The pontianak in contemporary dance in Malaysia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21721952 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Joseph Gonzales (0000-0002-3582-2704, Sunway University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 221-235 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-04 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Studies in Theatre and Performance (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1468-2761 • E-ISSN: 2040-0616 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14682761.2026.2617809 |
| OpenAlex | W7125433373 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 12 |
This study examines how pontianak-themed choreography might expand the aesthetic and narrative possibilities of Malaysian contemporary dance. It asks: What choreographic interventions become possible when the pontianak—a central figure in Malaysian popular imagination but largely absent from contemporary dance – is mobilized as a creative catalyst? Since independence in 1957, contemporary dance in Malaysia has evolved through exchanges between traditional forms and Western techniques, with attention focused primarily on nation-building and postcolonial identity. This research shifts that discourse by foregrounding a mythic, gendered, and transgressive figure whose presence unsettles conventional frameworks of Malaysian performance. To contextualize the pontianak’s cultural force, the study traces its prominence in Malay cinema, its ban from 1974 to 2004, and its strong revival in recent film culture. Despite this popularity, the creature remains excluded from contemporary dance. Through a case study of A Delicate Situation by Australian choreographer Lina Limosani – the only known Malaysian-linked contemporary dance work centered on the pontianak—supported by literature analysis, surveys, and interviews, the study identifies cultural taboos, personal beliefs, and structural limitations that restrict its adaptation for the stage. The research demonstrates how mythic figures can diversify choreographic vocabularies and challenge dominant cultural narratives within national dance ecologies
Choreography · Contemporary dance · Dance · Modern dance · Asian Studies and History · Cultural Identity and Representation · Diversity and Impact of Dance
| Highly cited | No |
|---|