DANCE AND DANCE THEATRE
Malaysia's dance heritage has evolved from centuries of cross-cultural exchanges between peoples and traditions. The Orang Asli and the numerous indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, who own the oldest dance traditions in the country, have dance movements that are closely associated with symbols and metaphors of the forest, rivers and highlands which form their habitat. These dances, whilst enriched by inter-borrowing from newer Malay dance culture, retain the ritualism of their ancient animistic belief systems.
Malay dance traditions range from court dance traditions, folk and social dances to ancient and popular dance theatres, and new creative dances. Over the centuries, the Malays have synthesized and acculturated elements of foreign dances and ingeniously incorporated them into their own performances. Malay dance traditions have been influenced by the dance cultures of India, the Middle East, China and Portugal. This fusion and diversity have become part of Malaysia's dance legacy.
Ancient rituals, stylized dance movements, acting, singing and the playing of musical instruments are fused and presented as dance theatres in the form of Mak Yong and Menora. Similarly, the ancient martial art of silat has been incorporated with storytelling, acting, singing and music in the Randai dance theatre. Mak Yong, Menora and Randai are three instances of dance theatre that are rooted in ancient Malay beliefs and customs, at the same time exhibiting influences from abroad. The Thai-inspired Menora has its roots in the ritual performance of old Buddhist texts while Randai was brought over by Minangkabau Malays from Indonesia.
Malay folk dances are closely affiliated to the dances of areas around the Strait of Melaka, the Riau Archipelago, the Sulu Sea and the South China Sea. Joget, Inang, Asli and Zapin are four such pan-Malay folk dances that are performed nationwide either as social dances or as choreographed pieces. These forms show, in turn, regional variations. The different dance styles reflect the subtle cultural nuances of each region despite the borrowings and exchanges of dance styles between the states in Malaysia. These have enriched the Malay folk dance repertoire over the centuries.
Dances from beyond Southeast Asia have also had a lasting impact on Malaysia, such as Indian classical and folk dances. The influence of many dance cultures from Asia, the Middle East and Europe on Malaysia's dance tradition has produced hybrids of dance genres. Indigenous dance traditions have either remained in their original forms or have been assimilated into newer traditions without forgoing the distinctiveness of their Malaysian identity.
