The Tortoise traditional dance was inspired by the community’s observation of tortoises that live in rivers, lakes or pools. It started from an event whereby a fisherman unexpectedly hooked a tortoise. The community made the event as a joke, there then sparked a tortoise dance movement. This dance was in its splendour era during the 1950s to the 1960s. This dance was spotted at the earliest originated and rooted at Sarang Tiong Village, Endau, Kuala Rompin, Pahang, inspired and developed by expert individuals in the martial arts of silat, and created as entertainment. A dancer’s body movement and facial expression are according to a tortoise’s behaviour. The dance movement and dancers’ facial mimics are adapted so as to add to the humourous entertainment element that can attract the audience with comedy actions as well as entertaining. There are three versions of this dance according to its location. At Sarang Tiong Village it was inspired from an event whereby a wife who had a penchant to eat tortoise but her husband could not catch one. Then the wife dreamt an old man gave her the tip to catch a tortoise and that was to use banana bait as this is the tortoise’s favourite food. After the incident tortoise became a hot topic at the village. To celebrate the success there then sparked an idea to realise a dance form from a tortoise’s movement that can attract the public with a humorous and tickling performance. The Tortoise Dance at Pulau Rumput Village, Pekan, Pahang was brought in by Mr Iderus bin Ginuh from Alai Village in Rompin to Pekan in !964. At Jambu Village, Pekan this dance is based on the experience of a fisherman named Pak Ngah Hitam in Endau, Kuala Rompin who was amazed at a tortoise’s behaviour when trying to eat his bait. He then imitated the tortoise’s actions and stylised a dance resembling that of a tortoise movement with no link to the silat matial arts movement.

Awang Batil is a story-teller only found in the state of Perlis. Originally he was known with the name ‘Awang Belanga’ because he used the ‘belanga’ or cooking pot as his music accompaniment. As cooking pot is covered with charcoal, it was then replaced with ‘batil’ that is copper water container. Thus the story-teller is called ‘Awang Batil’. The storyteller also plays other instruments such as the violin, serunai, rebana and gendang terinai. In yesteryears, Awang Batil travelled village to village and from house to house, especially houses that held wedding feasts, to tell his stories. Awang Batil inherits lots of folk stories. A story is in series and with continuities that drags to many evenings. Comedy elements are inserted in his story-telling while beating the copper water container with his fingers. The most commonly told stories of the Awang Batil are Raja Dewa Lok, Raja Bersiung, Raja Berdarah Putih, Anak Lang Pak Belang, Jabat Jabit, Abu Nawas, Cerita Angan-Angan and Awang Ada Duit Semua Jadi. At certain Acts Awang Batil wears a mask to relate the character of a ‘Hulubalang’ (Soldier) and the ‘Wak Nujum’ (Fortune Teller). Both are used when suitable characters appear in the stories to attract the audiences’ attention. The mask is made of wood and usually painted red and white. At a house that holds wedding feast Awang Batil performs in a small hut with a height of three to four meters. The audiences sit encircling the hut listening to his stories with laughter.

Awang Batil is a story-teller only found in the state of Perlis. Originally he was known with the name ‘Awang Belanga’ because he used the ‘belanga’ or cooking pot as his music accompaniment. As cooking pot is covered with charcoal, it was then replaced with ‘batil’ that is copper water container. Thus the story-teller is called ‘Awang Batil’. The storyteller also plays other instruments such as the violin, serunai, rebana and gendang terinai. In yesteryears, Awang Batil travelled village to village and from house to house, especially houses that held wedding feasts, to tell his stories. Awang Batil inherits lots of folk stories. A story is in series and with continuities that drags to many evenings. Comedy elements are inserted in his story-telling while beating the copper water container with his fingers. The most commonly told stories of the Awang Batil are Raja Dewa Lok, Raja Bersiung, Raja Berdarah Putih, Anak Lang Pak Belang, Jabat Jabit, Abu Nawas, Cerita Angan-Angan and Awang Ada Duit Semua Jadi. At certain Acts Awang Batil wears a mask to relate the character of a ‘Hulubalang’ (Soldier) and the ‘Wak Nujum’ (Fortune Teller). Both are used when suitable characters appear in the stories to attract the audiences’ attention. The mask is made of wood and usually painted red and white. At a house that holds wedding feast Awang Batil performs in a small hut with a height of three to four meters. The audiences sit encircling the hut listening to his stories with laughter.

