Zapin

Zapin ( Jawi زافين ) is derived from the Arabic dance form in Islamic culture of the southern Malaysian state of Johor, the Indonesian province of Jambi, Sumatra and Singapore. The group dances are performed in the secular or religious occasions and on theater stages.

Historical Development

Already in the first centuries AD, landed sailing ships from Arab countries on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Arab Muslims exaggerated coin finds in coastal settlements from the 9th century, according to trade with Chinese merchants. To 1414 the Hindu Regent Paramesvara, founder of the Kingdom of Malacca was converted to Islam. The Sultanate of Malacca became the center of the East- West trade on the peninsula. The original Arabic lute Gambus was introduced later than in the 15th century by traders and Muslim missionaries, many of whom came from the Hadramaut region südostjemenitischen. Because of its origin Gambus had a special meaning to the faithful; he became the first major instrument in Zapin orchestra. Also at the spread of Islam and the Arab culture in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore in the 19th century had a considerable share Yemenis. Then came the men from the region of the prophet, they were highly regarded by the population. Other influences on the Zapin dance originating from India. The sooner only under the Malay population maintained with Arabic roots dance style has spread beyond his core region Johor addition to Singapore and Sumatra and developed in Malaysia to a national art form.

Zapin Dance Events found in earlier dynasties same place as in villages. In the courtyards of the Sultanate of Riau - Lingga Islands and Zapin - dances were performed in the 16th century.

In the 1930s and 1940s the Zapin dance found its way into the popular Malay opera Bangsawan, had developed in the 19th century or early 20th century from the Indian cultural import of the Parsi theater ( wayang parsi ). By Bangsawan the Zapin dances were known to a wider circle of people. On the further spread along the west coast of Malaysia also cultural festivals had an effect on which the next most popular, originating from the time of the Portuguese spice trade Joget dance form in pentas joget dance called halls also Zapin dances were seen. Other dances that were performed together with Zapin on theater stages, the string of the lute ( rebab ), frame drums and gongs are musically accompanied Ronggeng, the Mak Inang and dancing from western theater programs. In the 1950s, the Zapin dance finally came out of his village setting, when he was brought by movie stars in the movie theaters.

Forms of Zapin

In the group dance originally listed only by men today may also assist women. There are two forms of Zapin: The Zapin Arab Dance ( Tarian malay Zapin Arab) is an energetic movement rich dance that is mainly performed by the ethnic Arab community in Johor. Characteristic features are the two rows, in which the dancers face, pushing forward or shift to the rear. The accompanying music in four- four time is accented with rhythmic stamping of feet on the fourth clock. The singer plays himself Gambus or the Arabic oud, the interwoven rhythmic structures produce Arabic frame drums ( Rebana ) and small doubt celled cylindrical drums ( mirwas ). The singer sings in Arabic or Malay. Formation changes are indicated by the drummers that come to mind as a background choir with a refrain. In Zapin Melayu high jumps and quick steps of the Arab Zapin are reduced in favor of more controlled and less intense expression patterns of movement.

Zapin dances are listed next to the other, Arab-influenced dance theater Hamdolok as popular entertainment at weddings and other family celebrations. In the religious context, they have for centuries been part of the Islamic holiday calendar. These include the birthday of the Prophet ( Maulud Nabi ), the feast of breaking the fast ( Hari Raya Puasa ), the festival of the return of pilgrims from the Hajj ( Hari Raja Haji ) and the Islamic New Year in the month of Muharram ( Maal Hijrah ).

The musical instruments used an Indian influence is evident. The traditional instruments to accompany singing at village events are in addition to the Gambus Violin ( biola ), Indian harmonium or accordion, three or four small drums mirwas ( Marwa ) and 48 centimeters in length bigger, equally questionable celled barrel drum dok. The beating of the drum players overlap and together create a complex rhythm patterns. In urban orchestras and on stage events, the same instruments are used, however, be enhanced by the wooden flute ( seruling ), running vertically held frame drum Rebana and a hump Gong.

Music can accompany the vocals or instrumental. A Gambus opened with a solo played freely rhythmic taksim, followed by the sung melody with drum interludes ( Kopak ) alternates, the conclusion of the rates on wainab or tahtim in a new rhythm. The melodies are generally based on hexatonischen or heptatonic scales.

A form of Zapin in the province of Lampung is the Tari bedana called Islamic style of dance, which is accompanied by several Gambus and drums.

In Brunei, the Malay in the old meter Pantun sung songs are accompanied with a Gambus, where the singer can improvise their own verses in this meter. Zapin dances with sung to Pantun verses hot there Zapin Brunei.