Zapin
Zapin is one of the most popular dance and musical forms in traditional Malay performing arts. Dance movements are choreographed to melodies, which are performed using musical instruments such as the gambus, accordion, and rebana.
It is believed to have been introduced by Persian and Arab Muslim missionaries from the Middle East to the Malay Archipelago around the fourteenth century, where back then only males were allowed to perform; nowadays, female dancers are included. It used to be performed exclusively for religious ceremonies but through the years it has become a form of traditional entertainment, hence the participation of female dancers is allowed.
Instruments
The dancers usually perform in pairs and are accompanied by musicians playing the accordion, violin, gambus, gendang, marwas/marawis, and rebana.Distributions
Presently, zapin remains an integral part of the regional Malay performing arts scene, particularly in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore.In Malaysia, Zapin is mostly associated with the Malaysian southern state of Johor.
In Indonesia, Zapin is mostly associated and classified as part of Malay cultures especially in terms of traditional dances and traditions in Malay-populated areas in Sumatra, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung Islands, and Kalimantan.
Types
There are numerous types of Zapin, and each type varies by the movement and style of dance:- Zapin 12 Kuala Kampar
- Zapin Api
- Zapin Anak Ayam
- Zapin Asli
- Zapin Banjar
- Zapin Batuah
- Zapin Bedana
- Zapin Bengkalis
- Zapin Betawi
- Zapin Brunei
- Zapin Bujang
- Zapin Bujang Marindu
- Zapin Carita
- Zapin Cek Esah
- Zapin Dana
- Zapin Dana-Dana
- Zapin Dana-Dani
- Zapin Dana Sarah
- Zapin Dara
- Zapin Deli
- Zapin Diang Marindu
- Zapin Dua Saudara
- Zapin Duo
- Zapin Empat-Empat
- Zapin Eroh
- Zapin Galuh Langkar South Kalimantan
- Zapin Gambus
- Zapin Genjoh
- Zapin Ghalet
- Zapin Hadrah
- Zapin Istana
- Zapin Jambi
- Zapin Kaltara
- Zapin Kamang
- Zapin Kampong Bolak
- Zapin Kampung Manggis
- Zapin Kasih dan Budi
- Zapin Kepri
- Zapin Kerinci
- Zapin Keris
- Zapin Kinsat Suara Siam
- Zapin Kipas
- Zapin Kores
- Zapin Kuala
- Zapin Kute
- Zapin Lancang Kuning
- Zapin Langkah
- Zapin Langkah Bujur Serong
- Zapin Langkah Penghibur Pengantin
- Zapin Langkah Simpang
- Zapin Lapis Batu Putih
- Zapin Lembut
- Zapin Lenga
- Zapin Lenggang Banua
- Zapin Lenggok Gambus
- Zapin Mabuk Kepayang
- Zapin Maharani
- Zapin Mandiling
- Zapin Marhum Pekan
- Zapin Massal
- Zapin Melayu
- Zapin Melayu Johor
- Zapin Melayu Pontianak
- Zapin Meskom
- Zapin Nelayan
- Zapin Padang Changkat
- Zapin Padang Sari
- Zapin Palembang
- Zapin Parit Lengkong
- Zapin Parit Mastar
- Zapin Pasanggrahan
- Zapin Pat Lipat
- Zapin Payung
- Zapin Pecah Dua Belas
- Zapin Pekajang
- Zapin Pekan
- Zapin Penyengat
- Zapin Persebatian
- Zapin Pesisir
- Zapin Pintal Tali Sukadana
- Zapin Pisau
- Zapin Pulau
- Zapin Putar Alam
- Zapin Rantauan
- Zapin Rao
- Zapin Rindu-Rindu
- Zapin Rotan
- Zapin Salor
- Zapin Sebat
- Zapin Seberang
- Zapin Sekaki
- Zapin Selat Panjang
- Zapin Selendang
- Zapin Sengarong
- Zapin Senggayong
- Zapin Sentak Kamang
- Zapin Serdang
- Zapin Seri Bunian
- Zapin Siak
- Zapin Siak Bermadah
- Zapin Siak Sri Indrapura
- Zapin Sigam
- Zapin Sindang
- Zapin Singapura
- Zapin Sisit
- Zapin Susun Sirih
- Zapin Tahtul
- Zapin Tali
- Zapin Tali Bui
- Zapin Tamiang
- Zapin Tanjung Labuh
- Zapin Tembung
- Zapin Tembung Pendek
- Zapin Tempurung
- Zapin Tenglu
- Zapin Tidung Ulu
- Zapin Tuan Haji
- Zapin Tuan Syarif
- Zapin Tongga