Yes, those were my first thoughts when I watched my first video of kuda kepang.
you may wonder, what IS kuda kepang???
The Kuda Kepang is a very interesting dance from Johor. The dance was once a form of totemic worship. The dance had strong links with spirit possession and often dancers went into a trance-like state. However with the Islamisation of Malaysia, this dance now generally renders the tale of nine Javanese men who spread the Islamic faith in the interior of Java. The nine Muslim evangelists rode on horseback and dramatized stories of the battles waged and won for the cause of Islam to draw and hold the attention of the congregation. Kuda Kepang is performed by nine dancers who are seated astride a two dimensional 'horse' made of hide or pleated rattan. The dancers re-enact the early Islamic battles in enthusiastic gestures and vigorous action. Naturally as time as moved this dance is seen very much more for its entertainment value. This dance is performed in accompaniment to a rich and exotic rendition of traditional music played with indigenous instruments such as gongs, tambourines and angklungs. http://www.dancemalaysia.com/Dance/Traditional/Folk_Dance/Kuda_Kepang/kuda_kepang.htm
Just a little video to make it more visual for you.
anyway, at first I thought it was really sadistic.
then I thought maybe not!
when I watched the video, it was quite... shocking. the music was really violent, what with aggressive banging of drums, and the whole scene was really noisy as well.
and it only got worse when I saw some of the dancers being whipped. and forced to step on crushed glass, and being fed PLANTS.
WOULD YOU DO THAT??? EVER???
to your fellow human?
apparently yes.
That's because these dancers are in a TRANCE. Like those scary fortune tellers/ crystal ball gazers you see in cartoons. only its for real this time.
but its not THAT bad.
the female dancers are like any other dancer and they aren't the main highlight of the juda kepang. the male dancers, on the other hand, are the key.
they danced with cardboard horse cut-outs between their legs and then *gasps*
BECOME THE HORSE :O
as a result, they feel no pain when they are whipped and forced to step on crushed glass. They're in a trance-like state, and have to wash their faces in cold water to come out from their trance.
is this humane?
it could be.
it could NOT be.
but its still an integral part of the Javanese culture, and we should respect that. There are still performances ongoing in Singapore as well. I suppose human rights activists may question the "rightness" in kuda kepang, such as letting a 13-year-old boy perform in such a performance. but is there anything wrong with demonstrating the uniqueness of the Javanese culture.
this is, i suppose, a question which has no answer.
when things seem horrifying, look back for a second glance, and then you'll realise, that it wasn't what you've just seen.
VIVIAN!