Balancing Tradition and Faith: The Heritage-Maqasid Shariah Dilemma in Johor’s Kuda Kepang Performance

The Javanese community has been established in Malaysia for a long time, particularly in the state of Johor. Despite the generational distance from their ancestral homeland in Java, Indonesia, this community has retained many aspects of its cultural heritage. One of the most prominent cultural practices that continues to thrive among the Javanese in Johor is the performance of Kuda Kepang, a traditional dance that involves dancers riding bamboo or wooden horses. This dance is believed to have been introduced to Malaysia during the migration of Javanese laborers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Although it has evolved over time, Kuda Kepang remains an integral part of Javanese cultural expression in Johor, particularly in Batu Pahat. The research employed a qualitative case study methodology, focusing on Kuda Kepang's performance in Batu Pahat. Data were primarily collected through observation of performances, with particular emphasis on the unique actions displayed by the groups. The study highlights intriguing aspects of Kuda Kepang performances, particularly the trance states the dancers enter. These trances are a key feature of the dance's ritual aspect, in which dancers may exhibit extraordinary physical feats or movements under the belief that they are spiritually possessed. However, these trance-induced actions raise concerns under the Maqasid Syariah, the Islamic legal framework that seeks to protect faith, life, intellect, progeny, and property. The study concludes that certain elements of Kuda Kepang, particularly the trance performances, pose potential threats to Aqidah Islamiyyah and personal safety. The continuation of these practices is problematic within the framework of Islamic teachings, which emphasize safeguarding spiritual and physical well-being.