Awang Batil is a story-teller only found in the state of Perlis. Originally he was known with the name ‘Awang Belanga’ because he used the ‘belanga’ or cooking pot as his music accompaniment. As cooking pot is covered with charcoal, it was then replaced with ‘batil’ that is copper water container. Thus the story-teller is called ‘Awang Batil’. The storyteller also plays other instruments such as the violin, serunai, rebana and gendang terinai. In yesteryears, Awang Batil travelled village to village and from house to house, especially houses that held wedding feasts, to tell his stories. Awang Batil inherits lots of folk stories. A story is in series and with continuities that drags to many evenings. Comedy elements are inserted in his story-telling while beating the copper water container with his fingers. The most commonly told stories of the Awang Batil are Raja Dewa Lok, Raja Bersiung, Raja Berdarah Putih, Anak Lang Pak Belang, Jabat Jabit, Abu Nawas, Cerita Angan-Angan and Awang Ada Duit Semua Jadi. At certain Acts Awang Batil wears a mask to relate the character of a ‘Hulubalang’ (Soldier) and the ‘Wak Nujum’ (Fortune Teller). Both are used when suitable characters appear in the stories to attract the audiences’ attention. The mask is made of wood and usually painted red and white. At a house that holds wedding feast Awang Batil performs in a small hut with a height of three to four meters. The audiences sit encircling the hut listening to his stories with laughter.

Boria is a traditional arts form that is very popular in northern Peninsular Malaysia, linked to the Karbala event that is the killing of Saidina Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Boria, meaning ‘a game of merriment’, was established in Penang Island in the 19th century. There are parties that claim that Boria was brought by the Indian Muslims into Malaya through business activities in the 19th century. Boria is an entertainment channel combining sketches and dances as well as poetic songs led by a singer called ‘Tukang Karang’, literally translated as ‘Storyteller’. A performance has two segments that are sketches and songs. The dialogues for sketches are full of advice and insinuation while comedy elements are considered important. During a performance sometimes the audience can interact with the actors. The musical instruments are not specific; more important is the musicians’ ability to play rhythms that can accompany the Tukang Karang’s song. Among the instruments are violin, oud, drum, accordion, harmonica and guitar, while commonly used props are lamp, flag, kris, umbrella, tall decorative flowers and walking stick. Previously Boria’s costume is resemblance of the Mamak (Indian-Muslim) ethnic; green belt with sarong and fez to maintain ethnic identity. This identity is experiencing evolution since the 1970s with its costume made uniformed using bright colours with sequin to portray merriment. Nowadays, Boria performances are greatly influenced by western, Hindustani and pop rhythms.

Boria is a theatrical performance that is rather popular at the Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, especially at Penang Island. It has a combination of comedic sketch, song and dance segments and often feature popular songs rhythm such as twist, agogo, Hindi pop songs, pop and others. The performance often starts with the solo performance of tukang karang (storyteller), who shall sing and dance with a walking cane. The storyteller will be joined by a group of dancers—who are usually dressed up as sailors—and sing the song with dance movement in any group. Lyrics are carefully curated with comedy elements. The musical instruments used for Boria are violin, gambus, marwas, cymbal, gendang, accordion, harmonica and guitar. The props used include oil lamp, flag, keris, umbrella, manggar flower and walking cane.

Boria is a theatrical performance that is rather popular at the Northern region ofnPeninsular Malaysia, especially at Penang Island. It has a combination of comedicnsketch, song and dance segments and often feature popular songs rhythm such asntwist, agogo, Hindi pop songs, pop and others. The performance often starts withnthe solo performance of tukang karang (storyteller), who shall sing and dancenwith a walking cane. The storyteller will be joined by a group of dancers—whonare usually dressed up as sailors—and sing the song with dance movement in angroup. Lyrics are carefully curated with comedy elements. The musicalninstruments used for Boria are violin, gambus, marwas, cymbal, gendang,naccordion, harmonica and guitar. The props used include oil lamp, flag, kris,numbrella, manggar flower and walking cane.

The earliest mention of the pattala (pa'tala:) is in the Bago Kalyani Sima lithic inscription of A.D. 1479 enumerating the presents exchanged with the king of present day Sri Lanka. It was mentioned by Court official Twinthin Mingyi in 1798 as one of the six instruments of the anyein (non- dramatic dance and comedy) ensemble. F.A Neilly, author of a book on Thailand, wrote " The Thai xylophone is derived from the Myanmar xylophone which the Myanmar play exceedingly well". Thai Research Society Vol 69 Part 1-2 of January- July 1951 carried long article by USA Kent University School of Music Terry E Miller and Music Department of Shrinaken University researcher Jaran Chaichonperut. War between the two countries made cultural exchange of musical instruments. There is evidence to show that the xylophone was extant earlier in Myanmar than in Thailand.\nEarlier, softwood was used for the mallets. Now they are made of teak, padauk, cutch, yindai or pyinkado. The mallets are eight inches long with a soft knob of cotton, felt or velvet at the tip. The resonance box is usually made of teak and decorated with pieces of glass of various colors and gilt. Earlier the box constituted one body. Now it is made collapsible for easier transportation. Thought the slats are generally bamboo, there can also be brass or iron. The Myanmar pattala is tuned to the diatonic scale. However, Myanmar chau' pau' and hni pau' instead of being equivalent to international E and B notes are a semitone each Lower. The Myanmar pattala covers one octave below middle C and two octaves above thereby encompassing altogether three octaves. The Myanmar pattala is composed of the slats, the resonance box and the mallets. The beginner is trained to first play left and right strikers alternately in the "maun nin:" method of play. Then the student is trained to strike the mallets simultaneously using the "zoun" method. Traditionally, the player tearns to keep to the timing beats by playing the short music piece beginning "htan taya tei: shin" . They the player is taught the combined "htan", the combined "dun", the combined "djan" and the detached "djan".

