'Mak Yong can already be performed in Kelantan, albeit with conditions'

The call for the Kelantan government to lift the ban on Mak Yong, a traditional theatre form, by a United Nations (UN) special rapporteur could stymie ongoing efforts to seek official recognition for the art form in the PAS-led state, said a Mak Yong actor.

Rosnan Rahman said that although Kelantan had previously banned cultural performances such as Mak Yong, Menora, and Main Puteri, it had begun allowing such performances to take place in recent years with several conditions outlined to the organisers.

"Last year, the Kelantan state government had invited us (the Mak Yong ensemble) to perform at a function. In fact, we have performed Mak Yong several times in the state," he told Malaysiakini.

Rosnan, also known as Pak Yong and who claims to be the only active male Mak Yong actor in the country, said conditions included having either all-male or all-female ensembles.

Additionally, controversial rituals deemed “un-Islamic” have to be omitted from the performance.

Most roles in Mak Yong are typically performed by women, with stories based on folk tales peopled with royal characters, divinities and clowns.

Rosnan (left in photo) said there have been ongoing discussions between traditional dance practitioners and the state to officially lift the ban on Mak Yong, and he believes they will reach an agreement in the near future.

"If the state government is concerned about not having male and female dancers together on the stage, we could perform with one-gender ensembles.

"If they are concerned about female and male audiences sitting together, we can separate them, one group on the left, and another to the right.

"We can discuss the performance guidelines. What is important is to keep this traditional dance alive. It would be a waste to let it become extinct."

The Kelantan government had officially banned all traditional performances it deemed un-Islamic in 1998.

Yesterday, UN special rapporteur on cultural rights Karima Bennoune had reiterated her call for the state government to lift the ban on Mak Yong, wayang kulit and other forms of traditional Malay arts.

She had made a similar statement in 2017.

"Malaysia is renowned for these wonderful traditional performances and practices... I think it’s a terrible shame that these arts are banned in the state where they were actually born.

“Instead, these cultures with rich traditions should be celebrated and appreciated as it is one of the oldest performing arts in the world. Thus I hope the ban will be lifted as soon possible,” Bennoune said at the 2019 World Summit on Arts and Culture in Kuala Lumpur, as reported by the Malay Mail.

Rosnan said that misconceptions about Mak Yong need to be corrected.

"The performance is rich with cultural philosophy and metaphors behind it, and those who do not understand the dance are quick to say that the performance involves idolatry.

"This is false and that's why there should be ongoing discussions to debunk the claims. We need to amicably discuss this matter with relevant parties," he said, adding that Mak Yong is still very much alive in Kelantan.  - Mkini