Among the traditional genres of music and dance in Malaysia are inang, asli, zapin, and joget. The inang and asli are considered to be the "original" Malay rhythms, indigenous to the Malay peninsula and northern Sumatra. The zapin and joget fall under the category of "adopted" Malay dances, influenced by other cultures which have been present in this region for centuries through trade or conquest.
Some common musical instruments used for playing traditional music include the gendang, rebana, kompang, violin, accordion, harmonium, flute, rebab, and gambus. Many of these instruments are not indigenous to the region, further attesting to the hybrid nature of the Malay culture. With traditional music being further adapted and thus absorbed into the sphere of popular music, guitars can also be present.
Other basic elements of traditional Malay music-dance forms are i) the accompaniment of the pantun, a Malay literary art usually consisting of quatrains, and ii) basic movements which portray Malay social norms as well as the lifestyle of the community.
Some common musical instruments used for playing traditional music include the gendang, rebana, kompang, violin, accordion, harmonium, flute, rebab, and gambus. Many of these instruments are not indigenous to the region, further attesting to the hybrid nature of the Malay culture. With traditional music being further adapted and thus absorbed into the sphere of popular music, guitars can also be present.
Other basic elements of traditional Malay music-dance forms are i) the accompaniment of the pantun, a Malay literary art usually consisting of quatrains, and ii) basic movements which portray Malay social norms as well as the lifestyle of the community.
Zapin
Zapin is a style of music and dance brought by traders and missionaries from Yemen during the Islamization of the region in the 14th century and was originally knows as zafin. The music and dance was accompanied by the singing praises to God and therefore became both a means of spreading Islam and of entertainment. Zapin was once exclusively performed by males. Now, zapin can be performed by male-female pairs though it is still more commonly performed by all-male groups.
Despite its origins as an Arab performance art, it has been adapted to the local Malay culture in all aspects. Firstly, zapin music is accompanied by the singing of pantuns, a Malay literary art which draws heavily on local imagery. The dance moves of zafin and zapin are also very different.
As with other traditional forms of Malay music, the musical instruments used in the performance of zapin include the hand drum (rebana), the violin, the accordion. One addition unique to zapin is the use of the gambus, an Arab-style lute, thus showing zapin's Arab origins.
Despite its origins as an Arab performance art, it has been adapted to the local Malay culture in all aspects. Firstly, zapin music is accompanied by the singing of pantuns, a Malay literary art which draws heavily on local imagery. The dance moves of zafin and zapin are also very different.
As with other traditional forms of Malay music, the musical instruments used in the performance of zapin include the hand drum (rebana), the violin, the accordion. One addition unique to zapin is the use of the gambus, an Arab-style lute, thus showing zapin's Arab origins.
Zapin is most popular in the southern part of the Malay peninsula, especially in the state of Johor. Even then, regional variations exist. For example, a type of zapin dance called Zapin Pulau originated in the fishing community of Mersing and hence, movements are influenced by the movements of fishermen at sea.
In contrast, Zapin Lenga originated in an agricultural community and thus depicts the life of farmers.
Joget
Joget is a highly social form of dance whose origins can be traced back to the 16th century. It has been influenced by two Portuguese folk dances named Branjo and Farapeirra. Because of its fast pace and catchy rhythm, joget carries popular appeal and is performed at cultural events and social functions such as weddings until today. It is performed in male-female pairs. The movements suggests teasing and playing between partners although as with other traditional dance forms, the partners never touch each other.
Inang
Inang is a style of music and dance which is said to have originated in the Malaccan royal court under the rule of Sultan Mahmud Shah (1488-1511). The name is believed to have been derived from Mak Inang, the name of a nanny tasked to look after the royal children, also the developer of the dance. Due to its courtly origins, it is very graceful as compared to other more social forms of traditional Malay dance. However, the music is relatively fast-paced.
In evolving from a court dance to a folk dance, it has retained its fast tempo and graceful movements. It is almost always performed by pairs of women and men as a means of socializing. Each region has its own form of the inang dance, and hence, inang is also performed when one community welcomes guests from another. One example of the inang is the Mak Inang Pulau Kampai.
In evolving from a court dance to a folk dance, it has retained its fast tempo and graceful movements. It is almost always performed by pairs of women and men as a means of socializing. Each region has its own form of the inang dance, and hence, inang is also performed when one community welcomes guests from another. One example of the inang is the Mak Inang Pulau Kampai.
Asli
The origins of asli as a music and dance form can be traced back to the 14th century. It is the most slow-paced of all the traditional Malay dances. Hence, it is the most graceful and elegant. Each movement in asli possesses a meaning. Asli music is also accompanied by pantuns that often tell of love and sorrow.
The asli also accompanies the Dondang Sayang, a love ballad involving the exchange of pantuns. The Dondang Sayang is extremely popular in Malacca amongst the Peranakan community. Thus, while the asli originated among the Malays, it has been influenced by both the Portuguese and Peranakan cultures.