PI00002090

Mak Yong Traditional Theatre is normally portrayed as a Malay dance drama that contains acting, dancing and singing. There is a consensus that Mak Yong originated from the ancestry of the Kelantan-Patani Government, and said to have established around 400 years ago at the Malay sultanate palace of Kelantan-Patani. Then it spred to the states of Terengganu and Kedah after which it settled at Serdang Muda, Sumatera and Riau Islands, Indonesia. A Mak Yong traditional performance does not use lots of props, set and background to portray a scene. Its performance structure is permanent and uniform although the storyline is different. A traditional performance in villages is held in an open theatre. The audiences sit on three sides while the fourth side is for musicians. Most characters are acted by women and the storylines are based on traditional folk stories. The Buka Panggung (literally translated as ‘Opening the Theatre’) ceremony starts a performance followed by the story plot and ends with the Tutup Panggung (or ‘Closing the Theatre’) ceremony. In the Buka Panggung ceremony the performance begins with the Mengadap Rebab segment, that is paying homage to the rebab (oud), the main musical instrument regarded as a chaste element in a performance. The actor who plays the Peran Tua character, that is the Elder Joker, pays homage to the oud and places it in the middle of the theatre while Jong Dongdang sings the song ‘San Gendang’. The actors who play the characters of Pak Yong, Mak Yong and Jong Dongdang stand in a circle while the maidens sing the song ‘Sedayung Mak Yong’ or the song ‘Sedara’. At the end of the song Pak Yong instructs the maidens to return to the palace, and this marks the end of the segment. The main characters are Pak Yong, Mak Yong, the King, Queen, Elder Joker and Junior Joker. There are also other characters like the Royal Soothsayer, Ship Captain, Guru, soldiers, genie, ghost and giant, depending on the storyline. The main musical instruments are a three-string oud, two drums and two gongs. There are also additional instruments to increase the degree of the melodious sound like cymbal, small bells and flute. In the year 2005 Mak Yong was recognised and proclaimed as “A Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by the United Nation Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). In the year 2008 Mak Yong was proclaimed as A Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

PI00007801

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Headgear called 'setanjak' crown made from special velvet cloth with jewellery decorations with shiny sides.

PI00007800

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Headgear called 'setanjak' crown made from special velvet cloth with jewellery decorations with shiny sides.

PI00007802

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Headgear called 'setanjak' crown made from special velvet cloth with jewellery decorations with shiny sides.

PI00007803

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Bamboo rattan held by Pak Yong(Main character of Mak Yong) is a symbol of power and control upon the people.

PI00007805

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Bamboo rattan held by Pak Yong(Main character of Mak Yong) is a symbol of power and control upon the people.

PI00007804

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Bamboo rattan held by Pak Yong(Main character of Mak Yong) is a symbol of power and control upon the people.

PI00007807

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. The keris is an asymmetrical dagger with distinctive blade-patterning achieved through alternating laminations of iron and nickelous iron. Keris is used in Mak Yong performances as a symbol of the king's authority over his kingdom.

PI00007806

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. The keris is an asymmetrical dagger with distinctive blade-patterning achieved through alternating laminations of iron and nickelous iron. Keris is used in Mak Yong performances as a symbol of the king's authority over his kingdom.

PI00007809

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Bengkung or belt, is a wide strip of cloth used to wrap the stomach, usually worn with Mak Yong clothing as part of the accessories. Pending is Malay silver/ gold Belt Buckle with hand carvings worn together with the bengkung.

PI00007808

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Bengkung or belt, is a wide strip of cloth used to wrap the stomach, usually worn with Mak Yong clothing as part of the accessories. Pending is Malay silver/ gold Belt Buckle with hand carvings worn together with the bengkung.

PI00007810

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Bengkung or belt, is a wide strip of cloth used to wrap the stomach, usually worn with Mak Yong clothing as part of the accessories. Pending is Malay silver/ gold Belt Buckle with hand carvings worn together with the bengkung.

PI00007811

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Decorated fine colorful beads used around the shoulder and neck.

PI00007812

Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 Specific to the villages of the state of Kelantan in northwest Malaysia, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is a kind of musical that combines acting, singing, music, dancing, and colorful costumes. Most roles are performed by women, and the stories are based on ancient Malay folk tales Kelantan-Pattani. The lyrics of the songs in Makyong primarily revolve around themes of war, loyalty to the king and kingdom, and the association of this loyalty with religious piety. Mak Yong is also associated with rituals in which shamans attempt to heal through song, trance-dance, and spirit possession. In addition, this performing art properly mixes Hindu and Islamic elements and portrays traditional Malay court life. Wristbands made from special velvet cloth with jewellery decorations with shiny sides.