Your comments on the plan of the West Java government to prohibit the performance of the province's traditional dances of jaipong and ketuk tilu as the dances are considered of violating pornography law.

I was born in West Bandung, West Java and I am very familiar with jaipongan or ketuk tilu dances because my grandfather was ketuk tilu artist. I am very sad to read in the newspapers that the dances will be prohibited.

Dede Lesmana

Tangerang, Banten

I think Greg Warner's letter of the jaipong dance (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 10, p. 20) is substantial in its context, when rules are based on the opinions of people who do not have the majority say in the country. Why do we spend endless time debating such minor issues that have stood the test of time?

Otherwise, you may as well build a wall and cut off the country from the rest of the world.

People come to different countries to see ancient culture, not culture based on restrictions and the updated beliefs of others.

Not a good tourist attraction for the country. If it is, then just climb in a box and shut the lid, ignore all the culture of past generations and just walk around the mall all day.

"This is Indonesia - Come and Enjoy It".

Everton

Liverpool, UK

It doesn't make sense at all to prohibit the performance of our traditional dances. We have to preserve our cultural heritage.

They perform with their clothes on (which is an exemption to the law). It is not reasonable to suggest they are violating the pornography law.

Panji Wisastra

Tanjung karang, Lampung.

I am a student of St. Theresia Tourism High School.

Shame on you! How could you try to stop your own country's traditions?

What has this country to offer tourists? Please think ahead before making any decisions. I agree with letter by Greg Warner titled "Pornography and jaipong dance".

It is not a pornographic show! They are just performing their traditional dance! It is our culture, do not demean it.

It is our asset and we are supposed to preserve it! Think like a grown-up.

Sam

Jakarta

Honestly, I'm sick of it all. It is such a badly planned regulation. How can the highest leader in West Java prohibit the original traditional dances of the province?

The governor is of West Javanese origin, isn't he? Has he forgotten his own traditional culture?

If it does violate the pornography law, is the governor then saying that the creators of the dances and our ancestors, who fought hard to keep the dances alive, were big fans of pornography?

I definitely don't think so. As the leader of the province the governor is supposed to be the one who supports these dances, has them performed regularly and recognized by his people especially the younger generation. What is left if everything is banned?

Can we say then we still have our identity?

I would like to encourage every child of this nation to work hard to preserve our traditional culture as it is our very identity and shows respect to our ancestors, but crucially, to be responsible for the future generations of Indonesia.

Lia

Jakarta

Great nations are those who appreciate their roots and culture. Banning jaipong is absolutely ridiculous and an absurd decision.

Such a decision shows how ignorant the governor is about the traditional culture of the province that has elected him.

Arya

Jakarta

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