Salman Alfarisi, Muchammad Bayu Tejo Sampurno, Abdul Hamid Chan, Indar Sabri, Junaidi
Malaysia possesses a distinct cultural philosophy in its national cultural policy, emphasising the establishment of a strong nation. Islam plays a central role in this philosophy, and artistic expressions should reflect Islamic principles, as has been the case since the religion’s arrival in the Malay Peninsula. A key question that arises concerns which Islamic paradigm (mazhab) should serve as the foundation for Malay artistic creation. This article advocates for the concept of “Malay Islam,” which signifies the integration of Islam and Malay culture in all aspects of life, including the practice of Dabus. A two-year field study with the Tanjung Bidara Dabus troupe in Perak, Malaysia, revealed that: (1) the structure of Dabus performances closely aligns with Islamic values; (2) the function of Dabus performances is rooted in social welfare, guided by Islamic principles; (3) the core meanings and values embedded in Dabus performances are based on Islamic monotheism (ketauhidan); and (4) Islamic foundations are essential in shaping Malay art as a counterbalance to Western aesthetic influences. © 2025, Center for Intercultural Studies, Polytechnic of Porto. All rights reserved.
Department of Performing Arts, Faculty of Music and Performing Arts, Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia; Faculty of Languages Arts, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia; Institut Seni Indonesia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
