DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 399 937 IR 056 052
AUTHOR Saad, Mohd Sharif Mohd TITLE History, Dreams and Reality: Storytelling Programs in Malaysia. PUB DATE 93 NOTE 14p.; In: Dreams and Dynamics. Selected Papers from the Annual Conference of the International Association of School Librarianship (22nd, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, September 27-30,1993); see IR 056 045. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) Speeches/Conference Papers (150)
EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Cultural Education; Drama; *Educational Strategies; Foreign Countries; History; Library Funding; Library Role; *Library Services; *Oral Tradition; Puppetry; Reading Aloud to Others; *Story Telling; Technological Advancement; Television IDENTIFIERS Barriers to Implementation; *Malaysia
ABSTRACT Storytelling, a powerful means of providing children and adults with life-enhancing mental images, has been atradition practiced by most cultures throughout the world. Passed on from one generation to another, the stories freed the imagination and stretched the capacity for such feelings of joy, sorrow,sympathy, and hope. The stories usually have a universal message,especially in their aim to cultivate positive norms in societies. The characters or settings might be different but the plots, themes, and genres are identical. The paper describes the history of storytelling in Malaysia, with emphasis on Malay storytelling, and describescurrent storytelling activities for children in libraries. Methods of storytelling, storytelling contests, professional storytelling groups, and examples of three libraries'storytelling programs are also discussed. Storytelling activities are facingchallenges from the technological developments of television, computers,and video arcades. Despite lack of staff, budget and other constraints, libraries are working diligently to carry on storytellingactivities. Puppets, drama, television, and video-discs are among the methods used everywhere by storytellers today to reach theiraudiences. The motive of storytelling will always be the same, to entertain and educate the audience. Appendices contain a list ofstorytellers by state and method of presentation, tables of librariesand library activities, libraries and storytelling information, and methods used in storytelling at each library. (SWC)
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History, Dreams and Reality: Storytelling Programs in Malaysia by Mohd Sharif Mohd Saad School of Library and Information Science Institut Teknologi MARA Malaysia Introduction Maxwell wrote: Malaysia, historically known as the Malay Peninsula lies across the trade route linking Sitting in the balei of a raja or China, India, and the Arab countries to the chief, or in the veranda of a west. For centuries it has been a trading haven private house, when the sun has for all the various cultures:Chinese, Indian, gone down and the evening meal Arab, British, Dutch, and Portuguese.The is over, the storyteller, very likely neighboring countries, Thailand and Indonesia, a man who can neither read nor have also some cultural linkage with Malaysia. write, will commence one of the Ethnically, its eighteen million popula- romances of hisrepertoire, tion is multiracial which comprises the Malays, intoning thewordsin Chinese, and Indians in Peninsular Malaysia monotonous chant as if he were and the Ibans, Kadazans, Dayaks, Bajans, reading aloud from a book. He Melanaus, Kenyahs, Kayans, and many other has very likely been placed groups in Sabah and Sarawak on the islandof purposely near a doorway leading Borneo.It is divided into fourteen states and to the women's apartment, and the Malay language is the national language. the laughter and applause of the This paper describes the history of male audience without is echoed story-telling in Malaysia particularly pertaining from behind the curtains, where to the Malay storytelling.It will also describe the women of the household sit the present day activities for children in eagerly listening to the story. The libraries with an elaboration on storytelling recitation is perhaps prolonged activities. far into the night, and then Storytelling,a powerful means of pro- postponed, to be continued in the viding children and adults with life-enhancing succeeding night.There is no mental images, has been a tradition practiced hesitation or failure of memory on by most cultures throughout the world. Passed the part of the bait; he has been on from one generation to another, the stories at it from his youth up, and has freed the imagination and stretched the inherited his romances form his capacity for such feelings of joy, sorrow, father and ancestors, who told sympathy, and hope. The stories usually have them in days gone by to the a universal message, especially in their aim to forefathersof hispresent cultivate positive norms in societies.The audience.A small reward, a characters or settings might be different but the hearty welcome, and a good meal plots, themes, and genres are identical. await the Malay rhapsodist wherever he goes, and he wanders Historical Background among Malay villagers as Homer Malay storytellers, better known as did among the Greek Cities." "penglipurlara," have long existed even during Another well known British scholar, the Malay Sultanate.To Understand their R.O. Winstedt, also wrote about a Malay function we must first understand that the storyteller in 1908: word "penglipurlara" means a person that makes people happy.Among the earliest He started to chant, his voice at documented evidence of the existence of Malay first cracked with age and disuse 'I) storytellers was in the JMBRAS, dated 17th but strengthening as he warmed June, 1886. In his article entitled "Seri Rama a to his tale. The launch clock had 0 Fairy Tale Told by a Malay Rhapsodist," W. E. struck the hour of midnight:I
