Boria in Malaysia

Authors: Farideh Alizadeh

Abstract:

This article is investigating Boria which is a kind of common performance in Malaysia. Boria has been known as Boria and Borea and both are correct, but Boria is more common. Boria is a folk performance unique to Penang. This theatre style reached Penang in the mid-19th century and is believed to be derived from the Shia Islamic Passion play performed during the Muslim month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrs of Kerbela. These days in Malaysia (especially Penang) Boria mentions to a choral street performance performed annually by a number of groups composed mostly of Sunni Malaysian. Boria are performed for entertainment and often include an annual singing competition. The size, membership, themes and movements of each Boria troupe may vary from year to year. Similarly, the themes and contents of the Boria performed by the different troupes also changes each year and can have a comical, political or satirical notion. It is common to most groups during the first ten days of Muharram Boria generally is done.

Keywords: Boria, ritual, Passion play, theatre

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1330023

References:

[1] G.-S .Yousof,Boria in Dictionary of traditional South-East Asian theatre., Oxford University Press: The United States, 1994, pp. 31-2.
[2] G.-S .Yousof,Boria in Dictionary of traditional South-East Asian theatre., Oxford University Press: The United States, 1994, pp. 32.
[3] H.T. Haughton, Boriah,Journal of the Straits of the Royal Asiatic Society, vol. 1, 1987, p. 313.
[4] R. Bujang, the Boria of Penang: From Ritual to Popular Performance, Pengajian Melayu, 1989, pp. 98-9.
[5] The Encyclopedia of Islam, Luzac & Co: London, 1934. p. 712.
[6] G.-S. Yousof, The Encyclopedia of Malaysia: Performing Arts, 1990, p. 104.
[7] Boria Pulau Pinang, Kementerain Kebudayaan, Kesenian & Pelancongan Malaysia: Penang 2012, p. vii.
[8]Boria Pulau Pinang, Kementerain Kebudayaan, Kesenian & Pelancongan Malaysia: Penang 2012, p. 7.