Dikir barat

Dikir barat (Jawi: دكير بارت; ลิเกบารัต; ) is a musical form, native to the Malay Peninsula, that involves singing in groups—often in a competitive setting. Dikir barat may be performed either with a percussion instrumental accompaniment, or with no instruments at all. The origins of are unclear; it is found in both Malaysia and Thailand, and today the Malaysia National Department for Culture and Arts actively promotes it as an important part of Malaysian national culture. is typically performed by groups of ten to fifteen members, though there is no actual set size, even in competitive environments. A group usually sits cross-legged on a platform, sometimes surrounded by the audience. Where the is performed competitively, the two competing groups will both be on the stage at the same time. In a typical performance, the group will perform two segments. The first is led by the , who is often the person in charge of the musical training of the group. This first segment usually contains the more complex musical arrangements, and will likely feature the (chorus) singing in unison with the , as well as responsorial segments of singing, similar to what the does with the , later in the performance. Though musically more complex than what will follow, the first segment is seen as the "low-key" segment of the performance. The creative leader of a group is the . The (who is often himself a former ) is expected in his performance to utilise current social and political issues which will be relevant to the audience. His ability to do this helps to uphold the reputation of the group. Leading the during the second and concluding segment of the performance, the sings —most of which are likely original and improvised on the occasion of the performance, but some which may be known to the audience. (Pantuns are an oral poetry form indigenous to the Malay region, and are not exclusive to the .) That the uses does not mean that it is a performance of poetry.