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY O CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as 40 received from the person or organization Ken Haycock originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. 2 Points of view or opinions stated in this TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES document do not necessarily represent INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." official OERI position or policy. dozed on the top of my cabin but tellers gave their hearts and souls to the stories still his voice rose strong and they rendered.These stories which are also interested the moonlit bay. For known as oral traditions have a mixed origin me its tale with its mixture of from India, Thailand, and he Middle East. many superstitions, layer upon These stories which involve tale-gods, demons, layer,possessedindeeda spirits, unusual animals, marvelous creatures dilettante interest; to him it was such as witches, ogres or fairies, or even what Robins Crusoe or Treasure conventionalized human characters such as the Island are to a school boy, what favorite youngest child or the cruel stepmother. the Odyssey must have been to a The story is usually an adventure and Greek fisherman. Adventure had love story, such as looking for something gone out of this life; his home was magical or a bride. Most of the themes, plots, poor; his clothes cotton, and his and characters of the stories are stereotyped, wife old and ugly.But as he and of course it will always concludes with a recited, he lived in a different happy ending.Among the stories told are wold; princes in the splendor of popular old Malay folktales. old world raiment fought battles These storytellers will usually tell their with magic arts and weapons, stories using rhyming words interwoven with rescued lovely maidens in distress, proverbs, riddles formulistic expressions, and travelled to land in search of songs thus making it easy for them to adventure, debonair, irresistible, remember. Along with the movement of parts of possessedof the secret perpetual their body especially the hands and the head, youth and passion.Visions of musical instruments, such as gongs, rebab (a sunlight and sea peeped out of two-stringed musical instrument), and batil the rude verse; sails filled with the (copper bowl) were also being used to make freshening breeze, and youth sat theirpresentation moreeffectiveand at the prow gay with silks and interesting. It is interesting to note that one of color andlive,whispering the storytellers is known as "Awang Batil" honeyed nothing to princesses of because he uses a batil to create music and also the Malay Archipelago."1 uses masks to depict different characters in the From these two statements it is evident tales. that the storytellers during that period of time To employ theservicesof the weregreatly appreciated by their audiences. storytellers, reservations have to be made. They can charm the listeners till, lat night. Matters such as token fees, the stories they Although they be illiterate and live in poverty, want to hear, and accommodations will have to they handle their stories with pride and love for be discussed.The venue will also have to the art.They usually learned the trade form prepare a stage, complete with incense and former storytellers and enjoy doing it or a mere drinking water for the convenience of the token. storyteller during the show. These Malay storytellers, known as It is with regret to mention that this "Penglipurlara, were always popular during the form of storytelling is a dying art.Many Malay Sultanate era until the mid-twentieth individualsandagenciesinterestedin century.It was among the most enjoyable preserving these forms of oral traditions have forms of entertainment during that time. Apart recorded over six hundred of the stories told. from performing in the palace for kings and Some of the stories have been published, but it queens and noblemen, they also performed for will not be the same as being told orally since other audiences which at that time were mostly the storyteller will usually tell the stories in farmers. their own local dialect.The styles of presen- They usually tell these stories. in con- tation are different from each other. Apart from junction with a celebration such as weddings, using their local dialects, some of them chanted circumcision ceremonies, harvesting seasons, or and sang their stories and some were using other calibrations for a fee.Storytelling ses- musical instruments such as rebab, violin, sions are usually done at night and last from rebana, gong, and batil. one to three and sometimes even seven nights Although the era of performing in in a row. palaces has long gone, these storytellers are Being true professionals, there story- still being appreciated at weddings, during
