Exemplification Essay

Traditional Dances in Indonesia

        It is commonly speaking that there are more 700 ethnic groups in Indonesia. Mostly, they have their own dances. Totally, there has now been 3000 Indonesian original dances. Traditional dances are distinctly different from the other dances because they typically have historical value, they show repetitive movements, and they become region’s identity.

        First, traditional dances have historical value. For example, Hudoq dance of Dayak people, means this dance aims to pray so that their fields will grow abundantly. It is symbolized by dancers who wear masks representing pests and jackets made of banana tree bark. The two human hudoqs come out and chase the pest hudoqs. While Cakalele dance of Maluku people, Male dancers are wearing red and yellow costumes that represent heroism, courage, and patriotism of Maluku people.

        In addition, traditional dances show repetitive movements. For example, Tor-Tor dance of the Batak people of North Sumatra, represents the movement to communicate providing an interaction of people in the ceremony. Moreover, Kuda Lumping dance symbolizes the attraction of being strong and powerful. It reflects heroism and military aspects of troops like riding a horse in a war. It was also used to attact the Dutch people—the colonialism.

        Finally, traditional dances become region’s identity. For example, Reog dance is as Ponorogo’s identity, Jaipong dance is as Sunda identity, Ma’badong is as Toraja identity, and Joget Melayu is as Melayu identity.

        Briefly stated, Traditional dances have various reflections. Those may become country’s assets that can be used to maintain the nation’s cultures.

By: Farhan Atoillah