Balai dance
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tarian Ulai
| Native name | Tarian Balai Tarian Ulai |
|---|---|
| Origin | Terengganu (Malaysia) |
| Balai dance |
|---|
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| Burma |
| Cambodia |
| Indonesia |
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| Laos |
| Malaysia |
| Philippines |
| Singapore |
| Thailand |
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| Vietnam |
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Balai dance (Malay: Tarian Balai, Terengganu Malay: Tariang Bala/Ula) or Ulai dance is a traditional Malay dance originated from what is now the district of Hulu Terengganu in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. It is performed usually by women during the harvest season (Musim Menuai) as a way to appease the spirits of paddy crops for this year's harvest and to seek bountiful harvests for the next season.[1][2]
Origins of Balai dance remains largely unknown as stories regarding the dance is mainly based on oral history. Based on local accounts, the dance were first started more than 300 years ago by two farmers by the name of Tok Senik and Tok Jambul from Kampung Bukit Gemuruh in Hulu Terengganu. One day, when Tok Senik was singing her daughter to sleep, she heard a voice that reciprocates her lullaby and this continues even when she continued working in the paddy fields as she recites poems.
Her husband Tok Jambul also experienced the same thing as one day while he was sleeping, a mysterious man appeared in his dream telling him that a group of jinns wanted to have fun with his wife. In order for the jinns to not disturb his wife, the man instructed Tok Jambul to stick several pulai trees and splash tepung tawar unto it. After the incident, the jinns no longer disturb his wife and the harvest becomes bountiful. Tok Senik and Tok Jambul continued the tradition until it became the Balai dance.[3]