Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @11:21 PM
Just some time ago, Mr Azahar showed us a video on kuda kepang. It is sort of a malay traditional dance, which started with the women dancing with 2-D horses made of pleated bamboo. (And thus the word "kuda") The music sounded like gongs or malay drums, I'm not too sure, and it had a regular beat. The dancers wear colourful traditional Javanese clothing.
After that, it was the men's turn. It was basically the same at first, just that after a while, they had to inhale in certain fumes that made them go into a trance. The men became somewhat "possessed by the spirits" and then were literally... tortured. D:
They willingly ate grass and glass, stepping on glass shards too. What's more was that they were whipped by men. Oh the horror. Just looking at this made me feel slightly sick and scared. They really seemed to be as if a part of the horse, and did not really react much. But fortunately, they could not feel anything as they were in a trance. WOW. (Imagine doing open heart surgery without anaesthetic. o.O) And these possessed poeple would chase after you if you were wearing red too. So check your attire when watching Kuda kepang.(:
Then after a while, they were brought out of the trance with a man somewhat "massaging" the guy on the horse. Rather forcefully in fact. This was to drive out the spirits in his body. The video clip ended here. After this, we discussed about the video, and then all of us finally realised that the men were in a trance. 'Cos I was thinking, "why would people willingly make themselves get tortured?!" Watching this video gave me a slight headache. ._.
Anyway, such dances usually happen in weddings. I personally believe that it should be forbidden, as it might cause hurt to the dancers and the spectators. The more normal traditional one should be preserved, however this form is just plain gory. The dancers are not supposed to draw blood from these acts of stepping on glass, but if it not done properly, he would ooze blood. I wonder how people can actually do such things without getting bodily hurt, it's just not scientifically possible. If not, is pain and hurt relative? Or does it happen only if you anticipate it?
I haven't seen any of such performances live, and there is much controversy over whether it should be banned. That's 'bout it, and I'll try to blog at least once per week. (:
Labels: Culture
Friday, September 26, 2008 @8:13 AM
Hello to all blog readers, this is my RSP blog, aka blogfolio! (: Watch out for further blog posts on the RSP session and out-of-school events. I might also blog about certain issues in southeast asia that interest me.
(Sorry for the lack of design on the blog ><)