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Mek Mulung

Not many Malaysians know about Mek Mulung,the traditional theatre performance which originated from Kedah.This dance theatre, from the Wang Tepus district in Jitra, takes the word “mek”, an affectionate term for a young woman and “mulung”, the name of the forest where the dance was first performed.

It is believed to have been introduced by a princess cast off into the forest along with her maidservants after her father, the king, believed a fortune teller’s prediction that the girl would bring misfortune to the kingdom. She was banished when she was just a baby.

The maidservants made up songs and tales to entertain the young princess whenever she cried. She grew into a young woman who so loved the songs and tales by her maidservants that she eventually took the lead in the performances. The group soon left the forest and returned to Kedah.

According to the book, Sejarah Asal Mek Mulung (The Original History of Mek Mulung) by the Cultural, Arts and Tourism Ministry, Mek Mulung was first introduced in Kampung Paya Kulubi, before spreading to Perik, both in Kedah.

Unfortunately, the performance was not well-received by the people of Perik. The princess and her troupe then performed in Wang Tepus, where it was an instant hit. To this day, the traditional theatre performance is held annually in Wang Tepus.

There are also claims that Mek Mulung originated in Legor, Thailand, before it was introduced in Kedah during the Kedah-Thailand feud. The first places where it was introduced were Kampung Perit, Mukim Kurung Itam and the Kuala Nerang district.

It then travelled to Kampung Belukar Mulung and Kampung Paya Keladi before ending up in Kampung Wang Tepus.Mek Mulung revolves around five main stories, including Cahaya Bulan,Malim Bongsu and Dewa Muda

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