Zapin has been an art that shines in
I started to get involved in dancing since I was seven but I was actively involved in Zapin dance when I was 20. Its typical soft lady-like Malaysian traditional dance moves instantly attracted me on my first view of the dance. It was not hard for me to get involved in Zapin as I have acknowledge dancing basics in another Malaysian traditional dance called Inang dance. The main differences between these two dances are that Zapin dance utilize a great amount of foot movements while Inang dance emphasis on the hand movements. Zapin dance is very unique as it requires a special music which consists of several ‘pantun’ and pauses accompanied by music instruments such as gambus, violin, according to light up the dance. Dancers will perform ‘kopak’ during these pauses. I faced some difficulties during my early stage of learning these ‘kopak’ movements as it consist of the whole body movement, going up and down in few seconds. Luckily I have mastered these ‘kopak’ movements now. The costumes wear by the dancers are baju kurung for the female and baju melayu for the male with a cloth around their waist called ‘kain dagang’. During the performance, the dancers are supposed to hold on to the ‘kain dagang’ with their left hand.
It is interesting to know that the uniqueness of zapin are definitely shown by the various types of Zapin dance such as Zapin Pulau, Zapin Tenglu, Zapin Lenga, Zapin Pekajang and Zapin Parit Mustar which are influenced by tradition and living norms according to different region in Johor. Zapin Pekajang has more forcible movement and it is more suitable to be performed by male dancers but today, female Zapin dancers are customary to be seen performing.
I hope that Zapin dance will not be neglected and will live on as one of Malaysian Traditional Dance forever…
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Comment on “Zapin”
Hidayah have chosen the same as I am which is zapin. Anyhow,Hidayah seems to know more about zapin as she is actually a dancer, where zapin is one of the dance that she has already mastered. Her information on zapin is usually performed in special events such as in wedding ceremony astonished me as I thought that zapin is only performed during other special events but not during wedding ceremony. “Its typical soft lady-like Malaysian traditional dance moves instantly attracted me on my first view of the dance” and yes, it goes the same to me. The art in zapin that actually brings amazement to the viewers. Apart, when I read Hidayah’s post, then only I know that the special cloth that is a ‘must’ in zapin have a special name called ‘kain dagang’. As the time goes on, I do agree with Hidayah that we must preserve this unique culture for its valuable resemblance of our culture.
Nur Shahida Zakaria 131366
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