BORIA

Malaysia is rich with many culture. Every state in Malaysia has its own culture. The different between the culture can also be seen in the traditional dance. For example Johor has Tarian Zapin, Perak has Tarian Dabus, Kelantan has Dikir Barat and Penang has Boria. So, today we are going to focus about Penang most popular traditional dance which is Boria.

ABOUT BORIA
Boria is popular in the northern states of Malaysia especially in Penang. Boria is a traditional song and dance sketch or also known as dance drama. It was believed Boria was originally from India. The India traders is the one that introduce Boria to Pulau Pinang people. Nowadays, people of Jawi Peranakan, also known as Mamak is the one that inherited this traditional dance, Boria start to develop at Penang in the later decades of the nineteenth century. The troupe consists of a leader, a chorus, comedians and musicians. The performance has 2 segments it's normally begins with short comic sketches and followed by sailor performance,  Boria has 32 moves for each verse. The moves will change according to the rhythm of the song.

THE BORIA PERFORMANCE
Before the performance start it was compulsory for Boria performance to have a sketch. The sketch will be perform by 'Pak Lawak'.Usually the sketch have a humor but, it also can be serious. The sketch should have a story and message for listener to take it as a guideline and lesson. After the 'Pak Lawak' tell the story 'Tukang Karang' will appeared on the stage with sailor. 'Tukang Karang' act as a leader in the troupe. The 'Tukang Karang' is required bring a pointer stick on stage as Boria identity. 'Tukang Karang' can move freely on the stage. He require to sing 'live' during the show. Each of the song verse need to be sing clearly, loud and not being sing in a sway rhythm as the familiar songs. Sailor is the people that standing behind 'Tukang Karang'. They will dance and sing at the same time when they perform. Sailor line shall be made of two row. The sailor will repeat the first verse sung by 'Tukang Karang' and interspersed with 'Tukang Karang'. After, 'Tukang Karang' has sing the last verse of the song the sailor will sing the last verse as an ending of the performance.

THE SONG and BORIA
Boria and Boria song is a two different things. Boria is a performance that being perform on stage, have a short sketch on the beginning and then the Tukang Karang and Sailor will enter the stage. While, Boria song is a song that being included the element of the Boria. The Boria song in depend on the troupe itself, it means that the troupe can create their own lyrics for the song. The song need to be based on the theme that have been decided. However, the song must be related to the sketch. The end line of each sentences should end with the same sound.

For Example:
                          

Picture 1: Other lyrics example from Gema Permata

    Salam hormat selamat sejahtera
    Rakan dan teman sanak saudara
    Seronok sakan semua gembira                             
    Gema Permata meriahkan acara....                          














THE COSTUME

  Picture 2:     The costume wear by Gema
Permata sailor

The costume for Boria performance is easy to get. Usually for new Boria troupe they will make their own costume. After the troupe become well known there will many of sponsorship will sponsor the costume. 'Tukang Karang' can wear a different clothes from other performer. Usually, all the sailor will wear a same clothes. The costume need to follow the theme of the performance. The colour of the Boria costume is usually bright to make the performance more fun. For example, red,yellow,white and other bright colour, other than colour the Boria performer also wear very attractive clothes, this can make the performance more fun and lively.


         
                                                                                                                       


THE INSTRUMENT
There are no specific instruments used in in Boria. Normally, Violin and the Gendang (drum) is being used, however the used of more instruments will make the performance more livelier. Among the other instruments that can be used is Gambus (lute), Marvas (drum), Tabla (drum), Simbal (percusssion), Accordion and Harmonica.

In conclusion, Boria is a very interesting traditional dance from Penang. The performance from Gema Permata is very interesting and fun for us, because it give us a new experience, during our interview with Alif and Pikah they have told us many things about Boria. One of it was the history of Boria, the costume for Boria performance and others. We feel relieved when we know that Boria still being teach to the teenagers. We hope Boria will be pass to the future generation for them to know and learn this fun and interesting traditional dance.

OUR GALLERY

The members of Gema Permata

                                                                        

Gallery 1: Interview session with Alif and Pikah sailor of the Gema Permata Boria troupe.                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Gallery 2: The medal and certificated of the Gema Permata troupe.

Gallery 3: The steps of the Boria performance

 Gallery 4- We and  Cikna the founder of Gema  Permata with sailor of the troupe.