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Welcome to Ensemble on Stage!

In Ensemble on Stage, you will be learning the different dance movement of the four Malay dance genre and explore what makes each dance genre special. 

 Relax and let's enjoy the performance! 

Zapin

  • Zapin is one of the two Malay dance genres that are still commonly practised. 

  • Zapin mainly consists of back and forth and rotating movements and focuses on the movement following the rhythm of the drum (Susanti, 2019).

  • As the rhythm of music is strong, the movements are dynamic and tend to be rough (Susanti, 2019).

  • It involved locomotive footwork and allowed fast travelling through a stylistic walk, run and leap. In order to maintain balance, the dancer will tilt their torso and wave their arms accordingly to allow the fast transfer of weight (Leng, n.d). 

The first part starts with an introduction which is called Tarqism. During Tarqism, it consists of a solo performance of Gambus which marks the opening performance. Simultaneously, the dancers will enter the stage and perform the Sembah which is an act of respect to the audience (Susanti, 2019).

In a typical Zapin performance, there are 3 segments. 

The second part start when the tempo of the drums is played in a rapid manner known as Kopak. During the Kopak, dancers will move in a jumping manner called the Minta Tahto (Susanti, 2019).

The third part is the end of the performance which is known as the Tahtim, whereby the dancers will perform the Wainab movements to close the performance (Susanti, 2019).

Refer to 0.55-1.15 in the video to see how the  Minta Tahto is performed! 

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What is Minta Tahto? 

Minta Tahto is a linear formation of dancers who dance facing one another while repeating dance motif tracing a recurring forward and backward floor plan, interrupted with a series of skips and squatting positions (Susanti, 2019). 

What is Wainab? 
Wainah is performed at the end of each performance where dancers perform jumping and squatting dance motifs to the accompaniment of relatively faster drum beats (Susanti, 2019).

Refer to 3.32-3.39 in the video to see how   Wainab is performed!  

Did you know? 

Tumpung Lalu is a transition move that is used in all Malay dance genre. Refer to 1.45-1.48 in the video to see how Tumpung Lalu is performed (Balqis, 2021).

Joget

  • Joget is one of the two Malay dance genres that is still commonly practiced. 

  • Joget dance consists of rhythmic coordination of both hands which are usually clasped with females holding a handkerchief, and detailed shuffling of feet. This is meant to give an impression of youthful enthusiasm (Muhd, 2018). 

  • One of the significant aspects of Joget dance is that both the female and male dancers ensure that they do not touch each other while making rhythmic hand and foot movement (Peshawaria, n.d.).  

 Refer to 3.07-3.12 in the video to see how this is performed!

Towards the end of a Joget performance, the tempo of the drum will speed up. Two dancers would then face each other, standing on their right leg, extending their left leg forward and when both dancer’s feet touch, they switch their legs (Wei, 2011).

During the climate of the song, this is usually accompanied by a Tandak moment which involves a dancer skipping heel-toe from one leg to another in reaction to the quickened beat (Muhd, 2018).

Refer to 1.11-1.23 in the video to see how Tandak is performed!

Inang

  • Inang is one of the two oldest generations of Malay dance. 

  • Inang dance highlights the gracefulness of royal maids by including swaying movements (Wei, 2011). 

  • Inang consists of walking motions which can be performed in a relatively slow or fast tempo. The dancer would sway their arms and their hand would be folding in and out gesturing stylized movements (Mohd & Burridge, 2011). 

  • In an interview with a fellow friend from the famous Sriwana, Ain Balqis mentioned that: "One of the distinct movements in Asli is Lenggang which is a walk-like movement". 

  • In Inang dance, both female and male dancers usually face one another while making turns and dancing in a circular path around each other (Mohd & Burridge, 2011).

Refer to  0.49-0.54 in the video to see how this is performed!

Asli

  • Asli is one of the two oldest generations of Malay dance. 

  • As Asli dance symbolizes the charming nature of Malay ladies, the dance style is usually graceful and elegant. It consists of numerous hand movements poses with different significance (Wei, 2011). 

  • In Asli dance, each movement starts and ends with the Gong beat in the count of eights (Wei, 2011).  

  • In an interview with a fellow friend from the famous Sriwana, Ain Balqis mentioned that "One of the distinct movements in Asli is the Lenggang which is a walk-like movement". 

  • Asli dance focuses on the detailed movement of the dancer’s hand which makes Asli is the most refined dance of all Malay folks dances.

During the performance, you will see dancers performing a movement called Petik Bunga which is a movement that involves the curling and flexion of fingers while they dance in a slow walking motion (Mohd & Burridge, 2011).

Refer to 0.48-1.16 in the video to see how Petik Bunga is performed!

Let's learn more

about Lenggang!

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References 


 

Arjozzz. (2018, December 18). Persembahan Kejutan (Permata Seni Tari) - Tarian Inang[Video]. 

​

              Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNV-M9tNB2Y



 

Burridge, S & Mohd, A, M, N. (2011). Sharing Identities: Celebrating dance in Malaysia. 

 

              Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. 



 

Farid, S, A, Seshadri, N. (2020). Failing The Dance. Da:ns Festival. 

 

             https://www.esplanade.com/festivals-and-series/dans-festival/2020/failing-the-dance-a-d

 

             ouble-bill-of-lecture-performances Failing the Dance Compendium Essays (PDF) | 11.7 MB



 

Global Media [AsiaTrend.org]. (2015, November 12). Zapin Dance - from Riau islands - Festival 

 

             Indonesia 2015 [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejMOQY6H4BI



 

Leng, P, G. (n.d.). Malay Dance as a Source of Inspiration for Contemporary Creations.

         

             LangKah.https://langkah.mydancealliance.org/malay-dance-as-a-source-of-inspiration-fo

 

             r-contemporary-creations/


 

Muhd, M, N, F. (2018, March 20).  JOGET: THE POPULAR, EVER-EVOLVING MUSIC OF 

 

            DANCE. OffStage. 



 

NTU MLCS Perbayu [NTU MLCS Perbayu]. (2015, February 7]. RENTAK BUDAYA 15 Intro and 

 

           Asli Dance [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkOUAuSj2yw



 

Sri Warisan Som Said Performing Arts [Esplanade - Theatre on the bay]. (2018, March 13). 

 

          Joget as dance form in Joget Hitam Manis [Video]. Youtube. 

 

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW38tcX5I6o&feature=youtu.be



 

Susanati, D. (2019, April 27.). Philosophical Meaning of Zapin Pecah Dua Belas Dance In

 

         Pelalawan District, Riau Province. SEWORD FRESSH 2019. 

 

         https://eudl.eu/pdf/10.4108/eai.27-4-2019.2286830



 

Peshawaria, S. (n.d.). Top 15 Dances of Malaysia - Celebrating the Country's Cultural Vibrance. 

 

         Holidify. https://www.holidify.com/pages/dances-of-malaysia-3862.html


 

         https://www.esplanade.com/offstage/arts/joget-the-popular-ever-evolving-music-of-dance



 

Wei, W. (2011, September 16). (4) Cultural Dances & Traditional Musical Instruments of 

 

         Malaysia. Taman Sri Nibong RA Log. 

 

         https://tsnra.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/4-cultural-dances-of-malaysia/

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