41 thanksgiving at harvesting season, and at state of public libraries differs from one sate to fairs.They are still popular among the older another. Apart from each state library having a generation.Public libraries have invited the children's department, there are also libraries storytellers to tell their stories there.Apart set up solely to serve children, e.g., the Pustaka from these storytellers, there have also been Bimbingan Kanak-kanak, Taman Tun Dr. other kinds of storytelling in the form of the Ismail in Kuala Lumpur, and Child Play Centre theatrical productions known as: in Petaling Jaya, Salangor. Bangsawan, theatrical productions of acting, dancing and singing are for all kinds of Children's Activities in Libraries audiences. They are performed at weddings, at Children are always eager to participate the palaces, or even at fairs and in the country- in programs designed for them. Although much side.Stories performed are classical stories work is involved in organizing the activities, from the Middle East, India, or Malaysia. librarians all agree that it is a rewarding Mak Yong, a dance theater, incorporates experience for both the children and the the elements of stylized dances, songs, music, librarian. and acting.It is said to have originated in Libraries involved with children's Thailand at least four hundred years ago. activities have always aimed at encouraging the Wayang Ku lit, shadow play, is said to use of the library and its collection. The library be the most ancient form of theater in staff has always viewed it as a good public Peninsular Malaysia. The Dalang or puppeteer relations effort. In addition to providing fun to must memorize the story.The Puppeteer children as they listed to stories, watched manipulates characters of the different stories puppets, and participated in art and craft and also maintains a dialogue between a wide sessions, these activities also aimed to instill assortment of characters, male and female, creativity and encourage reading among the spoken in the characters' voices. They perform children. It is also a good method to foster good for hours with intersess;ions by gongs and relationships with parents and other library drums which are being used to emphasize a patrons. scene or to mae it more dramatic. Libraries have long realized that thy Jikey includes choral singing, music, have an important role to play in the mental, and dance drama.This form of theater is physical, and social development of children.I popular in the states of Kedah and Perlis which conducted a small survey which involved the are north of Peninsular Malaysia. fourteen main state libraries.I also included With the advent of modern entertain- the children's department of the National ment such as television, film, and video, these Library of Malaysia and two other children's forms of traditional entertainment are slowly libraries, i.e., The Pustaka Minbingan Kanak- declining. Apart from not being able to sustain kanak, Taman Tim Dr. Ismail, and the Child the interest of the younger generation, Play Centre. involvement in these occupations isalso As can be seen from Figure A, the considered as having low social status since the activities for children are varied and include monetary returns are not that lucrative. circulation, storytelling, film/video shows, art During the years there has never been a and handicraft sessions, games, book talks, demarcation between entertainment for children clubs, and storytelling competitions. The or adults.Penglipurlara, Bangaswan, Mak activities are usually carried out by the library's Yong, or Wayang Julit are entertainments for own staff, sometimes aided by volunteers. It is all walks of life and ages.Apart from its not surprising that not all activities can be recreational value, it has always been a tool for carried out since lack of staff is a common bonding togetherness and promoting positive problem for most libraries. attitudes such as respect for the elders, doing good for others, respect and love for the country Storytelling Activities and nation, and many others which are Storytelling has always been viewed as important elements in any nation building. an agent in the promotion of reading and the use of libraries.Since children have always Children's Library Services enjoyed it, the library should make it a point to The children's services programs in have it regularly. Although storytelling is one of librariescorrelatehighly withlibrary the major activities carried out, survey results development in the country. The development shown in Figure B indicate not all libraries are
42 able to have their storytelling sessions as activities does take a lot of preparation regularly as once a week. Out of the seventeen time. libraries only about five have weekly sessions. e.Not all public libraries have space The others have their sessions, once every provision for children's activities. fortnight, monthly, one every three weeks, and Having story hours means making other some are even irregular.This is easily arrangements for space. understood since the storytelling session is done Despite all these hindrances, the public in succession with other activities such as libraries constantly try very hard tocarry out video/film shows or others. storytelling.The positive reaction of the This is also due to the fact that in children and parents present at these sessions conducting storytelling, a lot preparations have gives much encouragement for the staff to to be done and the library usually does not have continue doing it. enough staff to devote their time doing it, neither can they depend too much on volunteers. Methods of Storytelling It may seem that most libraries do have at From the survey I also gathered various least one professionalstaff involved in methods that have been used in storytelling in storytelling activities or children's activities, but Malaysia. They are reading aloud, puppetry, the children's sections usually come under the theater, using books as well as theuse of Circulation Department, and the professionals transparencies, and flannel charts (As shown in in this department are not only responsible for Figure C). Both the professionals and thenon- children's activities but other activities relating professionals combine their efforts in carrying to circulation too. out storytelling. Although