Learning The Good Virtues Through Traditional Dances

By Sakini Mohd Said KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- One might wonder if an individual can learn anything from cultural dances since most people view dances as a part of a nation’s cultural heritage and an element of social entertainment. Are graceful movements and steps of the dancers only meant to complement occasions, and there is nothing to convince anyone to master this art form. And what more when most parents are more preoccupied with filling up their children's growing up years with academic itineraries, with some sporting activities in the sidelines. However, many fail to see that the traditional dances are the embodiment of value systems and discipline, culture and music. They in fact express many of the exemplary human values, and learning them means we will be learning all the values and cultural elements behind the dance. THE TRUTH BEHIND THESE DANCES "These traditional dances are in fact unique and epitomize the noble values unique to a community, starting with respecting the dance master and fellow dancers. "The dance routine helps instill self-discipline and espouses traditional heritage values at the highest level," said Dr Joseph Gonzales, a choreographer and a renowned dancer. But then why parents are at a loss in finding the best approach in their children's character building? Why not consider traditional dances as one of the approaches? This predicament has its roots in the wide spread misconception prevailing in the younger generation today, that traditional dances are not trendy, and better suits the uncles and aunties. This misconception is further complicated by the prevailing open attitude towards the Western culture. And this is where the mistake lies. The younger generation have been adapting wholeheartedly the foreign culture, with the end result being the decline of the societal values. In an attempt to reverse this trend, the National Cultural Arts and Heritage Academy's (Aswara) Dance Faculty has put forth the nation's dance heritage to help mould the aspired character. Students at the faculty have to learn and dance Zapin, Inang and others not only perform and help preserve the dance heritage but also discover the values espoused by the dance, said Gonzales who is also the dean of the Dance Faculty to Bernama. BUILD A PERSON’S CHARACTER It may seem far-fetched when one says the traditional dances can help in fostering noble values and character building of an individual. And while the dancers flex their body in accordance with the rhythm of the music, this brings us to the next question how is one going to interpret the values espoused by the dance? The answer on the real lessons behind this traditional dance may not be obvious for the average spectator. It takes one who is in the know to appreciate the meanings and values expoused by the particular dance. Take for example the Zapin. As for the average spectator the dance has Arabic origins from Hadramaut, in Yemen, and the dance steps has been adapted to our culture. The songs accompanying Zapin have their roots in Islam, they promote the exemplary human life and character, said a lecturer at the Dance Faculty Mohd Seth Hamzah. In fact, during the 14th century this dance routine is normally performed after the Isyak prayer at the surau or mosque grounds and it is rich in noble human values. "In dancing the Zapin, the delicate and tender movements highlight the noble human character. As for example bowing down, swinging gently and the gentle steps of the women dancing all highlight the proper demeanour," he said. So, Zapin also helps to inculcate noble values that contribute to character building, he said. THERE IS NO END This is the beautiful message hidden in the dances, expressed through the graceful movements and steps of the dancers. Apart from providing entertainment, traditional dances help to inculcate proper values in the younger generation. Therefore, efforts must be taken in creating interest in this group to learn and appreciate this national heritage. Aswara is also doing its best in achieving this and in keeping up with its motto, 'moving forward with tradition'. In line with this it organised a programme entitled 'Main Zapin' for three days effective March 1. Presented by students and dance masters of the Dance Faculty, Rector of Aswara Prof Dr Mohamad Hatta Azad Khan noted that the programme, went beyond entertainment, highlighting the noble values espoused by the dance to the audience. It also helped to bring the dance masters and students closer. "In this show, we saw how the students danced with their masters. This is to show the respect shown by the students on their masters. "Apart from this, the programme highlighted traditional dances unknown to many to ensure they do not become extinct," he said. Heritage dances like the 'Terinai' from Perlis, Tari Inai (Kelantan), Joget Gamelan (Terengganu), Dabus (Perak) should be studied in depth and that is why students of Aswara have to conduct field studies to explore the heritage. Though learning the traditional dances are compulsory, yet there is nothing to stop the faculty's students from learning modern and contemporary dances. After all there are many things that one can learn from the dances other than the graceful steps and movements. -- BERNAMA