Gendhing Ijo-Ijo traditional chanting, accompanied by the rhythmic moves of tayub female dancers could be seen on the bank of Serpeng Lake in Gunung Kidul regency, Yogyakarta. Not long after, male spectators came forward to join the dance.
 
The tayuban dance is part of the village cleansing ritual in Serpeng village to pray for rain to fill the drought-parched lake. The ritual has been performed every year in mid-September through generations as the villagers believe the lake should be filled with water. Water symbolizes fertility and welfare.
 
The ritual began with a prayer recited by the village leaders.  Afterwards, tayub dancers performed for four hours in front of the villagers. Some villagers dropped small change as contributions to the performing dancers. (dmr)