Kuda Kepang - Javanese Horse Trance Dance - Forbidden and Vanishing Art Form in Singapore

Kuda Kepang was introduced to Singapore by immigrants from Java, Indonesia in the late 1940s. Kesenian Tedja Timur (Rainbow of Arts from the East), Singapore's 1st professional Kuda Kepang group was formed in 1948. Kuda Kepang (Flat Horse) is also known as Kuda Lumping in Indonesia. Dancers 'ride' on horses made from woven bamboo decorated with colourful painting.
This unique Javanese folk art will disappear from Singapore soon. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) views such performances as not part of Islam and have never been so. Practices like going into a trance, and performing feats like chewing/eating glass, stomping on glass, drinking buckets of water and the invocation of spirits are non-Islamic. These elements are against the teachings of Islam and must be avoided by Muslims at all times.
The Town Councils in Singapore have banned these performances on their premises. Reasons are not given but it is believed that noise generated form these activities disturb the neighbourhood. Also the practice of stomping on glass etc may be a safety issue when imitated by children.
There are various Kuda Kepang groups in Singapore and they are conducting this Javanese Folk Art discretely. They view this as a cultural practice, though non-Islamic in nature. It will be a matter of time when this form of cultural practice disappears from Singapore.
MUIS advisory:
www.muis.gov.sg/officeofthemu...
A full coverage of the Kuda Kepang rituals is in the flowing link:
• Kuda Kepang - Javanese...
Location: goo.gl/maps/Ht1mqNVwajbq5DSJA
Esplanade Courtyard
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (Circle Line)
Camera: Panasonic UX180
Editing: Final Cut Pro X
Recording date: May 1, 2023
#kudakepang #kudalumping #kudalumpingbarongan

[@mle0ng]

This is one of many very interesting and outstanding performances at the Esplanade during the Sacred Music Week. Was unfortunate that not more Singaporeans are aware of the free performances which included very impressive Byzantine chants, organ performances etc. FYI This Kuda Kepang is actually banned in public places in Singapore Nice upload!

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

As far as I know, Kuda Kepang is banned in all Town Council premises and NParks. They are not banned in all public places. Esplanade courtyard is a public place right?

[@CityWalksLondonVlog]

Gorgeous traditional performance love the colours of the costumes, really enjoyed it😊😊👍👍🙏🙏

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

This traditional performance is seldom performed. It will vanish from Singapore soon. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@kartikeyawalks6066]

Wonderful performance ...never seen such event ...very nice...Great sharing! keep it up with your content......Thanks for sharing👍👍👍

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you Kartikeya ❤

[@ktt1948]

Thank you for the video. Its really amazing.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you for the comment 🙏

[@arcie3716]

Beautiful tradition. Sad thinking about how this practice can’t be shown as publicly anymore. Glad you got some footage tho

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

I am sad too. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@mashadi8912]

This is haram in Islam

[@MDroid-bn6eb]

@@mashadi8912riba is haram but you also put your money in the bank 😂😂

[@FALSTV]

Kami salah satu bagian Dokumentasi kesenian Jaran Kepang dari Yogyakarta Indonesia, terima kasih telah mengabadikan kesenian dari Jawa

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you for your nice comment. You are most welcomed.

[@melzzyzuniga5280]

sami sami

[@melzzyzuniga5280]

Nguri nguri budoyo Jowo neng Singapur. Manteb

[@MDroid-bn6eb]

Saw this live a few times at Malay wedding. Got one time, one of the Makcik was possessed. Took 5 men to pin her down. 😮😮

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Kuda Kepang performances are now banned on HDB premises, so we won't see any more at Malay Weddings. In Singapore, we can see this only at cultural performances.

[@wb488fkdperak9]

Kuda kepang ni adat kaum jawa,,,..klu kt m,sia negeri selangor n johor byk kuda kepang,,...pasal negeri tu byk bangsa jawa,,,...apa yg tau s,pore tak ramai bangsa jawa,,,..tp tarian kuda kepang s,pore mmg hebat,,,,...

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

There are not many Javanese people in Singapore. But the tradition lives on. Thanks for your comment.

