Kelantan lifts Mak Yong ban after two decades, but insists performances must be Shariah-compliant | Malaysia | Malay Mail
▻https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/09/25/kelantan-lifts-mak-yong-ban-after-two-decades-but-insists-performances-must/1794202
The Kelantan state government has reportedly lifted its ban on the traditional dance theatre called Mak Yong today, after more than two decades.
“There must also be no element of worship in the performances,” he was quoted as saying after the state executive councillor meeting in Kota Baru.
“Similar guidelines are also imposed on ‘wayang kulit’ and other traditional artistic Malay art performances. We want to ensure only Islamic-related performances are shown to the audience.”
Mak Yong was previously proclaimed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 2005, in a last-ditch bid to save it.
Mak Yong has been performed in the region for nearly a millennium, and historians believe it was brought to Kelantan around 200 years ago.
A performance entails dancing, acting and singing ― telling stories dating back to the Srivijaya Empire in the 7th century, and the times of the legendary Kelantan queen Che Siti Wan Kembang who was believed to have ruled between the 14th and 16th centuries.