The zapin dance in this performance is called Zapin Tenglu. This version of Zapin Tenglu seen here is special for male dancers for its swift, spontaneous and energetic move; also called as Zapin Tenglu Pak Akob. The woman version of this dance is softer and more controlled, known as Zapin Tenglu Mak Usu. This is one of many many types of zapin dances in Malaysia. This type of zapin dance is popular in the state of Johor. Each zapin dance type is differentiate by its names, moves and state/province/district of origin .
The dancers in this performance are those professional zapin dancers from Johor's Heritage Foundation (Yayasan Warisan Johor), needless to say one of the best professional folk dancers group in the country and Asean region!
Zapin or zafin was introduced to Malay archipelagos hundred of years ago by Arab traders who came here to trade and at the same time expand the teachings of Islam. After sometimes, the dance revolved to inculcate the values and tradition of the local Malay people until it wholly become unique in its own way but still maintaining some important features of zapin dance like the musical instruments used; gambus / oud, traditional drums etc., the Middle East melody in its song and the identical 8-counting-basic-movements in its dance!
Apart from the Malaysia's state where the zapin is danced by its people like Johor, Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sarawak and Sabah, zapin is also danced by the people in the neighboring country like Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.