Mak Yong

If it were not for this task (blog writing about Mak Yong), I would never know about Mak Yong dance the way I do now. Before this, all I know about Mak Yong is that it is a form of dance that was originated in Kelantan. But after doing some research about it in the internet, i got to know more about Mak Yong dance. I found out that, Mak yong is actually originated in Patani (southern Thailand) and spread into Kelantan, Malaysia. After reading all the information about Mak Yong, I think that this dance must be really unique and interesting. Why else that even UNESCO would proclaimed the Mak Yong as one of the 'old heritage' in the Oral and Intangible Heritage and Humanity category in 2005! Mak Yong dance was considered as a 'masterpiece' in performing arts. Programmes were being planned on how they could preserve this valuable performing arts. One of it is through international cultural conference in which all of the masterpiece proclaimed performing arts will be performed so people from all over the world could see it. But the irony is that, while the foreigners giving Mak Yong the most highly recognition of any performing arts could possibly get, sadly, Mak Yong didn't get the same treatment from us, the local, Malaysians. Well, maybe not all Malaysians. I know there are people out there who work hard to preserve this ancient heritage.
I remember we were also asked by Dr. edwin to find out the reason of why this dance was banned in Kelantan by the state government in 1991. So, according to the article that I read in the internet, it is because there are some elements that was associated with the dance that is against Islam. since then, mak yong dance was banned from being performed publicly. However, nowadays Mak Yong is actually still being performed in Kelantan though it was performed in a smaller group and only being performed during special occasion for instance for tourist viewing. Even though I never see the dance in real life, I hope someday I'll get to see it. And to those people who worked hard to keep the existance of this precious performing arts, I wish you all the best.