MALAYSIA HOMESTAY-TRADITIONAL DANCE

TRADITIONAL MALAY DANCES ARE INCREDIBLY DIVERSE DUE TO LOCAL ETHNIC 
MIXES AND REGIONAL INFLUENCES.

A traditional dance accompanied by lively music might also be arranged for visitors during their stay in kampong. Resplendently attired in their colourful costumes  villages mesmerize visitors with their fluid  style of dancing, which is performed to the beat of traditional musical instruments.

The excitement begins with the villagers’performance. 

You will be encouraged to participate as well, learning the fastpaced but simple dance steps. After a little practice you will be synchronizing  your moves easily to the beat of the music.Although there are several types of cultural peformances each kampong, the type of dance and music differ, as each state has its own unique offerings.

The most upbeat and popular form of traditional dance is the joget dance. Normally performed  at joyous occasions like weddings, the joget dance involves pairs of men and women performing swift and graceful movements.It is traditionally accompanied by a gamelan orchestra, which includes instruments like the violin, rebana  and gong. It is relatively easy to learn the basic steps and you will soon be enjoying this  dance too.

The other commonly performed dance is the “makyong”.It primarily involves female dancers in a folk and drama. This ancient court entertainment combines romance, humour and operatic singing

Under dim lighting, flickering candle flames seemingly dance in harmony with the music. This is the tarian lilin (candle dance).Holding little saucers, dancers with lit candles execute their moves with agility, inverting the saucers without extinguishing the flames. This unique dance originated from the state of Negeri Sembilan.

Popular in homestay villages in the state of Johor,” kuda kepong” is another exciting and hypnotic traditional dance, which involves a group of 9 men riding 2 dimensional horses made of hide or pleated ratten. The dance depicts the early battles fought by 9 Javanese men as they helped spread the influence of Islam in the region.

Whether in the north or south, east coast or west coast, a homestay visit offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture.