Much research has been done to find the real history of Dikir barat in Malaysia.
According to historical sources, Dikir Barat is based on a dance called "Tarian Patung Inai" that was very popular among Siam and Kelantan Society around 1800 to 1940. Then Pak Leh Tapang (Hj. Salleh) changes it to Dikir Barat.
Hj.Salleh - Pak Leh Tapang
Tarian Patung Inai is a traditional dance that is presented in a wedding ceremony where a leader (Tok Jogha) sings a song and then followed in unison by other members in the Dikir Barat group. The music of Dikir Barat follows the rhythm of "rebab" or "rebana Sunda". This activity has been a must when a wedding ceremony was held in Malay villages.
Dikir Barat is also connected with "Dikir Laba" or better known as "Dikir Punjab". "Dikir Punjab" is a play in Punjab language (Hindustan) or in Arabic language and has a very close connection with "Qawwali". "Qawwali" is a very popular culture among Indian. In Dikir Laba, the members of the group will sing a song and try to follow the rhythms by moving their body. They must raise their voice very high.
No matter what kind the dikir it is, Tok Jogho has a very big responsibility to make the song alive.
In year 1948, Pak Leh Tapang changed the way Patung Inai is played by adopting some of the elements from Dikir Laba and Dikir Punjab. The word "Barat (west)" is derived from the nickname given by the Kelantanese to the Siamese society. Although there are some who theorise that "Barat" comes from the word "Bharat" the old name given to the Indian sub-continent. This makes sense when taken in context of "Dikir Punjab".
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