Rejang Dance is one of the rare dances in Bali, because is performed only in a temple anniversary in its inner courtyard, to delight and entertain the visiting god and spirit. Danced by women, it consist of a slow procession, the participants conducting themselves with extreme grace and delicacy. Dominant movements used is ngembat and ngelikas or left and right movements performed while moving forward slowly. It is the most dream-like Balinese dance, surpassing all one can imagine of smooth, unending motion. It is accompanied by mysterious old melody (Gong Kebyar or Gong Gede), subtle, smooth as the dance and with the similar feeling of infinity.
The dance is divided into several types based on social status of the dancers (Rejang Deha: danced by young girls), how to dance (Rejang Renteng: danced with scarves held each other), themes and accessories especially in headdress (Oyopadi Rejang, Rejang Galuh, Rejang Dewa, etc). The dancers are dressed in a bright colored stuff overlaid with gold-leaf, wound tightly round the body under the armpits, half covering the breast and reaching to the hips. A sash of some pale color, chiefly pink or yellow, tied a knot above this, hung down on the right side.
Under the brocade corsage, a long tight white sarong with rather shiny surface reach to and covers the feet. It is very narrow, and folded so that it form a slanting line from the right hip to the left ankle, allowing a sumptuous train of dark purple, green, flame, or orange, all covered with gold-leaf, to sweep through and fall between the legs behind. The elegance of the dancers is completed with delicate coiffure flowers, covering the front of the head and outlining the great coil of hair that frames the head on one side. Among the Balinese Hindu community, the Rejang Dewa dance is staged in the deva yajña ritual such as temple anniversary or piodalan.
Rejang Dance is part of Three genres of traditional dance in Bali, included by UNESCO in Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in 2015, about which I wrote here.
About the stamps
The stamp are part of the series Traditional Music Instruments, issued on March 9, 2013.
01/33 Gambus, Riau (2500 IDR) - It's on the postcard 1779
02/33 Serune Kalee, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (3000 IDR)
03/33 Fu, Maluku (3000 IDR) - It's on the postcard 1779
04/33 Celempung, West Java (2500 IDR) - It's on the postcard 1779
05/33 Cengceng, Bali (3000 IDR)
06/33 Kollatung, West Kalimantan (2500 IDR) - It's on the postcard 1946
07/33 Calong, West Sulawesi (2500 IDR)
08/33 Tambua, West Sumatra (2500 IDR)
09/33 Siter, Central Java (2500 IDR)
10/33 Tifa, Papua (3000 IDR)
11/33 Polopalo, Gorontalo (3000 IDR)
References
Rejang Dance - Tri Bali Tour
Rejang Dewa: A Sacred Dance to Welcome Gods’ Arrival - Bali Travel News
Sender: Putu Gian Aryanti (direct swap)
Sent from ??? (Bali / Indonesia), on 03.11.2013
Photo: Paul Zacharia
No comments:
Post a Comment