Participants distinguish three types of stories in boria sketches: kisah rumahtangga (domestic stories), kisah masyarakat (social stories), and kisah propaganda politik (political stories). Of the forty-two shows observed, the stories of six were domestic, twenty- five were social, and eleven were political. This categorization appears to relate essentially to the occasion on which boria shows are performed (see Chapter 2). It only gives a rough guide to content as constructing a classification based on the subject of the sketches would be more complicated. Although all boria stories have a similar content, and are acted out with slapstick and witty dialogue, within the stories certain themes recur often, regardless of the type. The basic theme is the traditional one of Malay drama, order versus disorder; and it is especially concerned with the roles of morals and authority in the need to maintain an orderly progress within a changing society. This underlies the more concrete themes that provide the plots for particular sketches, namely, youth versus age, the old versus the new, male versus female, and marital, family, community and national unity versus disunity. These are expressed within a limited series of relationships, namely, husband and wife; parent and child; in- dividual and government official; Malay and non-Malay (which is virtually synonymous with Muslim and non-Muslim); family and neighbours. Though each story tends to centre on a single relationship, it usually succeeds in covering a range of other relationships as well. This chapter will eleborate more on the themes, relationships and audience's comments. The boria sketches (A-J) outlined in the preceding chapter will be referred to. Their titles are:

1. A. Kisah Kenduri Kahwin [Wedding story]

2. B. Rumah Siap Pahat Berbunyi [Though the house is finished, the chisel still sounds]

3. C. Kisah Gitar Rancak [Pop music]

4. D. Kisah Anasir Barat [Western influence]

5. E. Kisah Nombor Ekor [Gambling on numbers]

6. F. Kisah Rumah Sewa [Rented houses]

7. G. Kisah Bomoh dengan Doktor [The traditional curer and the modern doctor]

8. H[…]