Kuda Kepang
dance is a type of Javanese folk dance, which is also quite popular with the
Malaysian Johor community.
There are
various opinions about the origins of this dance:
1.
There
are opinions that relate to the origin of Kuda Kepang with "Wali
Songo" who lived in Java during the 15th century. In an effort to spread
Islam in the interior of Java, Wali Songo faces with the difficulties to reach
the people there. He got the idea of dancing while horseback riding. In the
transition period, the horses changed with leather or bamboo to replace the
real horse.
2.
Some
people may think the origin of this dance has to do with Saidina Ali. In an
attempt to mimic the army steps of Saidina Ali, the Kuda Kepang dance was
formed.
3.
Other
opinion linking the origin of the dance with paradise. A heavenly horse named
Kuda Sembrani descended on to Java to search for its lost friends. After seeing
them, they dance in pleasure.
According
to belief, Kudang Kepang is governed by supernatural forces. Therefore, a
special ceremony needs to be performed before the actual performance. If this
requirement is neglected, then untoward things will happen to the players and
the spectators.
The rite
begins with the spirit worship rituals. Then the bomoh will perform a ritual
for opening circuit and that may last for an hour. Below prayer is normally
recited:
"Assalamualaikum
Ya Nini
Dayang, Kiki Danyang Seng manggoni kawasan iki.
Aku jalok
sawap pandanganne.
Yo, yo. ya
Allah, ya Allah.
Aku
dikongkon bukak gelanggang iki.
Biso podo
selamat kabeh.
Wong seng
main jarangsemberani iki.
Kabeh sak
enengi.
Ya yo, ya
Allah, ya Allah".
Nini Dayang
and Kiki Dayang here refer to local spirits.
After that
the shaman will stand in the middle of the arena, raise his head towards the
sky and recite the below prayer:
"Ya
Nini Dayang, Kiki Danyang
Seng
manggone awang-awangan
Seng
jenenge
Jaran
Semberani
Aku njalok
turun semurup
Supoyo seng
main
Jaran
Semberani iki
Podo
selamet kabeh
Yo yo.
Bi `s-mi
`llahi `r-rahmani `r-rahim
Kerusi belakangku,
mutu jalil dipangku
Kadimu
kananku, kan juga naiiranya empat
Ojo
merosak, ojo membinasa ahli kumpulan aku".
Shaman will
also provide a "meal" to "guardian". Dish is coconut, rice,
ripe bananas, incense, white cloth, needles, thread, white chicken, rice, eggs
and potpourri. Minimum number of dancers is nine and the maximum 15 people.
These dancers usually consist of men only.
One
interesting happening in this dance is that some dancers will "naik
sheiks" (drunk) or "possessed" after the show officially ended.
Those who are "naik sheikhs" would make strange gestures that could
not be done by the sane. For example, jumping as high as six or seven feet,
scaling on a smooth bamboo or wood or a piece of string, also peels the coconut
with teeth. When the dancers are "naik sheikhs", the music
accompanying dancers will need to play continuously. If not, the dancers will
became angry and attack the players of the music.
When the
movements of the dancers are getting wild and cannot be controlled, the shaman
will read the mantra to the crown or their ears after they were apprehend and pressed
to the ground by competent guards.
The shaman
will recite the below prayer:
"Bi
`s-mi `llahi `r-rahmani `r-rahim
Malaikat
wadi wadi manikam
Sing jogo
darang tulang
Kulit
tulang
Pulih podo
bahaya
Bukan aku
kabeh jampi
Bukan aku
punya tangkaldengan kalimah sudah tiba berkat doa
La ilaha
Illa `llahMuhammad `r-rasulullah".
After that
they will recover in a state of fatigue. It is believed that apart from entertainment,
Kuda Kepang can also be used to treat rare diseases such as possessed by ghosts
or souls of the dead and so forth.
It is
believed that the Kuda Kepang is to be stored properly. If placed in an
inappropriate place, the spirit of the Kuda Kepang will run amok and damaging
future shows.
It is
forbidden to wear red in the fear that this might anger the spirits, or to
display any mirrors or glasses, for the fear that the dancers might break them
and eat the broken pieces.
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