The Rebana Kercing of Kampung Laut, Kelantan: A Case Study of a Cultural Community Project to School Pupils

Abstract

The Rebana Kercing, one of the traditional performances which, is declining in popularity among Kelantanese people. In its heyday, there used to be hundreds of groups performing the Rebana Kercing.  To date, the number has declined leaving only 3 groups performing Rebana kercing in the whole state of Kelantan. Realising the dying of Rebana Kercing, The Department of Culture and Arts together with the Rebana Kercing Club of Kampung Laut has successfully implemented the project Kelab Budaya Rakyat.  This project is a community service offered by the Rebana Kercing Club which is headed by Encik Harun, the main Rebana Kercing activist in Kelantan, to school pupils of three schools in Kampung Laut, namely Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kampung Laut, Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Kampung Laut and Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Laut.  As of now, the activity has flourised in Kampung Laut and considered as the star of arts product of Kampung laut. This paper will discuss on how arts are revived through the offering of community service to the younger generation by the arts activists.  This paper will also discuss the concerted effort done by the Rebana Kercing Club in making voluntary work profitable and worth venturing into despite the declining popularity of the art.  This paper is a live case that has borne fruits in its endeavour to sustain heritage as part of our society.