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INDEPENDENT SONGS: Dikir Barat
 

Dikir barat is a style of call and response singing originating in Kelantan (Malm 1974). It is well known throughout the Peninsular through local television and performing groups. A dikir barat group, which may be of any size, is led by a tukang karut who makes up poems and sings them as he goes along. The chorus echoes in response, verse by verse. Dikir barat groups usually perform during various festive occassions, and their poems are usually light entertainment and may be about any topic, but are not religious in nature. The chorus traditionally consists of all men, but modern groups, especially those performing on television, often include women. Traditionally, no musical instruments are used, the singing being accompanied instead by rhythmic clapping and energetic body movements. Some groups however do use a pair of frame drums or rebana, a shallow gong and a pair of maracas, for accompaniment. (Aziz & Wan Ramli 1994). 

 
Music

Audio Examples (.mid format)
Wau Bulan

Lyrics, with traditional Kelantanese diction
Eh wah buleh, eh wah buleh
Wah buleh teraju tigo
Eh wah, eh wah, eh wah buleh
Wah buleh teraju tigo

Ini maleh samo-samo
Samo-samo bersuko-rio
Ini maleh samo-samo
Samo-samo bersuko-rio
In formal Malay (translation in brackets)
Eh wau bulan X 2
("wau bulan" is a specially shaped kite)
Wau bulan teraju tiga
("teraju tiga" describes the 3 strings attached to the body of the kite, joined to a single string for flying)
Ini malam sama-sama
(tonight, all of us together)
Sama-sama bersuka-ria
(together, we all have a good time)

Digital Audio Example
(downloadable .ra format, 69K)


 OTHER INDEPENDENT SONG FORMS