INDONESIA: Al-Kamal performs Arabic music and Zapin dance for families during Ramadan

Record ID: 514139

  • Title: INDONESIA: Al-Kamal performs Arabic music and Zapin dance for families during Ramadan
  • Date: 4th October 2007
  • Summary: DANCERS WEARING CAMEL OUTFITS VARIOUS OF DANCERS DRESSED AS CAMELS INTERACTING WITH CHILDREN
  • Embargoed: 19th October 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA3WT17PBRMQNMANI4TDR0FB36F
  • Story Text: Off a narrow alleyway in Eastern Jakarta, a local musical band, known as al-Kamal, are rehearsing in a small cramped room ahead of a Ramadan performance at a local shopping centre.
    The group of musicians play Arabic influenced music while a troupe of male dancers perform a traditional popular dance know as Zapin.
    The Zapin is traditionally performed during the holy month of Ramadan and is believed to have been introduced to South East Asia by Muslim missionaries in the 14th century.
    The dance, which is also popular in Malaysia and Singapore, is usually performed by male dancers.
    "Originally Zapin simply involved repetitive feet movements, but as it developed, it was influenced by local culture. For example, in Betawi culture, we can find Pencak Silat (a South Asian martial art) movements," says Hassan Shahab, who leads the al-Kamal band.
    Shahab, whose band charges around 2.5 million rupiah (274 USD) for a performance, says that this Ramadan has been particularly busy.
    "As far as performing goes, I can say this month we have performed more than most," he says.
    When the musicians and dancers are satisfied with their rehearsal, they make their way to their gig which, on this occasions, is at a local shopping centre.
    The musicians and dancers take to the stage wearing traditional costumes and perform to an audience consisting of mainly children and their parents.
    At the end of the show, the dancers put on camel costumes and interact enthusiastically with the children in the audience.
    Ramadan is busiest month for al-Kamal and the band receives performance requests from different venues across Jakarta including shopping centres, mosques, wedding ceremonies, and personal houses.
    Indonesia was world's most populous Muslim state.
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