Classification of Theatrical Performances known to Malays of the Peninsula

Name of Performance and Reputed Place of OriginInstruments.Dress.No. of Performers.Place of Performance, etc.Names of Stories Represented.
1Lĕkun or Lakun (Kedah and Siam).Gĕndang bĕsar, gong, gambang dua-b’las, kromong (or mong-mong), anak ayam, breng-breng, sĕrunei, cherek.Head-dress: kĕchobong, chawat (sayap layang-lay-ang), sabok, bimpau, sap suang, g’lang, g’lang kana (= kena), changgei, saluar.100 to 200 (in choruses) all females, except the musicians.Indoors, with proper scenery and dresses (masks).S’ri Rama, Dewa Matahari, Sendrong, Prak Jusin.
2Mĕndura (Siam).Gĕdombak, gĕdu, sĕrunei, cherek, mong, breng-breng anak ayam; but not gĕndang, rĕbab, or gong.Same as in the Lĕkun.About 10 to 15 good performers; all male, including the Princess.Out doors; no scenery.S’ri Rama, Lak Kenawan, Timun Muda, Iprat, Prak Jusin, Pran Bun, Sendrong, Dewa Matahari.
3Ma’yong (Siam).Rĕbab (yang bĕtuah), gĕndang (2), gong (2), gĕdombak (2), gĕdu-gĕdu (1), b’reng-b’reng (1); mong-mong (2), sĕrunei (1), anak ayam (2), cherek (10–20).Head-dress: tanjak (sapu tangan), g’rak gĕmpa, sabok, bimpau g’lang, changgei, saluar, sarong, baju, topeng (pran).10 to 20 (15 is the average), both male and female.Out doors; no scenery, which is, however, described by the performers. Panggong and langit-langit are all that is required.Dewa Sri Rama, Dewa Muda, Dewa Pĕchi, Gambar Lilin, Batak Puteh, Siamang Gila, Raja Gondang, Gajah Dang Daru, Bijak Laksana, Raja Muda sama Puyuh, Pran Bun, Timun Muda, Lak Kenawan, Iprat, Putri Duab’las, Dewa Bisnu, Solong Sakti, Putri Bongsu, Mĕgat Gembang Sultan Kĕchil Bongsu diʿAlam, Bongsu Kĕchil S’riʿAlam, Bujang Lempawi.
4Wayang Kun (Siam).Gong, gĕndang, kromong, anak ayam, b’reng-b’reng, gambang dua-b’las, sĕrunei; but not cherek or rĕbab. Different airs (lagu) from those used in the Lĕkun. Same as in the Lĕkun, except that the kĕchobong is not used, but a sort of ornamental sampul or songko’ with artificial flowers, g’rak gĕmpa. Females wear jambangan, a made-up head-dress, also sambok, sap suang, chawat, saluar; but not g’lang or changgei.30 to 40, both male and female.Indoors; no scenery.Same as in the Lĕkun.
5Mek Mulong (Siam?)Same as in the Ma’yong, but the rĕbana is used instead of the rĕbab, gĕndang, and b’reng-b’reng.Same as in the Ma’yong.8 to 15, males and females.Out doors; a panggong, as in the Ma’yong.Malim Bongsu, Awang Salamat.
6Bangsawan Parsi Indra Sabor (Persia?)Biola, kĕchapi, gĕndang (dul), gong, etc., as in the Mĕndu.Persian in character.30 to 50, all males except 2 or 3 females.Indoors; sevenfold langit langit, and tabir; wires are used in some performances to enable performers impersonating Dewas, etc. to fly.Lela Majnun, Sap Jafri, Raja Gelepam, etc.
7Mĕndu (Pontianak).Gĕndang (dul), gong, b’reng-b’reng, biola, kĕchapi, piano (or argin, i.e. concertina), sam dyen (Chinese), resembling the rĕbab; chên-chên (cymbals), and gĕndang singa.Same as in the Wayang China, i.e. Chinese in character: a baju tĕratei, a small jacket without sleeves; head-dress: mahkota (bulu kuang), beard and whiskers. Pahla-wans are distinguished by a koh sah (decoration on the fore-head); socks are worn.20 to 50 Malays acting Malay stories, but in Chinese dress; both male and female.Indoors; the same rough scenery as in Chinese theatres; there are small theatres for the Mĕndu at Singapore, Penang, and Malacca.Saifu-’l-Yazan, Siti Zubeidah, Ken Tabohan, ʿAbdul Muluk, Bĕstamam, Mara Karma, Bidasari, Dewa Mĕndu di Negri Langkadura, etc., most, if not all, being war-like themes.
8Wayang Makau (China).The same as in the Mĕndu.Chinese in character.20 to 50, male and female.Indoors.Siti Zubeidah, and also Chinese subjects.
9Wayang Kulit (Java) [but the stories are Javanese, Malay, Siamese and Chinese].Various.According to the nationality represented.Indoors.Chekil Wanam Pati, Jarang K’lena, Misa Perbu Jaya, Misa Kiamang, Lalat Hijau, Kalang Bongkang, Panji Samerang, K’ra Amas, Iran Kasuma, etc.

11. WAR AND WEAPONS

Such charms as might be used in time of war, or in case of danger from wild beasts or other enemies, are partly what may be called “defensive” and partly “offensive” in character.

The Malays who use them pray, on the one hand, for a supernatural appearance wherewith to scare their enemies and protect themselves, and on the other for supernatural powers to assist in the destruction of their foes.

Thus, one of their charms runs:—

“Let me face the Seven Suns,

But let not my enemies face me.