Manifestation of Malay Muslim Identity at Traditional Jepin Dance in West Kalimantan

Abstract

This study examines how traditional Jepin dance functions as a cultural practice that expresses and sustains Malay Muslim identity in West Kalimantan. Although previous studies have documented Jepin's history, choreography, and preservation, they have paid limited attention to its role in constructing and intergenerationally transmitting Malay Muslim identity. This study used a qualitative ethnographic approach, including in-depth interviews with four senior Jepin maestros from Kubu Raya Regency, Mempawah Regency, Sambas Regency, and Pontianak City, all of whom have actively preserved the tradition since the 1950s. The interview data were complemented by observation and documentation. The findings show that Jepin is more than a traditional performing art; it is a living cultural practice shaped by the historical process of Islamization in West Kalimantan. Islamic values are embedded in song lyrics, performance practices, costumes, and musical traditions, while their meanings are continuously transmitted through families, artistic communities, and cultural performances. Rather than functioning merely as symbolic religious elements, these practices enable Malay communities to express, negotiate, and reproduce their collective Muslim identity across generations. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that Jepin functions not only as an intangible cultural heritage but also as a medium through which religious values, historical memory, and Malay Muslim identity are continuously maintained within contemporary society