Hang Jebat

I'm taking Farah and two other teenage nieces to a play later this evening. When I first suggested we go to this play they all went "Eeeuw...a Malay play?". Sad that the state of the Malay arts scene has such a huge un-hip quotient amongst the younger Malays. Heck, they even choose not to speak the language much these days.

Because I am their aunt, which means I have lots of clout over their parents, and because I am much older than them, and in our culture, that means they have to show me lots of respect, they are coming.

The play promises to showcase a different side of Jebat which I am excited about. Although Jebat gets a bad rep in almost every movie and play about Tuah & Jebat, I think he is a much better man than Tuah. It galls me to think that a brave and smart warrior that is Tuah could pledge unthinking loyalty to the (silly) Sultan, carrying out his orders even if it broke his heart (the Sultan was always lusting after the women Tuah loved).

Jebat on the other hand, had principles. He was loyal to the Sultan but he had principles and he stood by them. He was loyal to Jebat but was killed by the man he trusted and admired most. What tragedy.

Anyway, I've asked the girls to do some googling on Jebat and we could discuss after the play what they thought of the character and how the character is differently portrayed. And it looks like the girls are getting a bit more excited about going too. And what's there to be not excited about? There's Jebat and their favourite aunt.