[@melzzyzuniga5280]

@@SingaporeCityWalks actually there are many but chose to be considered as Malays

[@flfreaks3745]

@@melzzyzuniga5280 Correct. Not many non-Malay or Javanese people in Singapore aware that they are so many Javanese people in Singapore. Out of every 10 'Malay' friends I have, at least 6 of them always have Javanese blood from either one of their parents or both. It's probably due to that during Singapore Independence, race were drawn into 4 main races (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian). Many of Javanese just declared themselves as Malays as it is the nearest in term of ethnicity and especially religion. Even Pakistani, Arab and Indian muslims declared themselves as Malay in their IC during this time. My pure blood Chinese late grandmother and her adopted Indian muslim family all input Malay in their IC's. And due to modernization and Muslim's way of life, anything tradition related things are usually confined to wedding events and cultural shows

[@TheLaughingLion]

Wow so many things i've never seen before at this event! Amazing traditions, thanks for sharing this rare show. 🙏🙏

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Kenzo, you are not the only one, 9 out of 10 people in the audience are seeing this for the first time too. This is a ‘Forbidden’ Art performance. Getting into trance and having spirit entering the performers’ bodies are un-Islamic. The Muslim authorities here are telling Muslims to stay away from this. However, Singaporeans of Javanese descent take this as part of their culture passed down from generations. This is a vanishing art.

[@BDWTravelTV]

awesome capture again. Thanks for this wonderful tour 😊

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thanks brother. This culture is vanishing. Better to capture and keep for record 😀

[@user-uy7qs1nf2q]

@@SingaporeCityWalks привет из Москвы, полностью согласна с ответом. Надо сохранять наследие предков

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

@@user-uy7qs1nf2q Thank you for your comment.

[@JimNicholls]

Another very interesting video. New camera? That seems to be a very high-level product, but I guess you wouldn't use it for your usual walks?

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Jim, you are observant. I used my professional Panasonic UX180 video camera as I know that I needed to get closeup shots. It's not practical for my walks as it's heavy and has no stabiliser. Did you watch my old Kuda Kepang video that has 4.3M views? It's in the video description and here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHmqnXV4a7B7nZI

[@BangSigit905]

How do you do? My new friends. Thank you for your sharing this video. I am sorry, i just find your channels. See you again.🎉🎉🎉

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you for watching, my new friend 😀

[@LEILAARTSPACE]

Very cool traditional dance performance. They remind me of warrior fighting 🤩👍🏼 the end seems a little unsettling

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Indeed these are warriors getting ready for battle. The spirit of the horses entered their bodies as they breathe the incense and listen to the chanting gamelan (ga-me-lan) music. The horses are whipped to be disciplined. The Shaman wakes them up one by one at the end. This form of cultural performance is viewed by The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore as non-Islamic. In fact many aspects are contrary to the Islamic teaching. Muslims in Singapore are advised to avoid this ritual. All Town Councils have already banned these performances at their premises. Therefore this Art Form will vanish from Singapore soon. Kuda Kepang performances used to be common during Malay weddings. It has been banned for many years already. Have you seen my old Kuda Kepang video in my CM Chen channel? It has achieved 4.3M views to date. The link is here. Please watch when you are free. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHmqnXV4a7B7nZI

[@LEILAARTSPACE]

@@SingaporeCityWalks thank you for the detailed explanation. I now have a better understanding towards it. I just watched the other video in the rain. It’s really admirable the amount of passion they putting into the performance. It’s amazing you are preserving this unique tradition 🤩👍🏼💜

[@boi1983]

I am glad that I saw the dance with posession before it was banned here.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

It's banned in public places. I think this can still be performed in private places.

[@mauly_caine]

Baru nemu kuda lumping atau jaranan yg dibawa kan oleh orang luar sebagus ini😊

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Where did you see the horse? Thanks for watching.

[@melzzyzuniga5280]

manteb

[@melzzyzuniga5280]

matur suwun mbak. nguri nguri budoyo Jowo wong Jawa Singapur

[@yanyanys]

can i ask why the dancers are eating the glass because I read that they cannot be shown glass so they wont eat it. If there is any interesting facts about this i would be grateful if can you explain it to me. I chose kuda kepang as one of my subtopics for my presentation and I would like to understand it better.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

I believe they are chewing the glass and spitting it out. Not eating it. I'm only guessing. You can check out this FB group below and contact the leader, Cikgu Wandi for further information. facebook.com/groups/kksgpublic/

[@Katulo]

I love this region ❤

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you my friend 😀

[@rohaniabubakri9811]

Kalau setakat je, ok saya pun suka. Tapi kalau dah sampai menurun. Saya selalunya back up. Balik

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thanks for watching.

[@user-gh1ye5uo8w]

❤

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you for watching.

[@JohnPaulSeeTravelFilms]

very nice ❤

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you John 😀

[@shearsshears9269]

Use to warch every weeked but they banned...where can i watch the performance again?

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

You can check out their FB for information. "Kuda Kepang FANS !!!! (s'pore) - for public"

[@mdrasyid]

At no 10 neo tiew lane 8th and 9th Jun 2024.there will be 5 group performing.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

@@mdrasyid Thank you for informing. I will not be free this weekend. Maybe go next time.

