Foreign influence, particularly from the West, in the mid-16th century led to the introduction of Western musical instruments such as the violin and accordion. Examples of Asli songs include Sembawa Balik, Pasir Roboh, Timang Banjar and Sri Siantan.īefore the introduction of Western musical instruments, indigenous musical instruments such as the rebab (a string instrument), gong, rebana or gendang bebano (a framed hand drum) are used. In Sumatra, they are known as senandung and are derived from local soulful poetic verses projecting deep emotions such as love or sorrow. Every movement of the Asli dance starts and ends with the gong beat in the count of eights.Īsli songs are still popular across the regions of Malay culture in Sumatra, the Malay Peninsular, Singapore, the Riau Archipelago and Borneo. There are numerous hand movements and poses, each with a different significance. Its dance style is graceful and elegant as it depicts the charming nature of Malay ladies. Its beat and rhythm is slow-paced yet intricate and well defined. The dance movements and its songs can be traced back to the early Malay Kingdoms in the 14th century. The term Asli, meaning "original", is the forerunner of the four basic genres of Malay dance. Asli and Inang dances are categorised as the "original" Malay dances whereas Joget and Zapin are categorized as "adopted" Malay dances. The four basic genres of Malay dance are Asli, Inang, Joget and Zapin. The various forms or styles of Malay dance are further categorized by its beats (rentak) and rhythm (irama).
![instrument zapin melayu instrument zapin melayu](https://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsPictures/2021/11/11/41af35c9-31fd-4780-a525-2899e690d476_top.jpg)
The "adopted" Malay dances are influenced by foreign cultures due to political and historical events.
![instrument zapin melayu instrument zapin melayu](https://www.northkayong.indonesia-tourism.com/images/silat_melayu_dance.jpg)
The "original" Malay dances are indigenous to the Malay region, encompassing Sumatra, the Malay Peninsular, Singapore, the Riau Archipelago and Borneo, and its origins can be traced back to the early Malay civilizations. Generally, Malay dances are divided into two main categories which are the "original" Malay dances and "adopted" Malay dances. It depicts the true nature of the Malay people and their way of life. Malay DanceTarian Melayu or Malay dance portrays the customs or adat resam and culture or budaya of the Malays.