The costume worn in the Layang Mas Dance reflects the refinement and elegance of traditional royal attire worn by palace women of the past. It consists of four main components, while complementary accessories further enhance the aesthetic elements of the dance.

a) Dancer’s Costume

1. Brocade or Songket Fabric

Layang Mas dancers typically wear Brocade or Songket, luxurious traditional fabrics adorned with floral or geometric patterns woven with gold or silver threads. The selection of this fabric accentuates the dance's beauty and nobility as a royal heritage.

2. Bengkong

The Bengkong is a cloth wrapped around the waist, complementing the songket fabric. It symbolizes neatness and order while providing structure to the costume for a more modest and elegant appearance.

3. Bapang (Traditional Blouse)

The bapang is a traditional blouse worn by the dancer. It features a loose-fitting, long-sleeved design, ensuring comfort during movement while maintaining the graceful and dignified character of Malay women’s attire.

4. Selendang (Long Scarf)

The most important element of the performance is the long scarf, tied at the waist and held between the thumb and index finger. This scarf represents bird wings and is used symbolically in dance movements to depict the illusion of floating or flying through the air.

b) Dancer’s Accessories

1. Hair Flower (Bunga Kepala)

Placed on the dancer’s head, the hair flower emphasizes femininity and softness in the dancer’s appearance.

2. Gendik (Forehead Ornament)

The Gendik is an ornamental piece worn across the forehead. It adds a touch of elegance and evokes an aura of nobility in the dancer’s overall look.

3. Pending (Ornamental Waist Buckle)

Pending is a decorative metal waistpiece, often intricately carved, worn to beautify the bengkong and give the wearer a regal identity.

4. Belt

In addition to the pending, a belt is also used to secure the bengkong and support the selendang wrap, ensuring it stays in place during the performance.

5. Hairpin (Cucuk Sanggul)

This accessory secures and adorns the dancer’s hair bun. It is usually made of metal and decorated with floral or nature-inspired motifs.

6. Bracelets (Gelang)

Dancers wear bracelets on both wrists, adding grace and harmony to the gentle flow of dance movements.

7. Dokoh (Chest Ornament)

The dokoh is a chest ornament hanging from the neck to the chest. Usually made of intricately carved metal, it conveys a sense of luxury befitting the royal backdrop from which this dance originates.

The complete costume and accessories enhance the dancer’s appearance and strengthen the visual and symbolic elements of the Layang Mas Dance, which is rich in aesthetic and cultural heritage.

The Layang Mas Dance is accompanied by traditional music that enhances every performance's graceful and elegant atmosphere. This music is known as Gendang Terinai, which originates from the Malay royal court tradition and is typically performed live by trained musicians. Four musicians usually play the accompanying music, each essential to creating rhythmic harmony.

1. Two Long Drum Players

• Gendang Pengibu – plays the main rhythm.

• Gendang Penganak – plays the responding or complementary rhythm.

2. One Serunai Player

• The Serunai provides the main melody and adds emotional color to the dance.

3. One Gong Player

• Plays two gongs known as Gong Jantan (Male Gong) and Gong Betina (Female Gong), which serve to emphasize rhythm and add dynamism to the music.

In terms of musical repertoire, two main categories of songs are typically performed during the Layang Mas Dance. The first category includes traditional Terinai melodies, such as Selong, Batu Belah, Cik Lang,  and Cik Sulung, which stem from court traditions and are rich in symbolic and spiritual elements.

The second category includes original Malay folk songs that are more popular or contemporary in nature, such as Mula Pasang, Kutip Siput, Gong Panjang, Kucing Berlaga, Anak Tiung, Cinta Sayang, and Terinai, often performed in a different variation.

Combining these musical instruments and songs produces a soft, flowing rhythm that harmonizes perfectly with the dancers’ graceful movements. Thus, music plays a crucial role in ensuring synchronization between dance gestures and traditional rhythm while also reviving the royal ambiance from which the Layang Mas Dance originated.

Nashirah binti K. Ahmad Kutty. No. 99, Jalan Tok Paduka, Kampung Sena, Kangar, Perlis. 2 Februari 2024.