[@StanligFilms]

this is cool

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you my friend 😀

[@danialroslan1531]

If town council bans kuda kepang because of noise, then why lion dance is still performed in neighborhoods? double standards

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

I think they ban kuda kepang for other reasons too.

[@alhussain1108]

Ya karena mayoritas singapore sekarang chinese lah😢

[@anasfahrudin3745]

​@@alhussain1108Singapura cinanya rasis dan punya sifat jancok perlu di habisi tu si anj cina

[@Syvzwan]

Its not because of noise plus Muis dont allow it. Against the teaching of Islam

[@zulhilmi8764]

Kirakan cool ah kalau kau budak kuda kepang? 😂

[@wasyuanwasyuanto3172]

Ini jaranan dari mana yg bang ebek kah

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thanks for watching.

[@lipatbaju382]

from last time till now...all bedek oni...

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you for watching

[@lipatbaju382]

@@SingaporeCityWalks tkyah bodek sini..

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

@@lipatbaju382 This is a performance. Bedek or not, it doesn’t matter.

[@wajarsaja271]

Rahayu.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thanks everyone for your comments and watching 🙏

[@SaepulkamilRayana-sk8lt]

Lagu yen kaye Sarimin pergi kepasar😂

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

??

[@Suradi-bn4bz]

hei saepul kamil yang lagunya kaya lagu upin ipin keledaian dari malon sudah kaya lawakan keledaian dari malon memang kalau kebudayaan boleh mengclaim begitu kaga paham jadi seperti keledaian dari malon itu

[@syirah586]

when will there be more perfomance ? 0:01

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thanks for watching. You can follow this Kuda Kepang group on FB to get the latest info. 'Kuda Kepang FANS !!!! (s'pore) - for public'

[@mdrasyid]

8th and 9th jun at Neo Tiew lane.there will be 5 group performing

[@Goodvibes30993]

Tangan terlepas kot auto pegang balik. Hahahahha

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Sorry, I don't understand your comment. Can write in a different way? Thanks.

[@yezidrokhmatulah9168]

nek wong jowo nang singapore, ngakune jowo opo melayu?

[@Bung_Roy]

Kuda Lumping ini setau gua cok

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Kuda Lumping and Kuda Kepang are the same. Thanks for watching.

[@dafarendrasaputra3426]

Mbanyumasan😂

[@aintnomercy2352]

Da boncet ye leader drg

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thanks for watching.

[@SyahmiRosli]

It's actually cool to look at. But leave the posession stuff aside laaah.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Yes, watch this as a performance for entertainment. Let's not dwell on the spiritual or religious aspect of this 🙏🙏

[@absyahwa7698]

Why everythung must be linked to islamic doctrine, let them be, its part of their ancient tradition nothing to do with islam and mustnt judged by the doctrine of islam😢

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you for your comment 🙏

[@danzy34]

they’re folks with jin ofc islam say no lol

[@absyahwa7698]

@@danzy34 bullshit wahhabist doctrine, their ancestors are forced to convert to islam, event sufism didnt ban this tradition, but the wahhabi doctrine forbid this, they have the rights to keep their tradition, dont listen some mumbo jumbo from arab desert cult

[@mashadi8912]

Because they say they are Islam. Unless they say they are not Islam, then will be different

[@Ayish00]

​​@@absyahwa7698 Lols I don't know how much your authenticity to say they force to Islam. But for Muslim, we prioritize religion first. Forget about wahabi or suffism as if you know what that means. Our main source is Qur'an and hadis. If our customs or adat oppose what Qur'an and hadis teach, we need to let go, such as possessing and more. If you are not muslim, you do you

[@donyjongky6001]

Iki wong jowo Singapore kah?

[@melzzyzuniga5280]

inggih mas

[@donyjongky6001]

@@melzzyzuniga5280 sampean asli jowo Singapore kah

[@melzzyzuniga5280]

@@donyjongky6001 inggih mas ..

[@donyjongky6001]

@@melzzyzuniga5280 keren,wong jowo neng Singapore akeh SG dadi pejabat opo ora hehe?

[@melzzyzuniga5280]

@@donyjongky6001 eneng mas .. akeh kyk Tarmugi... Yatiman .. Wok .. ariff

[@HidupBossKu]

7:54 bluff one. Mabuk bedek. Didn’t chew and swallow the glass. Spat out . Bunch of amateurs. none of them were on white horses. 😂

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

This is a cultural performance my friend.

[@HidupBossKu]

@@SingaporeCityWalks oh yeah? Explain to me the need for incense (kemenyan), incantations and offerings if it’s just a harmless cultural show.

[@risyqameerarusli8810]

They do hv white horse .... i guess they joined kuda kepang longer than u....if u ur good why dont u show us wat u ur capable of rather than making irrelavant comments here.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

@@risyqameerarusli8810 Thank you for your comment.

