Dikir Barat

What is it?

• Groups of typically 10-15 members
• Sitting cross-legged
• Musical theatre form
• Two halves to each performance
• Often done competitively 

Who's in it?

• Awok-awok
• Tok Juara
• Tukang Karut

How it works:

• Tok juara leads first half
• Tukang Karut leads second half
• They sing pantuns 
• Can have different tones 

In Competition:

• 'Duel of wits'
• Becomes a dialogue/debate
• Clever retorts gain audience over

Music

• Rebana Ibu
• Rebana Anak
• Gong
• Canang
• Maracuss

Costumes

• Baju Melayu
• Baju Kurung

Origin of Dikir Barat

• Either from Thailand or Kelantan
• Started as a wedding ceremony
• Fully spread by 1980s 

Now

• Many national competitions in Malaysia
• Malaysian societies in Western universities 
• Sponsored by governments
• Starting to incorporate English
• The best tok juaras and tukang karuts are famous  

Dikir Barat Example

Another Example