KKB1041 DRAMA & THEATRE 1

JULY 2016 SEMESTER
‘DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES
BETWEEN MAY YONG ND MEK MULONG’

NAME: AHMAD IRHAM BIN AZAHARI

ID NUMBER: 24211
PROGRAMME: PETROLEUM GEOSCIENCE
LECTURER: NOR AZMAN MOHAMMED
TITLE: DIFFERENCES AND SIMMILARITIES BETWEEN
MAK YONG AND MEK MULONG

Nowadays, there are lots and lots of dramas or movies that have been published for us to
watch. Due to the technology that keep advancing days by days, the stories that were published
Hve becomes a must for us to watch. But what we don’t realize is our traditional theatre is being
forgotten and one day it may be extinct. We as the new generations, we have to use our creativity
and knowledges to help in producing a good theatre. One of the most popular traditional theatre
are about the Mak Yong and Mek Mulong. There are lots of similarities and differences between
both of them.

The Mak Yong is a dance drama, a comprehensive theatre performance combining dance,
opera, drama and comedy. The theatre is believed to have originated from Kelantan several
centuries ago as a popular court entertainment. It exist before Islam comes and has becomes
popular from southern Thailand. Next is Mek Mulong. Mek Mulung is a traditional theatre
performance few Malaysians know about. Mek Mulung was born. There are many versions to
the story of how the art originated. In summary, the dance theatre Mek Mulung is from the Wang
Tepus district in Jitra, Kedah Darul Aman and first being introduce at Kamping Paya Ubi before
spreading to whole Kedah.

The first similarities about Mak Yong and Mek Mulong are both performance consist of
acting, singing, dancing and music. Next, in Mak Yong and Mek Mulung performances, some of
the characters that they are using is the same. For example, Raja(king), Permaisuri(Queen),
Awang Selamat, Awang Pengasuh, Inang and other antagonistic character with magical power.
Female actors played the roles of the court attendants or even the roles of prince as well as
princesses. The men were usually given the parts as of the comedians, ogres or demons. Two of
these men would play lead comedians, while the others would act in a supporting roles.

Before a performance run, first held the opening ceremony. The ceremony is intended
that the players and the whole show run safely without any interruption. Then, both Mak Yong
and Mek Mulong started with ‘Bertabuh‘ where all instruments is played simultaneously. In their
performance, each of the members have to played their own important roles and have to
cooperates with each other as to ensure that that the stories can be delivered successfully.
 However, Mak Yong and Mek Mulong have many differences compared to their
similarities. Their differences can be divided into several aspect such as their performance,
songs, clothes, story, music instruments and dances.

In their performance, May Yong character are usually played by girls. It then begins with
facing the Rebab which means only Pak Yong,
Mak Yong and Jun Dongdang take part. Mak
Yong is a favourite form of entertainment in the
palace courtyard of Kelantan and Patani, Mak
Yong was often performed for members of the
Royal family and aristocrats and was exhibited
among common people. However, it wasn’t until
the beginning of the 19th century that the court
performance of Mak Yong was made available to
the public as well. As for Mek Mulung, their
performers are usually male. It begins with an opening song known as the song "bertabik" .
Songs bertabik started by a team leader and was greeted by members of the group. The song is
said to be paying homage to the sacred spirits, the teachers of the past and the gods. Mek Mulong
was performed for commn people only and it is performed outside the palace.

Apart from acting and dancing, singing is also at the heart of the show May Yong and
Mek Mulong. Both Mak Yong and Mek Mulong have their own unique songs. The songs are
used to explain the content of the narrative, introducing the characters and various dramatic and
theatrical elements. As for Mak Yong, the songs are Lagu Bertabuh, Lagu Menghadap Rebab,
Lagu Sedayung, and Lagu Sindund, Songs for Mek Mulong are Raja Beradu, Timang Welo,
Lagu Berjalan and Anak Udang. Most of this songs are played with purely instrumental music.

Third is clothes. Both May Yong and Mek Mulong wear different cloths during their
performance. As for Mak Yong the dancer that play this role will wear silk kebaya with gold and
diamond brooch . Silk warp is tied with a belt that has gem stone golden jewellery that is more
beautiful than that of princess Mok Yong. A piece of border cloth hangs on the top of left
shoulder, tucked into the pending jewellwery with its length reaching the knees. It usually sewn
with gold thread. The dancer also will wear pemeles, golden hand thread, golden foot bangles
and rings given by the king. While for Mek Mulong, the actor and dancer in the show wear
certain clothes. King or Mr. Mulung wearing a pair of baju Melayu, bersamping songket, a
headdress, which is a hanky Sibai cover the shoulders and chest, tie wraps and inserts a keris at
the waist. However, they must have a cloth bandage the waist and wearing a mask. The masks
are the distinguishing character and their respective roles.
 Next aspect is dance. Dance is an important aspect in the presentation of Mak Yong and
Mek Mulung, as well as the theaters of other traditions. Dance is an important element in the
stories and performances. The dancers also be used as a "chorus" especially when there is a scene
in the story. In Mak Yong performance, the most popular and common dance that will be
performed is Tarian Ragam. Besides, there are
other movement and gesture such as Tangan Susun
Sirih, Tangan Burung Terbang, Langkah Turun
Drai Kayangan, and Pak Yong Berjalan. While for
Mek Mulong, there are up to 7 types of dance
which are Tarian Sembah, Tarian Gambang, Tarian
Puteri Mabuk, Tarian Menora, Tarian Sirama,

Tarian Puteri Masuk Bilik Air, and Tarian Sedayung. The dance ends with a set of worship when
sitting.

Fifthly, the story that are presented during the performance are both different from each
other. There are 15 stories for Mak Yong. Somes of them are Dewa muda, Dewa Pecil, Gading
Bertimang, Raja Tangkai Hati, Anak Raja Gondang, Raja Bongsu Sakti, and Raja Besar
Senyanya. For Mek Mulong, most of the stories appearing in the show are the stories that they
think is right and never happened in the past. Humor have a place in casting. Among the stories
that are always played are Lkon Afrit, Batak Putih, Cahaya Bulan, Malim Bongsu and Dewa
Muda.

Lastly, both May Yong and Mek Mulong have their own musical instrument during their
performances. The musical instrument used in this particular dance in Mak Yong are Rehab,
ending Ibu dan Anak, Tetawak Ibu dan Aank, and Canang. The musical instruments used in the
presentation Mek Mulung comprising Semborong Ibu dan Anak, Gong, Serunai, and Cerek. In
the past there were also "cymbal" and "whispering" in the list of musical instruments Mek
Mulung.

In conclusion, Mak Yong and Mek Mulong have some similarities but lots of differences.
Their differences can be divided into several aspects which are performance, songs, stories,
clothes, dances and musical instrument. One important things that we must know is that both
MakYong and Mek Mulng theatres are the heritages from the older generation to the younger
generation nowadays which is us to preserved, developed, managed and promoted it. We must
not just put this special heritages in special place, but more efforts should be made to attract
young talent and audience as well as national and foreign spectators.