The earliest mention of the pattala (pa'tala:) is in the Bago Kalyani Sima lithic inscription of A.D. 1479 enumerating the presents exchanged with the king of present day Sri Lanka. It was mentioned by Court official Twinthin Mingyi in 1798 as one of the six instruments of the anyein (non- dramatic dance and comedy) ensemble. F.A Neilly, author of a book on Thailand, wrote " The Thai xylophone is derived from the Myanmar xylophone which the Myanmar play exceedingly well". Thai Research Society Vol 69 Part 1-2 of January- July 1951 carried long article by USA Kent University School of Music Terry E Miller and Music Department of Shrinaken University researcher Jaran Chaichonperut. War between the two countries made cultural exchange of musical instruments. There is evidence to show that the xylophone was extant earlier in Myanmar than in Thailand.\nEarlier, softwood was used for the mallets. Now they are made of teak, padauk, cutch, yindai or pyinkado. The mallets are eight inches long with a soft knob of cotton, felt or velvet at the tip. The resonance box is usually made of teak and decorated with pieces of glass of various colors and gilt. Earlier the box constituted one body. Now it is made collapsible for easier transportation. Thought the slats are generally bamboo, there can also be brass or iron. The Myanmar pattala is tuned to the diatonic scale. However, Myanmar chau' pau' and hni pau' instead of being equivalent to international E and B notes are a semitone each Lower. The Myanmar pattala covers one octave below middle C and two octaves above thereby encompassing altogether three octaves. The Myanmar pattala is composed of the slats, the resonance box and the mallets. The beginner is trained to first play left and right strikers alternately in the "maun nin:" method of play. Then the student is trained to strike the mallets simultaneously using the "zoun" method. Traditionally, the player tearns to keep to the timing beats by playing the short music piece beginning "htan taya tei: shin" . They the player is taught the combined "htan", the combined "dun", the combined "djan" and the detached "djan".

Menora, also known as Nora Chatri, is a folk dance-drama tradition practiced by the Thai community in the north Malaysian states of Kelantan, and Kedah, as well as throughout southern Thailand. A Menora performance incorporates stylised dance, singing, comedy, and drama. Ritual elements are strong in this performance tradition, which is often performed on special occasions such as Buddhist temple ceremonies and the initiation or coming of age rites of a dancer. Menora is also held at community gatherings such as weddings and public festivals.The word Menora derives from a Buddhist jataka tale about Menora, a heavenly bird-princess who falls in love with a human prince, Phra Suthon. This tale forms the basis of the tradition’s main dance sequence in which the principal dancer, as Phra Suthon, performs a courting dance with Menora and her heavenly sisters. Dance movements are characterised by backward-bent fingers and outstretched arms, alternating subtle and sudden gestures that are said to reflect those of a mythical bird. The opening dance is followed by a lakon (dramatic sequence), during which various stories are performed by the principal dancer, a pair of clowns and supporting actors. In Kelantan, the Menora has incorporated many characteristics of Kelantanese Malay traditions, particularly the Mak Yong. The musical instruments of Menora usually comprise of gendang, geduk, gedumbak, gong, canang, kesi, wooden clappers, and serunai.

Ghazal Parti is a combined performance of music, songs, dance and comedy that obtained its influences from the Middle East. Its songs have elements of Arabian rhythm with lyrics in Arabic and Malay. The word ‘Parti’ means the ‘merriment of the ghazal performance’. This arts form expanded in the states of Penang Island, Kedah and Perak in Peninsular Malaysia. Ghazal Parti is often performed at wedding events in the village and at official ones in the city. In wedding events the performance starts from early evening to midnight and sometimes stretches to dawn. A performance in a wedding event is inside a reception hall that faces the newly-wed couple’s house so that the couple’s family members and guests can watch the show. There are eight to 12 musicians depending on the availability of musical instruments that are an accordion, two violins, an oud, a flute, bass guitar, drum, hand-held drum, bongo, tambourine, and maracas. The singers possess academic background in Arabic; some studied at private or public religious schools. The songs are Arabian in Arabic rhythms originating from Egypt. In the beginning the dancers were men in ladies’ clothing wearing scarf, batik sarong and baju kurung with thin make-up, as ladies were not allowed to become dancers. In the 1950s there appeared dancers among the transgender. Another component in Ghazal Parti is comedy that functions to fill in the break time of the musicians and singers. In a performance they rest twice to thrice and it is at this juncture the space is utilized by the comedians bringing themes of current issues.