DANCE OF "MEK MULONG"
The mystical art of the "Mek Mulong" still survives in the small state of Kedah. It is an inherited art brought down by the Siamese into the border towns of Kedah. The families who inherited this beautiful culture still exist in the said state. The dance lasts from three to five days climaxing on the last day, whereby the spirit of "Mek Mulong" will transcend on to the dancers. The actual dance is performed only by males, six acting out of the male roles and one acting out the female roles of Mek Mulong.
Every year the dance must be performed by the actors in the family. Not everyone can learn this simple yet difficult dance. Only members of the said family has the right to perform it. Should the leader of this family decide not to perform this dance for any year, the family will face certain mishap or disaster.
Before the dance is performed, a stage has to be constructed. The building is called "bangsal". It has a roof but no solid walls. One face of the walls is bigger than the opposite end whereas the side walls are of the same size and shape. The front of the stage is the smaller end. There is a table-like structure to put seven vases of water which has been charmed and other food-stuffs for worshipping purposes. There is a special "tiang seni" in the middle which holds the main spirit of the whole dance. The actors will pay tribute to this part of the stage before any performance commences. The actors and the audience will sit facing each other in a semi-circle. The center forms an empty space for the actors to dance or to go in trance.
The performance begins at about eight o'clock in the evening with the reading of "Jampi" or incantation recitings by the "bomoh". Then there is a singing and chanting session relating to the chronology of the Mek Mulong art.
The lady or Mek Mulong is said to be the beautiful daughter of an old and religious man who was interested in reliving the art of traditional dance. His daughter was introduced into this art when she was born and she later formed her troupe which recreated all the dances whereby she played the leading role. Two handsome suitors wooed here and asked for her hand. The two suitors had to fight each other and the winner was a handsome Siamese prince who loved her and her dance.
After the singing-cum-chanting session, the main actors will art out the sequences and to the mock traditional dances like the "Mak Yong", "Boria", "Inang" and so on. The actors wear masks to show the parts they play. The dance will go on for a few days. It usually ends at midnight only to be continued again the following night. It will climax on the last day whereby the transformation of the dancers can be seen. For this performance, only the relatives are allowed to witness the ceremony. Outsiders are advised to go home, anyone who stays does it at his or her own risks.
As the beat goes on, the tension mounts in the area. The dancers will go into a trance and perform incredible feats. The spirit of Mek Mulong transcends on to them and take over their personalities. While they are in trance, they will advice the family as to how to improve their harvest, initiate, the young ones into the family tradition and even select and point out members of the family who are going to inherit the dance. The actors faint after such exertions, only to be revived by the "bomoh" in attendance.
As we can see this dance only involves members of the said "Mek Mulong" family. It can be seen as means of holding the family unity together in times of work and play. This unique tradition will be passed on to the youngsters whether they like it or not. Science and technology will not be able to eradicate this tradition.
MFBHH 5S1
Every year the dance must be performed by the actors in the family. Not everyone can learn this simple yet difficult dance. Only members of the said family has the right to perform it. Should the leader of this family decide not to perform this dance for any year, the family will face certain mishap or disaster.
Before the dance is performed, a stage has to be constructed. The building is called "bangsal". It has a roof but no solid walls. One face of the walls is bigger than the opposite end whereas the side walls are of the same size and shape. The front of the stage is the smaller end. There is a table-like structure to put seven vases of water which has been charmed and other food-stuffs for worshipping purposes. There is a special "tiang seni" in the middle which holds the main spirit of the whole dance. The actors will pay tribute to this part of the stage before any performance commences. The actors and the audience will sit facing each other in a semi-circle. The center forms an empty space for the actors to dance or to go in trance.
The performance begins at about eight o'clock in the evening with the reading of "Jampi" or incantation recitings by the "bomoh". Then there is a singing and chanting session relating to the chronology of the Mek Mulong art.
The lady or Mek Mulong is said to be the beautiful daughter of an old and religious man who was interested in reliving the art of traditional dance. His daughter was introduced into this art when she was born and she later formed her troupe which recreated all the dances whereby she played the leading role. Two handsome suitors wooed here and asked for her hand. The two suitors had to fight each other and the winner was a handsome Siamese prince who loved her and her dance.
After the singing-cum-chanting session, the main actors will art out the sequences and to the mock traditional dances like the "Mak Yong", "Boria", "Inang" and so on. The actors wear masks to show the parts they play. The dance will go on for a few days. It usually ends at midnight only to be continued again the following night. It will climax on the last day whereby the transformation of the dancers can be seen. For this performance, only the relatives are allowed to witness the ceremony. Outsiders are advised to go home, anyone who stays does it at his or her own risks.
As the beat goes on, the tension mounts in the area. The dancers will go into a trance and perform incredible feats. The spirit of Mek Mulong transcends on to them and take over their personalities. While they are in trance, they will advice the family as to how to improve their harvest, initiate, the young ones into the family tradition and even select and point out members of the family who are going to inherit the dance. The actors faint after such exertions, only to be revived by the "bomoh" in attendance.
As we can see this dance only involves members of the said "Mek Mulong" family. It can be seen as means of holding the family unity together in times of work and play. This unique tradition will be passed on to the youngsters whether they like it or not. Science and technology will not be able to eradicate this tradition.
MFBHH 5S1
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