Melaka Welcomes Revival Of Ronggeng Dance As Cultural Tourism Draw

MELAKA, July 2 (Bernama) – The Melaka government welcomes the initiative by local arts practitioners to revive the traditional ronggeng dance as a potential new cultural tourism attraction, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said the effort would be carried out with careful consideration to ensure the traditional dance is promoted without violating Islamic principles.

“The idea of reviving ronggeng, or joget lambak as it is also known, is very interesting because it originated in Melaka but has been largely forgotten. So we will revive this traditional dance in an impromptu style, as long as it does not contravene hukum syarak (Islamic law),” he said.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the Bicara Seni Budaya discourse, held in conjunction with the Rentak Bertandak Antarabangsa Melaka cultural programme here today, Ab Rauf also received the programme’s resolution book from Nusantara Performing Arts Research Centre executive director Prof Dr Mohd Anis Md Nor.

Ab Rauf said the effort to revive the ronggeng dance could be carried out in collaboration with the Melaka branch of the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), along with several other parties.

According to Ab Rauf, ronggeng has unique artistic value and can be elevated as a state cultural asset alongside Dondang Sayang.

“The dance also incorporates pantun (traditional Malay rhyming verse), which helps promote and preserve Malay literary and performing arts,” he added.

On another note, the resolutions from the forum will be reviewed for inclusion in the state’s cultural policy as part of Melaka’s broader efforts to strengthen traditional arts and public appreciation of cultural heritage.

-- BERNAMA