storytelling is agreed to be one TheNationalLibrary andthe of the most favorite attractions, the library Malaysian Library Association, as wellas some sometimes fails to carry it out regularly due to public libraries, have organized workshops several constraints: using local and foreign expertise in trying to a.Storytelling and other children's make storytelling more challenging and activities are usually carried out on interesting for the audience.Occasionally the Saturday mornings when schools libraries will also invite storytelling groups from sometimes carry out other school teacher's training colleges, and library schools to programs (extra curricular activities). give the audience a fresh view of stories. The This will explain the small number in libraries have also been known to receive foreign attendance at some of the libraries. storytellers from Japan, Thailand, Germany, Some libraries choose to do storytelling Canada, and the United States. irregularly. They will only carry it out The use of a solo storyteller, puppetry, during the school holidays because it is using books, and reading aloud seem to be the only during that time they attract a most popular methods employed by the larger crowd. libraries. b.It is regrettable that some parents do feel that storytelling is a waste of time Storytelling Contests for their children. Some feel that the It is evident from the survey that children should spend their time storytelling contests seem to be a popular yearly reading and not listening to stories or activity for most libraries. Apart from libraries, singing songs or rhymes. teacher's training colleges, and other voluntary c. With modern technology, storytelling organizations also organize these contests for programs must be really good in order the children. These contests are usually carried to get the attention of children, so out with the help of the schools. The schools planning and practice take up a lot of usually hold the preliminary rounds to select time and effort of the library staff. the representative for their schools. d. Not alllibraries have children's Parents and teachers have always librarian posts. Most of the librarians viewed these contests as outlets for their are also supposed to carry out other children to be creative, promoting good language professional duties in the library and development, and building self confidence. It is this does not leave too much time to also a good form of recreation for the plan and rehearse for children's participants and audiences. The participants activities.Involvement in children's are judged on their style of presentation,
43 5 language, choice of story, and props used. called Negeri Sembilan, the library has been very successful in promoting library services for Professional Storytelling Groups children. In March 1990 the library launched a Apart from storytelling groups in club for children under the age of fourteen libraries,a new breed of professional known as "Kelab Adikku." This club is under storytelling group seems to have sprung up the patronage of the wife of the Chief Minister of during the eighties.Some were formed for the state. Currently more than seven hundred commercial purposes, i.e., to perform at private children from all over the state have registered birthday parties or other engagements, but as members. They carry out their activities on there are also groups being set up by non-profit Saturdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and agencies to perform for children just for the love from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. of it. Those groups believe in storytelling for the The personnel of the library also carry promotion of reading and a good form of leisure out their activities using volunteers, especially for children.As an example, groups from the students from institutions of higher learning Deqan Bahasa dan Pustaka (National Library who enjoy doing activities for children.In Agency), popularly known as "Si Nuri" (the addition to the normal routine sessions of art mascot is a bird) perform in public and schools and craft, storytelling, songs, quizzes, and with the aim of promoting reading. visits, the children in the club also receive To conclude, I would like to describe coaching in theater, singing, and dancing. children'sactivitieswith emphasis on Occasionally, they have been invited to perform storytelling of three libraries in Malaysia to at functions for children and adults. show how a typical children's library program is The club also has a radio show every carried out in Malaysia. Sunday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm which is being broadcast throughout the state.To keep the Pustaka Bimbingan Kanak-kanak, Taman members informed the club also publishes a Tun Dr. Ismail, Kuala Lumpur monthly magazine called Berita Adikku since its This library is situated at one of the members are from all over the state and some housing estates in the city of Kuala Lumpur. only hear about them through the radio show. Due to its strategic locality it does not have to This monthly magazine is filled with articles of publicize its activities to attract children. general knowledge, short stories, comic strips, Weeklyactivitiesespeciallyon quizzes, and crossword puzzles which most of Saturdays and Sundays such as games, art and the members enjoy. craft classes, and storytelling are carried out. Methods of storytelling such as reading aloud National Library of Malaysia. Children's and puppetry are applied here.It is very Department fortunate that the librarian and the staff here Puppetry, storytelling, drama, shadow are specially assigned to this children's library plays, music, choral