Boria: A Conventional Theatre in Malaysia

This study this is considering Boria as a conventional performance in Malaysia. 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, conventional performance, ritual, Passion play, theatre. I. THE HISTORY OF BORIA ORIA originated in Persia. Various explanations have been advanced for referring to a receptacle or container holding incense, passed around during meetings of a religious nature. Some explanations describe Boria as carpet or mat where mourners would sit wailing and crying at times in a state of frenzy during the first ten nights of the month of Muharram, commemorating in question and response sessions the courage, heroics, specially the fourth caliph, Ali, his sons Hassan and Hussain, and their families. Finally, the term Boria means, in several Indian languages, sackcloth. There is a strong possibility that Boria with this concept of the word, because during the mourning period sackcloth was commonly worm (Fig. 1) [1]. Like contemporary Boria, nineteenth century Boria is believed to have consisted of an annual event held during the first ten days of Muharram in which various troupes dressed up as different characters and often accompanied by music. Most scholars report, however, that nineteenth century Boria were performed chiefly by Indian migrants comprising an amalgamation of sepoys (especially the Indian Native Infantry), laborers, convicts or traders rather that native Farideh Alizadeh, is with the Cultural Center, University of Malaya (UM), 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Mobile: 0060162887511; e-mail: [email protected]). Mohd Effindi Samsuddin, is with the Cultural Center, University Malaya,50603, Kuala Lupur, 0060162066477 (e-mail: [email protected]). Origin of Sepoy came from Hindi word "Sepahi" which means a soldier or a cop. No, a Sepoy is and Indian soldier serving under British command. They are also called 'Jawans'. Discontent with British administration in India led to numerous mutinies in 1857 and 1858; the revolt was put down after several battles and sieges (notably the siege at Lucknow). Classified under: Nouns denoting acts or actions. Synonyms: Indian Mutiny; Sepoy Mutiny. Read more: http://www.audioenglish.net/dictionary/sepoy Malays and that the performances were not competitive but fairly religious corresponding to the Shia Muharram festival. Thus these scholars stated that it was these Indian who first introduced the Shia Muharram festival with its accompanying religious zeal and pathos into nineteenth century Malaysia and that the local Sunni Malays by either observance or intermarriage with Indian migrants gradually adopted the religious Muharram festival as their own, transforming it into a non-religious practice. Similarly, several researchers argue that the origin of the word Boria is to be either from Persian or Indian languages, both of which have been introduced into the Malay language directly from India. Indian Shia put on Boria to Penang. Boria is developed in Penang in the later decades of the nineteenth century. Reference to the Dictionary of traditional South-East Asian Theatre reveals that two possible dates have been advanced, 1845 and 1874. It came to Penang through India and was almost certainly introduced into the island by Indians of Shia origin. Sunni do not observe in any substantial way the martyrdom Ali’s family [2]. Boria has been changed during the time from passion play to musical and comedy (Fig. 2) a study by H.T. Haughton shown that in Penang the name Boria is from the 21st regiment, and has become celebrated. Nowadays the Malays have given their own different names to it, but they call all of the Boria for the purpose of asking charity for them. In Madras wherever the Regiment is stationed the Boria play is performed [3]. In this case, Haughton in 1845 (as cited in Bujang, 1989) tried to organize the origin Boria in Penang by a group of Muslim soldiers of the Madras Infantry during the month of Muharram in as early as 1845. (Fig. 3) It is important to note that fully replicate: “To sing a tropical song. No derivation of the word is given. The use of the word is chiefly to the pantomimes of mimic play which are acted by Malays in Penang Town during the month of Muharram. It is passion origin, according to Forbes, and means a ‘mat’ in Hindustani. The following account of the word as I have received from an Indian in Penang will throw some light on the subject, as I believe, fanciful derivation of the word have been suggested. The plain meaning of the word Boriah in the Hindustani and Deccan language is a ‘place of prayer’ (praying carpet), and in Malay they call it “Tikar” (a mat). Formerly in the year 1845, the 21st. Regiment used to be given 10 day’s leave in the month of Muharram for the purpose of mourning of the Passion play (Taziyeh): Passion play is a dramatic form known as the Passion play and Taziyeh (Tazia) in India and also in Iran. Madras: Chennai, also known as Madras /mə dræs/, is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, it is a major commercial, cultural, and educational center in South India. Boria: A Conventional Theatre in Malaysia Farideh Alizadeh and Mohd Effindi Samsuddin B World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering Vol:7, No:9, 2013 2543 International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 7(9) 2013 scholar.waset.org/1999.10/16651 In te rn at io na l S ci en ce I nd ex , H um an iti es a nd S oc ia l S ci en ce s V ol :7 , N o: 9, 2 01 3 w as et .o rg /P ub lic at io n/ 16 65 1