Kuda kepang is a traditional dance commonly performed by
Malays in the Malaysian state of Johor. The dance had strong
links with spirit possession and often dancers went into a trance-like state. Kuda
Kepang is performed by nine dancers who are seated astride a two dimensional
'horse'. Kuda is the Malay word for "horse" while kepang means
"braid". The horse was made from braided strips of rattan, or
alternatively made from leather. It is a flat "horse" that the dancer
straddles.
The Kuda Kepang
troupe started off with routine formations, swaying and traipsing along mellow,
repetitive rhythms of gendang, gong and gamelan.
They then took turns to dip their heads into the billowing smoke of the kemenyan,
and continued moving to the rhythms of the music, eventually breaking out into
scatters, each individual embodying animalistic characters; their fingers
curling, their bodies bending and twisting in silat martial arts
style. This dance is performed in accompaniment to a rich and exotic rendition of
traditional music played with indigenous instruments such as gongs, tambourines
and angklungs.
However according to Jabatan
Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim)(18) through e-fatwa government blog Kuda Kepang
dance is prohibited. It is believed during Kuda Kepang dance, there will be summoning
spirits for the purpose of asking for help through a series of spells. Besides,
Kuda Kepang ceremonies is practising of serving food that is known as “honouring
stages” or in Malay we called it as “menyembah pentas or “honoring courts”
(menyembah gelanggang)
Kuda Kepang ceremonies(19)
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