![]() ![]() The instruments they used are in this dance are quite complex. Where the dance troupes performing might range from 2 to 9 dancers. Therefore, Kuda Kepang is being included in most of the major celebrations in Johor such as Johorean Government festivals, cultural displays, and Johor Sultan’s birthday celebration. Strongholds for this dance include Batu Pahat for most there has Javanese ancestry. As mentioned before, Kuda Kepang is once most popular in the state of Johor where it was even linked to Johorean identity. ![]() Dancers would also wear the Blangkon, a traditional flat headwear of the Javanese people to show their ethnic identity.Įven though being a popular traditional dance born from the island of Java, it is inarguably a part of Malaysian culture brought by the Javanese people which reflects the culture of inclusiveness and openness in Malaysian culture. In contrast to the slogan colours preferred by the Javanese people, the ritual dancers usually wear bright traditional garments in performance, maybe as a symbol of warriors distinguishing themselves from the majority. Seldom, both genders will perform the dance together. ![]() Traditionally the Kuda Kepang dance is performed only by men but recently more women are joining as well. It is usually performed at a boy’s circumcision or as a form of cultural entertainment where it is performed busker style in a specially cordoned off area where spectators watch from a distance. Like the Lion Dance of the Chinese people, the Kuda Kepang is also celebrated at festive events and gatherings. Thereafter, it is accepted that this dance may be born from ancient totems combined together with Islamic elements. Hence, the Kuda Kepang was adopted as a showcase of good versus evil testifying the tales of the Islamic conquest in Java. While facing difficulty when explaining and preaching Islamic practices to the rural villages, they adopted pre-Islamic practices and adopted them into Islam to teach the rural villagers on the holy faith. These saints lived in Java island during the 15th century. Even though with these hypotheses it may actually start as worship of primordial horse god totem before the adoption of Islam.Īnother story regards its origin in the Wali Songo or the Nine Saints. Others suggested that it was actually Sultan Agung which charged his cavalry with valour against the Dutch colonizers. One hypothesis suggested by many stated that it started as a reenactment of the Diponegoro Rebellion where the Javanese people led by Prince Diponegoro rode into battle against the Dutch oppression. ![]() Although it is unknown how it began many legends sung how it started. The origins of this dance are shrouded in mystery as no one seems to explain truly how it began. Adding to it, it is also seen as the famous traditional leisure time activity among Johorean society. This dance is mostly practised and celebrated in the states of Selangor and Johor where the Javanese community of Malaysia is quite visible. It is often accompanied by gamelan music and barong dancers to add the dance to its festive cheer. Kuda Kepang is a highly ritualized dance which invokes the spirits of the past where the dancers dance riding on the flat horses made out of straw, wood, bamboo, or even hay. Even though the Javanese people are Muslims, they may also adhere to many pre-Islamic practices which they syncretize into a folk version of Islam known as Abangan or the Red Religion. To add on, The Javanese are also found mainly in the states of Johor and Selangor where they are sub-divided into different subgroups, The Pendalaman Javanese at Selangor which hold their origins from Central Java and the Eastern Javanese mostly located at Johor. Kuda Kepang can be acknowledged as a heritage dance culture for the Javanese Communities of Malaysia. Kuda Kepang also is known as ‘Jaran Kepang’ in Javanese, it is a traditional folk trance dance once practised by the Javanese Communities of Malaysia. ![]()
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