ISTANA BUDAYA DANCE SYNOPSIS

MALAYSIA’S MULTI-RACIAL POPULATION BRINGS RICHNESS OF DIVERSITY TO THE

NATION. THIS RICH HERITAGE HAS PERMEATED INTO ALL FORMS OF MUSIC AND
DANCE. AS WE SEE IT TODAY. SOME TRADITIONS HAVE BEEN PRESERVED WHILE
OTHERS HAVE BEEN MERGED AMONG SOCIETIES.

1. Overture (Dia Datang)

This dance symbolizes the Malaysian harmony welcomes guests. Pohon Beringin as a symbol
of the opening stage to highlight celebrating guest in attendance.

2. Zapin Dance

Islamic influence on Malaysian traditional dance is perhaps most evident in Zapin, a popular
dance in the state of Johor. Introduced by Muslim missionaries from the Middle East, the
original dance was performed to Islamic devotional chanting to spread knowledge about the
history of the Islamic civilisation.

3. SAPE SOLO PERFORMANCE BY LESLIE ANAK ELI

4. Chinese Dance -

Chinese Fan dances start out as ceremonial rituals whereas the dance moves haven't changed,
the dance uses have. Fan dances represent beauty, grace, skill, tradition, delicacy and history.
They also express feelings of joy and fans are recognized as good luck charms and expressions
of generosity.

5. Classical India dance

One of the famous dance of the Indians in Malaysia is Bharatanatyam. This dance is derived
from the Tamil Nadu region in southern India. Dance Tashak in copyright-based or semi-
classical Bharatanatyam, an independent choreographer suitable attractions performed in the
usual cultural events and festivals for the Malaysian Indian community.

6. SAPE SOLO PERFORMANCE BY LESLIE ANAK ELI

7. Inang

Inang dance is a modernized version of the traditional mak inang folk dance. It is performed at
social functions. This dance moves at fast tempo set by the rebana, gendang (both are malay
percussion) and violin. The Mak Inang song and dance originated during the period of the
Malacca Sultanate. The song is said to have been composed by the order of Sultan Mahmud
Shah possibly as a lullaby to help him go to sleep.

8. Ethnic Sarawak & Sabah Dance

Malaysia's multi-cultural and multi-racial heritage is most prominently exhibited in its diverse
music and dance forms. The dances of Sabah and Sarawak are truly exotic and enchanting.
The Warrior Dance is come from traditional dance of Sarawak's Iban people. This dance is
usually performed during Gawai Kenyalang or 'Hornbill Festival'. Reputedly the most fearsome
of Sarawak's headhunters, the tribe's victorious warriors were traditionally celebrated in this
elaborate festival. Wearing an elaborate headdress and holding an ornate long shield, the male
warrior dancer performs dramatic jumps throughout this spellbinding dance. While Sabah dance
called Sumazau is a 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, ward off evil spirits and cure illnesses. Male and female dancers perform this
steady hypnotic dance with soft and slow movements imitating birds in flight.

9. SAPE SOLO PERFORMANCE BY LESLIE ANAK ELI

10. Dikir Fussion Dance

Dikir Barat is a popular culture in peninsular Malaysia which is Kelantan. Like most folk
performances, the Dikir Barat, in its traditional practice, is an avenue for social commentary.
While Dikir Fussion is a contemporary version of dikir barat which is a dance based on dikir
barat movement in fast motion. While singing, the group members will do certain actions,
especially the hands to brighten and enliven the performance. Handclapping and the striking of
a gong accompany the entire performance.

11. Joget Lambak

Joget Lambak is a traditional Melaka folk dance. In english, joget is dance and lambak is
scattered. So joget lambak can be a scattered dance. There are no special tempo or movement
in joget lambak only a basic dance move. The movement involve both hand and both leg
synchronize. Like marching but with a rhythm. With joget lambak we can dance static or move
forward and backward.

12. Malaysia Year Festival (Myfest)

The dance culminates with dancers singing the song to promote Malaysia and to pay their
tribute to this rich and blessed country. Truly Malaysia is the soul and essence of Asia and if you
come to see Malaysia you have seen the whole of Asia.