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Zapin can be traced to dances introduced by the Middle Eastern missionaries who arrived in the Malay Archipelago in the 14th century. Once performed only by men, it later evolved into a dance that paired men with women as they were dressed in traditional Malay costumes. The dance is accompanied by musicians playing the gambus (short-necked lute), accordion, violin, marwas (bongos) and rebana (drum). Zapin is most popular in the state of Johor. Zapin Melayu Johor’s main structure is divided into three main parts, Taksim or Taqasim, Ragam & Kopak, and Wainab. There are in fact several types of zapin, such as Zapin Mastar, Zapin Tenglu, Zapin Putar Alam, Zapin Pekajang, Zapin Lenga, Zapin Kores, Zapin Padang Sari (Johor), Zapin Salor (Kelantan), Zapin Sindang (Sarawak), Zapin Tingkatalu (Sabah) and many more.

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Zapin dance is believed to enter Malaysia via the traders and missionaries from the Arabian Peninsula. During its early days, this dance was performed by a group of six or seven male dancers during religious ceremonies. Zapin is now performed for entertainment purposes and participation of female dancers is allowed. Zapin dance begins with a salutation dance phrase, followed by a medley of dance sequences and ends with variations of skips, turns, low piles standing and squatting positions. The melody of Zapin is carried by a vocalist, with musicians playing the gambus, violin, harmonium, accordion, rebab, marwas (bongos), rebana (drum) and dok.