singing, arts and crafts, so much of their time and efforts are being folk dancing, pantomimes, and physical and channeled into these activities. vocal exercises are some of the experiences The library personnel also have their provided to children at the National Library. own puppet group which not only performs at Since 1981 they have been actively involved in their own library but occasionally travels to children's theater. There objective in setting up other libraries and other places such as school the children's theater were: and hospitals to entertain and promote reading. i.to introduce children to the world of The children enjoy the services of the literature, library which is open from Tuesday to Sunday. ii.to instill reading habits, The staff has to sacrifice their Sunday holidays to entertain and develop children's so that they can have the activities with the imagination and their communicative children since activities on Saturdays sometime abilities, and do not get the support because there are also iv. to introduce the library as a center of concurrent school activities. recreation and leisure. The children meet every Saturday and Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Negeri Sunday.The stories used in the theater Sembilan production are from books in the library, thus it Situated about seventy kilometers from serves as an effective means of introducing the city of Kuala Lumpur and in the state children to reading and literature. Apart from
44 6 performing in the library they also perform at national book fairs, Children's Day celebrations, References and even on radio and television programS. The activities were discontinued in 1. Bauer, Caroline Feller.Handbook for 1992 since the National Library was at the Storytellers.Chicago: American Library stage of moving into their new permanent Association, 1977. building. Now they are starting to reorganize their activities again. 2. Devadson, Shellatay and Md. Shukri Edrus."Children's Theatre in Malaysia," Conclusion Country Workshop on Library Children's Storytelling as a form of activity for Theatre in Asia, March 1987. children has its unique way of consoling, healing,and reviving the child for words and 3. Maguire, Jack. Creative Storytelling: pictures to express what he or she perceived. Choosing. Inventing, and Sharing Tales for Many believe storytelling which as been a Children. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1985. practice from one generation to another will never lose its magical power in touching the 4. Mohd Sharif Mohd Saad. "Program hearts of the young and old. Every child knows Bercerita di Malaysia. Pandangan dari that the stories are dreams or "make believes." Aktiviti Yand Dijalankan di Beberapa But it is just natural for children to take time Buah Perpustakaan." Paper presented at out from the real world. the Seminar dan Lokakarya Internasional In reality we have to face the fact that Mendongeng. Jakarta, February, 1992. storytelling activities are facing challenges from the present-day high technological world. Today 5. Mustafa Mohd. Isa Awang Belanga: many parents are concerned that children are Penglipurlara dari Perlis. Kuala Lumpur: immersed in an overtly visual world of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1987. television, computers, and video arcades.In reality too, the library is facing the challenge in 6. Mohd Taib Osman. Bunga Rampai Kebud- making storytelling captivating for the younger ayaan Melayu.Kuala Lumpur:Dewan generation. Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1988. Despite the lack of staff, budget and many other constraints, libraries especially the 7. Shahaneem Mustafa and Molina Nijhar. public libraries are working diligently to carry "Reaching Children Through Libraries in on storytelling activities.Initiatives have Malaysia." Paper presented at 6th always been taken by the libraries to ensure Congress of South East Asian Librarians. the children will not be deprived of the Singapore, 30th May-3rd June, 1983. opportunity to listen to stories.However, sophisticated the world turns out to be, children 8. Surveythroughquestionnaireand will always remain as children. They just love telephone interviews with the libraries listening to stories especially if the teller is concerned. good. Puppets, drama, television, and video- 9.Visits and interviews with librarians from discs are among the methods used everywhere the National Library of Malaysia, Pustaka by storytellers today in reaching their audience. Taman Bimbingan Kanak-kanak, Taman Both children and adults enjoy them.It may Tun.Dur.Ismail,and Perbadanan just be a change of format or style as evidenced Perpustakaan Awam Negeri Sembilan. in Malaysia. From Penglipurlara" to modern storytelling or children's theater, the audience will still be children or what we can call adults who are children at heart.The motive will always be the same, to entertain and to educate the audience. Be it new words or new experiences for them, stories they have heard will always echo in there memories as one of the most enjoyable moments in their lives.
45 Appendix 1 Name of "Penglipur Lara" (Storyteller) According to Origin of State
Name Area (State Method of Presen- Musical Instrument Country) tation of Stories Used
Tank Salampit Kelantan Songs, Chanting, Normal Rebab (a two-stringed Perlis storytelling musical instrument
Selampit Perlis Chanting, Poems, Normal Batil (copper bowl) storytelling
Jubang Kedah Songs, Chanting
Ahli cerita Pahang Songs, or Chanting Begbana Terengganu (Tambourine)
Kaba Selangor Chanting Violin or Rebab
46 LIBRARIES ACTIVITIES FIGURE A 0Fr) X P
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