Kuda Kepang - Javanese Horse Trance Dance - Forbidden and Vanishing Art Form in Singapore

Kuda Kepang was introduced to Singapore by immigrants from Java, Indonesia in the late 1940s. Kesenian Tedja Timur (Rainbow of Arts from the East), Singapore's 1st professional Kuda Kepang group was formed in 1948. Kuda Kepang (Flat Horse) is also known as Kuda Lumping in Indonesia. Dancers 'ride' on horses made from woven bamboo decorated with colourful painting.

This unique Javanese folk art will disappear from Singapore soon. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) views such performances as not part of Islam and have never been so. Practices like going into a trance, and performing feats like chewing/eating glass, stomping on glass, drinking buckets of water and the invocation of spirits are non-Islamic. These elements are against the teachings of Islam and must be avoided by Muslims at all times.

The Town Councils in Singapore have banned these performances on their premises. Reasons are not given but it is believed that noise generated form these activities disturb the neighbourhood. Also the practice of stomping on glass etc may be a safety issue when imitated by children.

There are various Kuda Kepang groups in Singapore and they are conducting this Javanese Folk Art discretely. They view this as a cultural practice, though non-Islamic in nature. It will be a matter of time when this form of cultural practice disappears from Singapore.

MUIS advisory:
https://www.muis.gov.sg/officeofthemu...

A full coverage of the Kuda Kepang rituals is in the flowing link:
   • Kuda Kepang - Javanese Horse Trance D...  

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Ht1mqNVwajbq5DSJA
Esplanade Courtyard
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (Circle Line)

Camera: Panasonic UX180
Editing: Final Cut Pro X
Recording date: May 1, 2023

#kudakepang #kudalumping #kudalumpingbarongan