Page 193 - Nora a Living Dance Tradition of Southern Thailand
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Menorah in Malaysia
One of the main areas where Nora
is known and practiced outside of Thailand
is in Thai communities on the Malay
peninsula, where it is often called โ€Menorahโ€
or โ€Menoraโ€. Nora traditions linked to 19th
century Siam are found among Thai
communities living in the northern Malaysian
states of Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis and Penang.
Some troupes active in Malaysia since
the early 20th century performed spirit medium
healing rituals, rites to fulfill vows and to
initiate performers, at Buddhist temple fairs
to mark the death of monks or at community
gatherings like weddings and festivals, often
at Thai Buddhist temples or for rich families.
Like Nora in Thailand, Menorah performances include stylized dance, singing, comedy, and drama based on Buddhist
stories and local myths, and used elaborate beaded costumes. Menorah in Penang took on features from Malay and Chinese
culture. In Kelantan, Menorah performance has come to include some features of other traditions found there like Mak Yong.
The musical ensemble of Menorah consists of instruments more common in Malaysia than in Thailand, and Menorah singing and
chanting uses both Thai and Jawi. While the dance and singing is largely like that in Thailand, the stories and dialogue resemble
Mak Yong in some ways. In 1991, the Kelantan state banned public performances of Mak Yong, Menorah, and Wayang Kulit for
violating various Islamic guidelines and rules, and Menorah remains banned there as of 2020.
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