Indonesia

Dance and Festivals

The Dutch ruled Indonesia, until they were driven out by the Japanese during World War II. The Dutch lost their grip on Indonesia and later, after the Japanese surrendered at wars end, Indonesias freedom struggle succeeded and the countrys leader eventually declared independence in 1945. Indonesias rich and diverse blend of art and cultures includes wayang kulit (shadow puppet plays) popular throughout Indonesia history and preferred mainly in Bali. These shows demonstrate Indonesian culture through religion, myth, and morality. Musically, Bali is a favourite for traditional gamelan melodies accompanied by traditional Balinese dancing. Traditional batiks are also integral to Indonesian culture and depict the conceptualization of the universe through colours representing Hindu Gods. The Javanese are the largest of any ethnic group in Indonesia. Most of them, call themselves Muslims with ancestors known to be rightly migratory, traveling to everywhere in the region over centuries, including Madagascar and the Philippines. The traditional dances depict scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata from India. Traditional Javanese and Balinese traces are also seen in the dance forms of Indonesian art and culture. Mythological events of Indonesia are also depicted. The people of Indonesia are very traditional and celebrate a lot of festivals throughout the year. These festivals are celebrated by Javanese, Balinese and people of other communities in Indonesia. Some of the Muslim festivals are very popular in Indonesia. Artists wear traditional clothes and perform various traditional dances to mark different deities. Ramadan, Muslim festivals, holidays in Jakarta, Bali spirit festival and Anur village festival just to name a few. The silat martial art is all incorporated together and are based on the stories of the
legend.

Two main types of dances in Indonesia using a mask would be Balinese mask dance and Javanese mask dance. While there are many festivals in Indonesian life, most of the important festivals are religious ones. There are Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian festivals celebrated in Indonesia

Ceremonies There are many important ceremonies in Indonesian culture and, like festivals that are based on the religious beliefs of the people taking part in them. Ceremonies can also be a part of festivals. At times of celebration there may be some rituals which need to be completed before the festival can begin. In Bali, before Nyepi begins, the people must complete the ceremonial task of cleaning their statues of the gods and banishing bad spirits. The Bali Spirit festival is a major international yoga, dance and music celebration. Dance is often performed with gamelan music (a traditional musical ensemble) both men and women dance, and often wear elaborate costumes and masks. As with gamelan music, some modern Indonesian composition is influenced by styles from other parts of the world and popular traditions.

Legong is a graceful Balinese dance performed usually by young girls dressed in gold brocade wrapped tightly around their bodies and headdresses decorated with flowers. In the dance, accompanied by gamelan ensemble, two beautiful dancers move their bodies, hands, fingers, heads and eyes with supple grace and in perfect unison with each other. Clothing being worn in this picture would include a lot of gold jewelry, extravagant robes decorated with patterns in gold. A head piece decorated with flowers.

KECAK IN ACTION

Kecak is a Balinese music drama which is known also as the Ramayana Monkey Chant. It depicts a battle from the Ramayana where monkeys help Prince Rama fight the evil King Ravana. Barong is a dance that epitomizes the eternal struggle between good and evil. It is a mythological animal represented by a lion who is the protector and enemy of Rangda, the evil queen. The costume resembles a lion with long mane, small head, bulging eyes and sharp fangs.

LION COSTUME

Jatilan or kuda kepang is a trance dance involving eight or more male dancers with weaved bamboo hobby horses. The dancers move as if they are riding a horse during war and may carry holstered weapons. They wear knee-length pants and bangles on both legs. The dance is accompanied by music and sometimes masked comedians. The dancers would begin in an

orderly fashion, trotting around but the dance would not be considered complete until some dancers are possessed by the spirit of the horse and start behaving wildly.

ENGGAR-ENGGAR Enggar-enggar is a duet with a girl and a young man. After a long time two young lovers finally meet again. They circle around each other; pull each others attention and turn away when they get the attention. Finally they take each other in their arms and leave together.

Menakoncar is a solo-dance from the Langendriyan theatre, performed by man or woman in putra halus or gagah style. This story is about a knight who has to leave his family to go to war. It represents the struggle inside, he wants to go and on the other side he does not want. He wants to defend his country, but he knows deep in his heart that he will not return. Srimpi is a sacral dance with four female dancers presenting the four directions north-south east-west. This is a traditional court dance and lasts about twenty minutes for a start.

Retno Pamoedjo is a dance that can be performed as a solodance and as a fight between 2 dancers. The dance is about Srikandi, the youngest wife of Krishna. She is the only wife of the 5 that has mastered the art of fighting. In the dance the keris (knife) and bowl-and-arrow are used to show how usage of these dance items is mastered.

Among the variety of dances from all over Indonesia, including the saman dance in the dance category is very interesting. The distinctiveness of this saman dance lies in the cohesiveness of the movement which is amazing. The dancers move in harmony. Irregular movements of the body seemed to move, continue to dance with a compact, dynamic follow sang songs. It's interesting, is not it? Nothing wrong with a lot saman dance captivates the audience of the art of dance.

RETNO PAMOEDJO

SAMAN DANCE

Saman dance is a popular game called Pok Ane. At first, saman dance is only displayed for certain events, especially when celebrating the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad SAW or the so-called Prophet Muhammads warning. Typically, saman dance is shown below under a mosque stage called a Meunasah. However, over the times, too, Saman developed until their use becomes more frequent. The type of clothes worn by most of the dancers is all representations of deities and spirits. These intricate and dance patterns have a piece of India and Japanese cultural aspect in each of its heritage. The traditional Javanese costumes are worn which would include a bow and arrow. Based in Hinduism, many of the costumes bore symbols of religious purpose.

Bibliography
http://www.indonesiapoint.com/tourist-attractions/java/history-of-java.html http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=977060 http://www.hello-indonesia.com/HelloIndonesia/Culture.htm http://www.pinterest.com/barbrapriester/indonesian-dance/ http://www.indo.com/culture/dance_music.html