The costumes and accessories used in the Cinta Sayang dance play an important

role in strengthening the cultural identity and aesthetic values of the performance.

Female dancers typically wear the Baju Kurung Kedah or a loose-fitting Baju

Kurung paired with a songket. Traditional accessories such as brooches, bracelets,

and long scarves (selendang) are used to complete the appearance. The

selendang is not merely decorative but also serves as a prop in the dance

movements, enhancing the grace and fluidity of the performance, symbolizing the

modesty and gentleness of Malay women.

In addition, other accessories such as hair ornaments, rings, and decorative

headpieces are worn to enrich the visual dimensions of the performance. Hair

adornments, usually consisting of jasmine flowers or other local blooms, are

arranged meticulously and neatly. Some dancers also wear cucuk sanggul

(hairpins) as additional ornaments.

With the evolution and adaptation of modern stage performances, the costumes for

the Cinta Sayang dance have undergone modifications to suit commercial

performance concepts. For example, male dancers’ costumes are often

redesigned to reflect a warrior identity. This appearance includes the Baju Melayu

with either cekak musang or teluk belanga collars, long pants, and samping

dagang luar with specific knots such as ikatan pancung (typically for nobility) and

ikatan kembung (commonly worn by warriors, dignitaries, or grooms). The

headgear usually remains the songkok to maintain the dance’s identity, or may be

combined with the wearing of the tanjak (traditional Malay headgear).

The Cinta Sayang dance is accompanied by a traditional musical arrangement that

enhances the graceful and romantic atmosphere of the performance. Among the

main instruments used are two long drums: the Gendang Pengibu, which plays the

main rhythm, and the Gendang Penganak, which provides the counter and

complementary beats. In addition, a gong player plays two gongs known as Gong

Jantan (male gong) and Gong Betina (female gong) to add rhythmic emphasis and

dynamic sound layers. The main melody is further enriched by the sounds of the

accordion and violin, producing harmonious, gentle, and melancholic tunes that

perfectly match the theme of love and longing at the heart of the dance.

The Cinta Sayang dance is performed in pairs between male and female dancers,

with the number of pairs usually ranging from two to eight, depending on the needs

of the performance. Among the main dance movements presented are:

1. Lenggok Santun

Dancers move their bodies and swing both arms gently and rhythmically to

the right, left, forward, and backward. This movement is performed by both

male and female dancers, but with differences in arm positioning. Male

dancers usually extend their arms to waist level while slightly puffing their chest and gazing at the female dancer. Female dancers maintain elegance

and modesty with smaller, more delicate arm movements.

2. Bunga Sudi

The dancers open their arms alternately to the sides while gracefully

bending their wrists upward, symbolizing gentleness and offering.

3. Lambung Angin

Both palms are opened wide and lifted upward, as if tossing the wind with

smooth and gentle motions.

4. Ayun Selendang

The female dancers remain in place while holding the ends of a scarf

(selendang) with both hands. The scarf is gently swayed to the sides

following the rhythm of the music. As they transition into the seated

movement, the dancers release the ends of the scarf and focus on the

subsequent hand and body gestures.

5. Silat Movement

The male dancers incorporate silat (traditional Malay martial art)

movements in a relaxed manner, highlighting the strength and masculinity

of Malay men.

a) Name: Mr. Wan Mohd Nor bin Wan Alam

b) Address: Taman Malaysia, Alor Setar, Kedah

c) Phone Number: 012-5454549