Mak Yong

It is extremely sad to know that Mak Yong dance is hardly performed today. It was one of Malaysian’s dance-theatre arts but unfortunately, it is forbidden to perform Mak Yong today, especially in the state of Kelantan where it was originated because it is believed to be spreading negative values contrary to Islam. Mak Yong dance is much influenced by spirit to evoke the ‘semangat’ in order to ensure that the performance runs smoothly. This dance is also associated with rituals such as attempting to heal through songs and trance-dance which is contradicted to Islam’s believes and it has been a controversial dance during the PAS ruled Kelantan in the early 90s.

I feel sorry that Malaysia looses one of its art form. In my opinion, Mak Yong should not be automatically banned from being performed to prevent the vanishing of this unique art form. The government should omitted the values such as the use of ‘semangat’ and also other manner that are contrary in Islamic rules and replace it with substances that are tally in the Islamic context. It is crucial to bare in mind that the essence in Mak Yong should be sustained to preserve its uniqueness during excluding the negative values in Mak Yong. This is to treasure the important element in Mak Yong and for Mak Yong to still maintain its speciality.

Mak Yong delivers a source of entertainment during the old days and it is really a shame that Mak Yong is under going a steady decline. I hope the government will take an action soon to prevent the extinction of this tremendously extraordinary art as the number of Mak Yong performers is also slowly decreasing as it is now hardly performed.