Another Aceh Traditional Dance
SEUDATI
The Seudati Dance is a very popular dance from North Sumatra, or Aceh. It was formerly a court-dance which took the form of a patriots dance, describing the prowess of the Aceh patriots who are about to proceed to the battle-field Now the dance is the property of all the people, and used as an impetus for their patriotism.
There are two Seudati dances, one danced by men only, called Seudati Agam, and the other, danced by women only, called Sudati

Each Seudati Dance is danced by ten men or ten women. When it is danced by men (Seudati Agam) the ten dancers are divided according to their function in the dance; one Aneuk Seudati, or the child of Seudati, one Adoee or younger brother, and eight Dalam or Aduen or elder brothers. One of the eight Dalam is called Sheik or leader, and there is an Apet Sheik or deputy leader. The six others are called Rakan or Kawan, meaning friends.

The performance of the Seudati dance is sometimes very long; there is even one which begins at 8 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m. The stage is an open field. The dance can be very exciting when there is a competition between two neighbouring villages, each with its own Seudati team.

The patriotic nature of the Seudati Dance is seen chiefly from, the costume of the Seudati Agam, consisting of a long white right shirt, long white or black trousers, a sarong (a cloth wrapped round the under part of the body worn above the knees), selendang (scarf) fastened round the waist, rencong (short sword) and a head cloth. The dance is very gay and vigorous, varied by frequent rhythmical clapping on the breast. As they dance the dancers sing in turn stories showing the greatness of Aceh in the past.

THE RANDAI DANCE

The Randai Dance is from. West Sumatra and is danced by several men wearing a costume called the galembong. The galembong consists of a wide black jacket called teluk belanga, long trousers, and a head cloth. The accompanying musical instruments consist of a talempong (like the Javanese bonang with the difference that it consists of only five parts); rebana (tambourine); ralung (a kind of flute); and kendang (drum).

As they dance, the dancers sing about the greatness of Minangkabau in the past. A Randai dance performance often lasts six hours.

THE INDANG DANCE

Indang is the name of the rebana or little tambourine used as a musical instrument in this dance. The dancers are men, all of whom wear galembong costumes. The indang,s used as musical instruments to accompany this dance are of the same number as the dancers, because each dancer carries an indang with him. The number of the dancers is not fixed, sometimes seven, sometimes nine, but usually an uneven number. They - dance in a sitting -position and do not change places. While they dance they tell stories whose purpose is to convert people to Islam.

THE SELENDANG DANCE

The Selendang Dance is a war-dance from West Sumatra. The dancers consist of several men, all wearing galembong costumes

From:http://myindonesianculture.blogspot.com/2007/12/another-aceh-traditional-dance.html

Java
D.K.I. Jakarta


Tari Sembah:
A dance to greet the guests

Tari Topeng:
This is also a dance to greet the guests, mostly for guests of honour.





West Java



Tari Merak:
It means a 'Peacock Dance.' It is suitably named, because the dance portrays the life of peacocks. The dancers are elaborately dressed with headpiece and colourful long scarf.

Tari Jaipong:
This is the infamous social dance in West Java

Tari Topeng Kuncaran:
This is a special dance which tells a story of a King who had vengeance for his unrequited love




Central Java

Tari Srimpi:
A special 'Kraton' (palace) dance which is elegant and beautiful.



Tari Kendalen:
It is a warrior dance






D.I.Y. Yogyakarta
Tari Merak:
Peacock Dance. This dance is very similar to the Western Java's dance.



Beksan Lawung Ageng:
This dance was created by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I (the King) to motivate his soldiers. It is performed by 16 people.




East Java




Tari Remong:
Its origin is Surabaya, the capital city of East Java. Besides performed to greet guests, this dance also symbolizes brevity.

Reog Ponorogo:
A traditional dance which is filled with brevity and masculinity. It is usually performed on Independence Day, August 17th.




From:http://library.thinkquest.org/26300/dance.html

Sumatra
Aceh
Tari Seudati:
Danced by 8 men and 1-2 other narrators and led by a sheh (dance leader). It doesn't need any musical instruments. The dance describes heroic characteristics of Acehnese.

Tari Saman (for men) and Meusekat (for women):
Developed from the traditional dance "Tepuk Ane" and played by 8-20 dancers. They kneel in a row on the floor or the ground and make many kinds of torso movements. It starts with a very slow speed which gradually becomes a rapid speed then stop suddenly. Accompanied by songs while clapping hands, slapping the chest, slapping hands on the floor.

Tari Rapa-ii Geleng:
It is a specific tambourine used in dancing and singing. Has 11-20 men dancers, similar to Saman.


North Sumatra

Tari Manduda:
Traditional dance of Simalungunese, portraying the people who are excited during



Tari Sekapur Sirih:
This is danced to greet guests who are visiting North Sumatra.



Tari Baluse:
A Nia warrior dance which shows brevity and courage


West Sumatra

Tari Piring:
This dance is uses plates with candles on top as one of the accessories. Dancers skilfully move their hands with the plates and candles in them. This dance symbolizes the tight and co-ordinated Minangkabau people.


Riau
Joget Lambak:
The dance is one of the means of socializing between young girls and guys.




Tari Tandak Riau:
This is also one of the social dances in Riau


Jambi
Tari Rangguk:
Full spirited dance, especially performed to greet some guests.

Tari Selampit Delapan:
A social dance for the teenage girls and boys


Tari Sekapur Sirih:
This dance differs from North Sumatran dance only in costumes and origin, but both of them serve as entertaining dances.


Lampung
Tari Jangget:
This is a special dance which is performed during traditional ceremonies. It portrays the morals of the people of Lampung.


Tari Melinting:
A dance that carries a legend. When Sunan Gunung Jati (one of the Nine Islam Sheikhs in Indonesia) visited the Kingdom of Pugung, he fell in love with Putri Sinar Alam--the princess--who was supposedly performing Tarin Melinting.

Tari Bedana:
A social dance with Islam influence


South Sumatra
Tari Kipas:
A social dance for teenage girls and boys of South Sumatra


Tari Tanggai:
A special dance to greet the guests of South Sumatra. All of the dancers have fake long gold nails as one of their accessories.


Bengkulu
Tari Bidadaei Terminang Anak:
It means a dance for a fairy who is cuddling a baby. This a traditional dance of Rejanglebong



Tari Andun:
This dance originated from the south of Bengkulu. It is a special dance to greet guests of honour.

From:http://library.thinkquest.org/26300/dance.html