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March 12, 2006
Dancing Around Mak Yong
The New Straits Times' story begins promisingly with the question:
Where is the proof that overt Hindu and Buddhist elements exist in the mak yong to deem the Kelantanese dance theatre un-Islamic? [New Straits Times]
First off to bat is a heavyweight, and the be-"serban"-ed people in PAS look set to be in trouble:
Universiti Malaya Professor of Ethnochoreology and Ethnomusicology Dr Mohd Anis Md Nor said the [Kelantan] State Government should be brave enough to back up its claims."The ban speaks of insecurity. Our culture goes back many, many years.
"Why blame history for the present?"
He said decisions against the arts should not be made for political expediency.
What? That's it? The learned professor didn't even answer the fricking question.
OK, OK ... maybe the next guy, "veteran bangsawan exponent" Mohd Bahroodin Ahmad, will:
"What is there in mak yong that is supposed to be Hindu and Buddhist elements? I wish the people who are saying this would come up with some facts first."Bahroodin suggested a way out — certain rituals in mak yong like calling upon the spirits for protection be replaced instead with asking God for help.
Amazing. He contradicts himself in a single breath, asking for proof as if there is none, and then providing evidence -- "certain rituals in mak yong like calling upon the spirits for protection" -- that it is unIslamic.
But wait. There's more. Here's the great Professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, who surely will save the day:
He said the Pas Government was taking the religious aspect too seriously, forgetting that Malaysia had attained great heights because of the fusion of religion and culture.... "For Pas to ban mak yong is to deny the catalytic effect of the fusion between Islamic, Malay and indigenous cultures."
Nope, no answer from him either. Anis tries again after Shamsul Amri, and fails miserably.
Anis and Shmasul Amri forget one thing about their religion: They and I are Muslims first, before we "are" anything else.
Bahroodin the mak yong exponent actually has a suggestion that I think should be explored:
"Mak Yong is a living culture so it can evolve to suit the situation," he said.
That is the way.
MAYBE The next time NST wants to explore issues closely related to Islam, they should send Muslim reporters?
If not, you'll have stories like these which will have the PAS guys ROFL. This is too easy.
Posted by aisehman at March 12, 2006 05:15 PM
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Comments
NST, and those seangkatan dengannya, has always been irresponsible fool as far as I can remember. And the so called experts themselves? Delusional egomaniacs--and maybe even con artists.
Posted by: Ali Agha at March 13, 2006 10:41 AM
Very nice analysis, Mr aisehman. I am always enlightened by the way you synthesize your arguments to make one wholesome case for the readers to think about. And you have been very consistent in your thoughts. No sneaky arguments here and there for the sake of sheer arguing.
Posted by: asmawi at March 13, 2006 05:14 PM
I second that wholeheartedly. You have no personal agenda for self glorification. A lot of readers have left the OTHER blog after discovering yours.
Posted by: tron at March 14, 2006 10:57 AM
yup, ur analysis remain as it is, onbjective, unbiased and critical. keep it on.
Posted by: mydinz at March 14, 2006 03:48 PM
Ya...Muslims first...then only a Malay, a bumiputra, a Malaysian, a human, a mamal, a homo sapien! I guess there must soon be order in Medicine too in treating a Muslim as it would be an insult to have to treat a Muslim in the same manner as a human being with the same ailment!
Posted by: Observer at March 15, 2006 09:53 AM
Observer,
What does this have to do with this post? Are you a doctor too to talk about the hippocratic oath? If you are you the same commenter in the jeff ooi blog, please leave your useless and ignorant rants there.
Go and visit the UKM veterinary clinic and try to learn something. You'll be surprised to see that it aint the non muslims but the tudung wearing doctors that are treating your pet dogs with full compassion with their bare hands.
Posted by: tron at March 15, 2006 03:04 PM
yep it is indeed , non bias blog like no OTHER blog
Posted by: Dr Y at March 15, 2006 03:43 PM