Transition of Saba Dance Performance from Traditional to Modern

The Saba dance is one of the most famous traditional dances that performed medical rituals and also symbolic of the animistic beliefs of the local community in Terengganu. However, this dance is no longer performed for medical ritual purposes, but it is still performed for entertainment for the local community. The objective of this study is to explain the structure of traditional and modern Saba dance rituals. This study was carried out using qualitative methods through an ethnographic approach. Interview techniques and participatory observation with key informants were carried out to complete the data collection process related to Saba dance. Data and information are also obtained through the study of documents and libraries. The findings of the study show that there have been changes to the structure of Saba dance performances compared to previous performance structures, especially from the point of view of ritual procedures, equipment and dancers' clothing. The growing influence of Islam in the local community is one of the factors that led to the change. Medical rituals that used to be performed with the ceremony of summoning ethereal beings are no longer practiced by the community today because it is considered superstitious. Changes to the structure of the performance are also made to ensure that it is always relevant and in line with societal changes so that it can be performed more actively and traditional dances of high cultural value, such as the Saba dance, can be maintained and preserved as best they can.