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purpose
ICH Elements 2
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The Sewang or Jenulang Dance
The Sewang or also called Jenulang Dance is one of the traditional dances of the Orang Asli (Indigeneous) community of the Semai and Temiar ethnics in the state of Pahang. This dance combines the elements of dance, music and songs with 18 dancers or more of both sexes, according to the suitability of the stage area. The dance functions as entertainment, ‘opening up of love’, for marriage, appeasing the spirit of paddy and for healing. This dance is led by an elderly man called Tok Halak, who is also the main singer. The dancers repeat every line their leader sings and move in circle while stomping their feet on the floor. They are accompanied by a traditional musical instrument called ‘Buluh Cetong’ made of bamboo that is stomped on a hard wood. There are four dance formations depending on the dance function. Firstly, the dancers are dancing in one line. Secondly, the dancers are dancing in a circle while moving clockwise or anti-clockwise. Thirdly, the dance is performed in couples of both sexes that sometimes holding hands. Fourthly, in groups. For the purpose of happiness, Sewang is danced after paddy harvesting, or receiving the return of a sibling that works far away or the arrival of a new year, at wedding ceremonies and the like that has elements of bliss. For circumcision ceremony the dance is called ‘Ajok’. For healing purposes the dance is performed in the evening. Outsiders are not allowed to ascend the house where the dance is perfomed until the dance is over.
Malaysia -
The Dance of the Semelai Indigenous People - Balai
The Balai Dance is inherited by the Orang Asli (Indigenous) of Semelai ethnicity in Bera District, Pahang, Malaysia. In this dance there are a number of songs and kind of dances that refer to a particular celebration or purpose. For example, like ceremonies of merriment, weddings, circumcisions, and for the purpose of healing. This dance is usually performed in a house or unwalled hut called ‘Balai’, just a floor made of bamboo. Until now this dance is still inherited by all ages of the Orang Asli community of Semelai ethnic at the Bukit Gemuruh Orang Asli Village, Bera, Pahang.
Malaysia