TARI DABUS: MANIFESTATION OF MALAY HEROISM RITUAL

Abstract

Tari Dabus is a traditional performing art of Perak, Malaysia, originating in self-defence rituals and still practised over 300 years later. This study aims to emphasise the concept of Tari Dabus, the heroism that is exhibited by players' intelligence, dexterity, bravery, and cheerfulness when performed. Every Tari Dabus performer uses a type of sharp iron called anak dabus as a unique performance feature. Anak dabus is intended to show the dance as a symbol of heroism, reflecting the performance's identity. This study seeks to explain the relationship between behaviour and culture through a qualitative, ethnographic approach. Ethnographers try to separate the eemic perspective, the point of view of the culture being studied, and the eetic perspective, which is the point of view from outside the culture being studied. The analysis of this study focuses on several aspects of the Tari Dabus performance that manifest the concept of heroism. The implications of this study are beneficial for preserving and conserving local wisdom to ensure its sustainability.