Music and dance of Malaysia

Malaysia is famous for its multi-ethnic and multicultural aspect of life that features people of different religion and race. The most integral part of Malaysian culture is their music and dance forms. Music is the outcome of necessity in Malaysia. Earlier, when there were minimum modes of communication, it was the drum beats and music that used to pass a message. Be it a marriage announcement, birth, danger, death and any other news. Different beats were used to convey different messages across villages.

In order to live comfortably in that era, musical instruments like rebana ubi, or giant drums were used as tools of communication. The influence of Indonesian, Thai, Portuguese, Filipino and Chinese music on the Malaysian music is clearly visible from its beats and rhythm.

Malaysian traditional music revolves around the Indonesian gamelan, which is a stringed instrument from Indonesia with a delicate, soft sound. Gamelan is generally accompanied by the lilting, mesmerizing beats of Malaysian drums. Nobat is another form of Malaysian traditional orchestra. It is a royal orchestra that plays more solemn music for the courts using serunai and nafiri wind instruments.

Since Malaysia is the abode of different genre of socio-cultural groups, the people inhabiting there are from different musical taste. As the result, the music of the country varies from region to region. As an example we can take Ghazals, which derived from Arabia and have become popular in Kuala Lumpur and Rongeng. Apart from these, Malaysian music has also been considerably influenced by European and American music and therefore Malaysia has witnessed the uprising of numerous pop singers and rock bands in the recent years.

Some of the musical instruments that Malaysian people uses are:

Rebana Ubi
It is a giant size musical instrument that used to create loud rhythmic beats to convey various messages from warnings of danger to wedding announcements. Buy now the Malay people use it as a general form of musical instrument that can be used in any social events.

Gambus
This oval shape instrument is brought to Malaysia by Persian and Middle Eastern traders. Malay people use this to play various styles of Malay folk music.

Kompang
The kompang is a thin frame drum made of goat or cow skin nailed to the wooden frame by metal nails. This round shape instrument is widely used in a variety of social occasions such as the National Day parades, official functions and weddings.

Sape
Traditionally the Sape was a fairly limited instrument with two strings, three strings and four strings and its use was restricted to a form of ritualistic music. But gradually it became a social instrument, used as accompaniment for dances and as a form of entertainment. Today, this instrument is available with a range of more than three
octaves.

Like the various music forms in Malaysia, the Malaysian dance patterns also come from different countries. Different forms of dance exemplify the age-old tradition of storytelling in dance and narrate the story of the happiness of a prince when blessed with a grandson. The country boasts of numerous traditional dance forms.

Mak Yong
Originating from Patani in Southern Thailand, no other dance drama has a more captivating appeal than Mak Yong in Malaysia. This ancient classic entertainment combines romantic stories, operatic singing, tales of the golden age of the Malay kingdoms and humour.

Joget
Malaysia's most popular traditional dance form is Joget. The Joget has its origins traced back to the Portuguese folk dance which was introduced to Malacca during the era of the spice trade. It is a lively dance with a fast upbeat tempo.

Malay Mak Yong
Initiated in Southern Thailand, Mak Yong was conceived to entertain female royalty. It combines romantic drama, dance and operatic singing, tales of the golden age of the Malay kingdoms in a dramatic ways.

Kuda Kepang
Brought to the state of Johor by Javanese immigrants, this traditional dance form consists of drums, gongs and angklungs.

Zapin
Islamic influence on Malaysian traditional dance is most evident in Zapin. This is the most popular dance in the state of Johor.

Silat
Silat is one of the oldest Malay traditions and a deadly martial art.

Dragon Dance
Dragon dance is one of the very popular forms of dance in Malaysia. Usually requiring a team of over 60 people, this fantastic performance is an amazing display of perfect co-ordination, skill and elegance.

The Hornbill Dance
The Hornbill Dance is one of the most famous and well known forms of dance in Malaysia. Performed by a solo woman dancer to the sounds of the sape, fans made out of hornbill feathers are used to represent the wings of the sacred bird.

Sumazau
This traditional dance of Sabah's Kadazan people, usually performed at religious ceremonies and social events, it is traditionally used to honour spirits for bountiful paddy harvests.

Bamboo Dance
Another highly popular and entertaining traditional dance is Bamboo Dance. Two long bamboo poles are held horizontally and are clapped together to a high-tempo drumbeat.

Orang Asli
This dance form is the outcome of the spiritual beliefs of Malay people. The dance types related to this are Genggulang of the Mahmeri tribe, Berjerom of the Jah-Hut tribe and the Sewang of the Semai and Temiar tribes.

Tarian Lilin or Candle Dance
The candle dance is one of the Malaysia's most amazing performance arts. It is a type of dance performed by women who do a delicate dance while balancing candles in small dishes. As the performer's body describes graceful curves and arcs, the delicate candle flames become hypnotic traces.

So, whenever you make a plan to tour the country of Malaysia, do not forget to check out the music and dance forms of this beautiful country, it will definitely help you to have a clear understanding of the socio-cultural aspect of the country.

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