[@haceletkitoviamirai8518]

Javanese and islamic are same same but different what.. so is many religion. Not everything book say have then have. Just like jinn, bromoh, witch, shaman, black magic, satanism, toyo, kun mantong, evil eye. You dont recognise them doesnt mean they dont exist

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you for your point of view 🙏

[@user-yi7ls1xb8h]

mreka muslim ke?... kerana tk smua javanese muslim...kmudian ditarik2 smua

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

They are Singaporean Muslims of Javanese descends. Thanks for watching.

[@Bung_Roy]

​@@SingaporeCityWalksThanks for information. Believe it or not? Theres wild soul who can make us more stronger. But this is just art from Indonesian, but we just believe to our Lord "ALLAH SWT" who created everything in this world 😇 || If u need more, u can see with keyword "DEBUS" 😇

[@terusanzues6571]

Your performance is just lack one thing, the songs; like "turi putih", "anoman obong", "nyi roro kidul", etc.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you for your feedback 😀

[@Kertibuana_jaya]

La ini budaya Jawa yang patut di tonton kalo dimalesia malah dirusak doang ebeg malaesia cuma ngrusak budaya Jawa Indonesia ngga percaya lihat kuda lumping malesia elek banget

[@user-vy6uk6br7x]

Bodoh. Apa kau fikir Nusantara hanya pulau jawa? Belajar sejarah dulu baru nk mengata. Nusantara tu luasnya sebesar mna.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you for your comment.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thank you for watching

[@braderjohn4054]

Ambil la budaya kau tu, aku orang malaysia sikit pun tak heran

[@IkramHafizzudin-yp8jm]

@@braderjohn4054 ya, ambiklah budaya mengarut kau tu

[@warasepituwarasepita]

Syirik...satanic ritual..not islamic

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

This is part of Javanese culture, though not Islamic. Thanks for your comment.

[@warasepituwarasepita]

@@SingaporeCityWalks majoriti masyarakat jawa adalah Islam...ia tidak terpakai kepada yang beragama christian, hindu atau kejawen..so larangan syirik adalah untuk yang beragama Islam only

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

@@warasepituwarasepita Thank you for your comment.

[@MH-ct7gz]

Syirik..

[@wajarsaja271]

Syirik nya di bagian mana?

[@MH-ct7gz]

Seru jinn untuk masuk ke badan

[@wajarsaja271]

@@MH-ct7gz Jin masuk badan???? Kamu hanya berprasangka atau sedang menfitnah? Kalo ga tahu tanya langsung ke pawang atau ikut, baru lu komentar kamu tahu hukum akibat fitnah ?

[@MH-ct7gz]

@@wajarsaja271 ni bkn firnah goblok.. ni kenyataan..

[@MH-ct7gz]

@@wajarsaja271 gi Mana tu pijak kaca.. kaki tk berdarah.. hahahah Bakar kemeyan seru jinn.. dipylul sama Tali.. bdn tk tetluka . Hahahahah Jinn ohhh Jinn

[@shamsuriahmad6959]

Ada unsur2 syirik.....hentikanlah adat2 yg menyalahi hukum agama.....

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

I am not in position to comment on customs vs religious laws. Thanks for watching.

[@Austin-gr7fj]

jgn tinggalkan adat kaum sendiri untuk agama

[@warasepituwarasepita]

​@@Austin-gr7fjboleh sahaja hanya tarian dan muzik sahaja.. tinggalkan pemujaan setan musuh nombor 1 agama...

[@makkawaru.]

Does anyone know why there has never been a male-dancer got "possessed" by opposite sex spirit like "spirit of princess", if what the claimings of those lgbt is true (that they are "women trapped in men's bodies")???🤭 This has proven the deception of lgbt behind their stubborness and rebellious nature, they are just the most terrible people in all stratification groups of any society. Kuda kepang or known as kuda lumping, which originated from javanese culture, are actually performance show of one's animality-spirit. Yes, they were no "outside"-spirit invoked in this act. It actually is their own spirit (animality spirit) that was invoked. In such act, the dancers conscious mind has to be "switched off" and this is the reason why the bomoh / medium has to fence off from other spirits from any mischief of wandering-spirits by mantras and smoke. The sinister reason why acts of invoking own spirit is banned in singapore is to conseal this truth from the lies of the lgbt false claims. Not because of dangerous acts of walking on broken glass or such, as there have been much more dangerous acts that is not banned, like tangkis that walk on sharp swords, hindus walking on burning charcoals with sharp rods and hooks poked everywhere on their body... This whole thing is a political deception.

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

Thanks for your comments.

[@HidupBossKu]

You think too much. Merepek.

[@rwbyrealm2061]

what r u on about

[@haceletkitoviamirai8518]

Relax sial