The costumes worn by Canggung dancers typically reflect the refinement and aesthetics of Malay culture through the elegant styling of traditional attire. Female dancers usually wear a long kebaya blouse paired with a batik skirt, or occasionally, a songket fabric to further enhance the elegance of their outfit. To complete the ensemble, they wear dokoh (tiered chest ornaments) in gold or silver. The hair is styled into a bun adorned with cucuk sanggul (hairpins), along with decorative flowers that add grace and charm to the dancers during the performance.

One of the most distinctive elements of the female dancer’s costume in Canggung Dance is the handkerchief (sapu tangan). The handkerchief is carried and used throughout the performance as a dance prop, where its folding, swinging, and fluttering movements create a soft visual rhythm that harmonizes with the dancer’s bodily motions.

For the male dancers, they wear the complete traditional Baju Melayu, either in the Cekak Musang or Teluk Belanga style, paired with trousers and a samping (waistcloth). To enhance the appearance, the male dancers also wear dokoh as a chest ornament. The songkok (traditional Malay headgear) is further embellished with a brooch, adding refinement and a sense of luxury to the attire. The color coordination of both male and female costumes is usually harmonized to ensure a uniform and visually appealing presentation on stage.

Musical accompaniment plays a vital role in enhancing and bringing life to the performance of Canggung Dance. The combination of various traditional musical instruments creates a harmonious rhythm and melody that complements the dance movements, pantun exchanges, and interaction between the dancers. The main instruments used include:

Serunai

The serunai serves as the primary wind instrument that produces the accompanying melody. Its melodious and ornamented notes create a traditional, melancholic atmosphere, setting the mood and regulating the tempo of the performance.

Gendang Terinai (Drum)

The Gendang Terinai establishes the basic rhythm of the music. Its beats provide a stable tempo, strengthen the overall rhythmic structure, and synchronize with the dancers' movements.

Anak Rebana

The anak rebana functions as an additional percussion instrument that enriches the rhythmic layers. Its soft beats fill the rhythmic spaces, adding depth and beauty to the accompanying music.

Gong

The gong is used to signal scene changes or to emphasize specific parts of the performance. Its deep, resonant sound enhances the dramatic atmosphere and reinforces the overall sonic dimension.

Gendang (Drum)

In addition to the Gendang Terinai, regular drums are also played to complement the rhythm. The combination of both drums creates more complex and lively rhythmic variations.

Violin

The violin adds a touch of modern melody, adapted into the Canggung Dance performance. Its bowing enriches the overall harmony, blending seamlessly with the serunai and other traditional instruments.

The combination of all these instruments creates a lively, cheerful, and entertaining performance atmosphere, perfectly aligned with the pantun exchanges and dance movements that are the hallmark of Canggung Dance.

The performance of Canggung Dance depends on the creative choreography designed by the choreographer in accordance with the rhythm of the accompanying music, as well as the structured dance movements that define its identity. The uniqueness of this dance lies in the combination of dance movements and pantun exchanges known as Lagu Canggung.

Song Lyrics;

Ala canggung makcik la makcik canggung

Canggung canggung ala lei la lei...

Nasi kunyit Sayang gulai lah yang ayam

Tang mana lah ayam

Dalam belanga lah ayam

Hai sedapkah ayam

Mari dimakan di batas lentang.

Ala canggung makcik la makcik canggung

Canggung canggung ala lei la lei...

Songkok senget Sayang jalan lah yang malam

Mengkala la malam

Sat ni la malam

Hai sungguh ka malam

Hendak memikat si sanggul lentang

Ala canggung makcik la makcik canggung

Canggung canggung ala lei la lei...

Kuala Tunggang dik oi di padang lah yang Siding

Tang mana lah Siding

Hai di sana la Siding Hai jauh ka siding

Tempat lah orang julang penangin

Ala canggung makcik la makcik canggung

Canggung canggung ala lei la lei...

Sanggul lentang dik oi bungalah sunti

sapa dok sunti

hai dia dok sunti

hai betoi kah sunti

Bagailah mana apa nak jadi

Ala canggung makcik la makcik canggung

Canggung canggung ala lei la lei...

Bukit Chupping sayang gua lah berani

Dimana berani disana berani

Hai sungguh berani

Tempat orang mengambil baja.

The number of dancers in Canggung Dance typically ranges from two to eight pairs of male and female dancers. In terms of movement patterns, Canggung Dance resembles the style of Inang Melayu but is distinguished by a quicker, livelier, and more dynamic tempo. This faster pace makes the dance more cheerful and vibrant, in line with the spontaneous nature of the pantun exchanges. The main dance movements commonly performed include:

Lenggang (Right, Left, Forward, Backward)

Basic body sways and arm swings in multiple directions, following the musical tempo rhythmically.

Sudi (Right and Left)

Movements involve extending the arms alternately to the right and left while opening and gracefully lifting the palms upward.

Lambung Angin

Both palms are opened wide and raised upward, as if gently tossing the wind in soft, fluid motions.

Duduk Setempat (Stationary Sitting)

Female dancers perform a seated-in-place movement while extending and swinging the right hand, which holds the handkerchief, to the side. The handkerchief is an essential prop symbolizing grace and delicacy in the dancer’s movement.

Ragam “C” (Creative Variation Movements)

Various creative variations are incorporated depending on the choreography and the skill level of the dancers, adding diversity to the performance.

Silat Movement (For Male Dancers)

Male dancers incorporate casual silat movements, showcasing the strength and masculinity of the Malay men.

Name: Encik Wan bin Che Mat

Address: Persatuan Seri Mawar, Perlis