Erecting the submerged tree trunk: Mak Yong theatre and practices of traditionalisation in the Riau Islands, Indonesia

Darmawan, Alan

Abstract

This article discusses the efforts of constructing the narrative of continuity that connects the Indonesian province of Riau Islands with the former Malay kingdoms, Riau-Lingga-Johor-Pahang, and supports the claims to be the heir of the originator of Malay civilisation. Focusing on the case of the revived mak yong theatre, I look at the roles of speeches, writings, stage performances, historic sites, and museum displays that serve as the very fabric of the narrative construction called traditionalisation. I argue that traditionalisation aims to authenticate mak yong as an iconic and official representation of Malay inheritance, with impact on its presentation today, justifying the claim and locating the Riau Islands in a prestigious position in the cultural configurations in Indonesia and the Malay world.

Citation

Darmawan, A. (2024). Erecting the submerged tree trunk: Mak Yong theatre and practices of traditionalisation in the Riau Islands, Indonesia. Indonesia and the Malay World, 52(152), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639811.2024.2294612

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 28, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Feb 13, 2024
• Publication Date: Feb 13, 2024
• Deposit Date: Feb 20, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 20, 2024
• Journal: Indonesia and the Malay World
• Print ISSN: 1363-9811
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-8382
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 152
• Pages: 1-28
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13639811.2024.2294612
• Keywords: Heritage, mak yong, Malay, performance, Riau Islands, traditionalisation
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13639811.2024.2294612