Zapin

Zafin
Schoolchildren performing Zapin in Batu Pahat, Johor.
Native nameZafin,[1][2][3] Japin,[4][5] Jepin,[6] Jepen[7]
EtymologyArabic: الزفن, romanized: Al-Zafn
Instrument(s)Gambus, Gendang, Marawis, Rebana
InventorPersian, Arabs, Malays
OriginHadramaut, Yemen.
Malay World
Zapin
  • Part of a series on
    Dance-drama of
    Southeast Asia
    Topography of Southeast Asia.
    Topography of Southeast Asia.
Burma
Cambodia
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

Zapin (Jawi: زافين) 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 (short-necked lute), accordion, and rebana.[8] 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.

  1. ^ "Zafin". jakarta.go.id. The Official Communications, Informatics and Statistics Province's Exclusive Capital Government of Jakarta (eng). 12 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Japin / Zafin Dance (eng)". jakarta-tourism.go.id. Jakarta Tourism Service. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Zafin". warisanbudaya.kemdikbud.go.id. Directorate of Cultural and Heritage Diplomacy, Directorate General of Culture of The Republic of Indonesia. 2010–2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Japin / Zafin Dance (eng)". jakarta-tourism.go.id. Jakarta Tourism Service. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Japin". warisanbudaya.kemdikbud.go.id. Directorate of Cultural and Heritage Diplomacy, Directorate General of Culture of The Republic of Indonesia. 2015–2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Jepin". warisanbudaya.kemdikbud.go.id. Directorate of Cultural and Heritage Diplomacy, Directorate General of Culture of The Republic of Indonesia. 2010–2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Jepen". warisanbudaya.kemdikbud.go.id. Directorate of Cultural and Heritage Diplomacy, Directorate General of Culture of The Republic of Indonesia. 2015–2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Zapin INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE". Retrieved 2 April 2021.