Dikir Barat

Dikir Barat is a popular source of entertainment for the Malay community in Malaysia. Traditionally a choral ensemble, a dikir barat group typically comprises a tok juara (lead vocalist), a tukang karut (jester), an awok-awok (chorus) of 12–16 persons, and a percussion ensemble of musicians playing the drums, gong, gong-chime, maracas, and sometimes a bamboo flute. Dikir Barat's origin is from the northern state of Malaysia, Kelantan and the borderlands of southern Thailand with Kelantan. The movements are usually created based on the meaning of the lyrics, and can also be influenced by some of the creative percussive compositions to add a tinge of virtuosity and relationship with music alongside dance.