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AWANG BATIL
Kg. Pokok Sena, Chuping, 02600 Kangar, Perlis
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Today's Visitor
5
Number of Visitors
31
Introduction and history
Awang Batil is a Perlis art of musical storytelling. This art is performed by a narrator, the penglipur lara, known as Awang Batil. He narrates stories while tapping a bronze pot (made to store water). The tapping is the background music of the narration.
Initially, Awang Batil was known as Awang Belanga because instead of tapping a pot, he did a belanga. However, the belanga was filled with coal, thus later it was replaced with a batil, a copper container. Back in the day, Awang Batil travelled through villages especially those having weddings to tell his stories.
In modern times, awang batil performances are held at the government culture and heritage programmes
Musical Instruments and Mask
Not only can Awang Batil tell stories and musically tapping his fingers on the bronze pot, he also plays violin, flute and drum. Donning masks of the characters in his stories, he livens the imagery of the plot, adding to the novelty of his storytelling.
Awang Batil tells a lot of folk tales. A story consists of many series and which need to be narrated for a few nights to complete. Witty, humourous, and captivating, he taps the pot with his fingers, regaling his listerners night after night. At certain parts of the story, he dons masks, suffusing his characters in the story with vigour. The mask is carved from a piece of wood, usually painted red and white. When performing at weddings, he builds a four-meter square hut to sit. The audience will sit around him in the hut relishing his tales.
Romli bin Mahamud
1) Tokoh Orang Hidup Warisan Kebangsaan 2015
2) Anugerah Malam Produksi Budaya Tradisi Negeri Perlis 1983
3) Anugerah Penggiat Seni Negeri Perlis 2002 (Category: played music)
4) Perlis State Cultural Figure Award 2012
5) Anugerah Tokoh Cendana Budi 2015
Reference Source
Bahan Bacaan:
i. Tokoh Budaya Negeri Perlis (1).
Kajian dan Teks, REJAB F.I
ii. Tokoh Budaya Awang Batil.
(Pendukung Sastera Lisan)
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Siti Rohayu binti Muhamad
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Perlis
Kompleks JKKN Perlis
Persiaran Wawasan Kangar
01000 Kangar
PERLIS
019-504 0015
