KOTA BHARU, El Sky News – Efforts to preserve and revitalise Malaysia’s traditional performing arts, particularly Mak Yong, have taken a significant step forward in Kelantan through a strategic collaboration between the Kelantan Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) and the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Kota Bharu Campus.
The partnership aims to introduce Mak Yong—a traditional theatre rich in historical and cultural elements—as a meaningful learning medium for trainee teachers.
“Dewa Pechil” Performance as a Learning Core
As part of this initiative, JKKN Kelantan recently staged the renowned Mak Yong production “Dewa Pechil” exclusively for IPG lecturers and students. Beyond its entertainment value, the performance served as a contextual study material integrated into the teacher training curriculum.
According to the Director of JKKN Kelantan, this initiative is crucial to ensure that traditional art forms are not lost to modernisation but instead embedded within the nation’s education ecosystem.
“Mak Yong Dewa Pechil is more than a legend—it carries moral lessons, cultural etiquette, and strong communication values. These are essential traits we hope to instil in future teachers, who will play a vital role in passing this heritage on to the younger generation,” he said.
Infusing Heritage Spirit into Teacher Training
The IPG welcomed this collaboration, describing it as a valuable opportunity to enhance pedagogical learning through cultural exposure. Hands-on engagement with Mak Yong enables trainee teachers to gain deeper insights into:
- Art Integration in Teaching: Applying storytelling, music, and movement elements of Mak Yong to make classroom learning more engaging and effective.
- Cultural Appreciation: Strengthening students’ national identity through understanding and valuing local heritage.
- Soft Skills Development: Cultivating verbal and non-verbal communication, empathy, and teamwork through theatrical understanding.
With such exposure, future educators are expected to excel not only in academic subjects but also as key ambassadors in preserving and promoting Mak Yong and other traditional arts across the nation.
The next step in this collaboration will involve discussions on incorporating Mak Yong elements formally into co-curricular activities at selected pilot schools under IPG’s supervision, ensuring the sustainability and continuation of this national heritage.
