedicated to the Hindu gods, Kathak gradually moved out into the courts of the rulers and is now part of the entertainment during grand celebrations. In Kathak, dancers perform a tale that sometimes would demand a hundred characters; ranging from an angry ogre to a magnanimous fairy godmother. Performers use excellent expressions, gestures and body movements to convey the story without a word of explanation.

Of all the regions in Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak are blessed with the widest variety of colourful traditional dances, which reflect the many different ethnic groups of the land. The Sumazau is often regarded as the state dance of Sabah. It is simple, yet graceful and evocative, as the dancers, clad in Kadazan black velvet, sway like birds to the sounds of gongs.

In Sarawak, Datun Julud is performed by female dancers of the Orang Ulu tribe of Sarawak. Their costume is distinctive and includes feathers which are attached to the hands giving the impression of birds (namely the hornbill) in flight. The movement vocabulary simply focuses on changing weight from one leg to the other in an almost pedestrian manner, making it earthbound while the use of the arms gives it a lifted and light impression as if the bird is soaring high.

Another popular dance of the Orang Ulu tribe of Sarawak is the Kanjet Ngeleput which is solely performed by men. It is a warrior dance that tells a story of anger, ambush, revenge, war and victory. Of late it has been largely improvised, depicting the activity of hunting. Dance and music is a rich part of Malaysias heritage. No official function seems complete without graceful dancers who captivate their audience with their elegant movements.

Choo Wan Yat, Yeoh Wai Tzee, Stanley Nyanaprakasan, Yee Sook Fen(2010). Dances, ACE AHEAD MUET(pg 242-243). Oxford Fajar Sdn Bhd.