Gayo's Saman Dance - Synchronized Headbanging

North Sumatra, South East Aceh in the Gayo highlands is an area of origin of the unique Saman dance. The dance was originally danced by 10 men, without the accompaniment of musical instruments. The musics produced by the voice of two group leaders (syekh), clappinghands and pat chests. The lyrics are about islamic preach, ethics, epic etc. Syekh tasked also to give command of motion changes. This dance reportedly discovered and developed by Sheikh Saman, a scholar Gayo, although I think this dance seems older than that.

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The Sacred Dance of Bedhaya Ketawang

Once a year at the Kings Palace of Solo performed a sacred ritual dance Bedhaya Ketawang to commemorate ascension of the sultan (Susuhunan). This dance is performed by nine female dancers who depict love of the the southern sea queen Nyi Roro Kidul to either Sultan Agung or his grandfather, Senopati.

Dance performances conducted in pendhapa, an open hall with pillars in the front of Susuhunan which sat at the throne. The dance accompanied by a chorus of women and men (sindhenan lampah sekar). Musical accompaniment is not a complete gamelan orchestra but only few instruments: kethuk, kenong, gongs and kendang only.

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Wayang Golek, the Western Jawa Puppets

In the western part of Java there is a unique traditional art form of puppet show called wayang golek. Wayang show has been defined by UNESCO on November 7, 2003, as the legacy of very valuable culture and amazing work in the field of narrative story (Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity).

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