#1 Mak Yong
Also known as a dance drama, the Mak Yong is a mixture of dance, comedy, and opera.
Some believe that this dance form has been here since well before the Islamisation of Malaysia. Originating from Kelantan, this unique dance was typically performed in a royal theatre under the direct patronage of the Kelantan Sultanate until the 1920s.
It’s not called dancing if it’s not accompanied by good music. The musical instruments used in Mak Yong are the spiked lute, gong, kesi (finger cymbals), drum, and flute. The music and melody fit perfectly with the dance while revealing a drama of its own. Besides being intended for entertainment, this dance is also regarded as a healing process when the ritual is performed. Since the Mak Yong dance is believed to have a mystical element, the conservative state government of Kelantan banned performances of the Mak Yong in 1998.
#2 Kuda Kepang
This dance is called the Kuda Kepang because its performance features mock horses made from rattan.
When Javanese immigrants first arrived in Johor, they brought the Kuda Kepang with them – adding yet another dimension of regional influence to Malaysia's multifaceted culture. Despite being a traditional dance form, the Kuda Kepang is still widely known and popular in Johor. The Kuda Kepang is believed to involve spirit possession, and it is common to find dancers entering a trance during the activity. During the show, the audience can see dancers perform unbelievable physical feats without getting hurt.
The dancers, usually a troupe consisting of 9 people, are called ‘pemain’ or ‘players’. These players are dressed in traditional Javanese attire while telling a story through their body movements. While they’re dancing, they’ll be accompanied by music mainly produced with an angklung (bamboo handbells), gendang (two-headed drum), jidur (tom drums), and other traditional instruments.
#3 Zapin
The Zapin is the most popular Malay dance form in Malaysia, especially in Selangor, Johor, and Pahang.
Before the age of gender equality, the Zapin used to be only performed by male dancers, but we can now see women performing this kind of dance. Some believe that this dance was introduced by Persian and Arab missionaries arriving in Malaysia during the fifteenth century.
The music for a performance of the Zapin is made from a mixture of traditional and contemporary instruments such as the gambus(short-necked lute), marwas (double-sided hand drum), and the violin. The style of dance for the Zapin varies from state to state. In Zapin, you can play with each other, tease, challenge, or simply enjoy each other’s company. Usually, this dance is performed in pairs – so grab a partner and let’s dance!
