Parade highlights Negara’s birthday

Main thoroughfares in Negara, the capital of Jembrana regency, turned into a colorful stage as 1,500 artists from Bali and other provinces performed during the annual Nusantara Art Parade on Wednesday.

Traditional dances and performing arts presented by 49 art troupes from 31 regencies across Indonesia enlivened the celebration of Jembrana’s 115th anniversary.

This year’s art fiesta was themed Sudhaning Manah Wak Kaya (realizing the pureness of thoughts, words and deeds).

The parade was officially kicked off by Jembrana Regent I Gede Winasa, and began in front of Jimbarwana Hotel on Jalan Udayana, passed through the capital’s main streets, including Jl. Ahmad Yani and Jalan Sudirman, and ended in front of the main venue at the Surapati intersection.

Four students from state vocational school SMKN 2 Negara carried long sugar cane poles as a symbol of cleaning up the universe from negative influence, followed by a ngelawang barong performance by the Yasa Kerti art group.

A series of performances by students from other schools in the regency marked the beginning of the parade, including Hadrah Iswari and Kuntulan Mawar Putih, religious dances and music.

Dressed in Muslim attire, the groups from Pengambengan and Loloan Barat village combined their musical performance with pencak silat.

Performers from Bali came from Tabanan, Gianyar and Buleleng regencies, each showcasing the uniqueness of their respective traditions, including the Okokan dance from Tabanan that uses a cowbell.

North Maluku presented Lalayon, a dance for youths symbolizing romantic and religious values, as well as praising nature’s greatness. This dance originates from East Halmahera.

Participants from Natuna regency in Riau Islands province performed Tepung Tawar, a ritual of giving advice and prayers, usually performed at wedding ceremonies.

The art group from Katingan regency in Central Kalimantan performed Palangka Bulau Lembayung Nyahu, a Dayak tribal ritual.

Performers from Banyuwangi, East Java, showcased the Keboan Alian dance, which is usually performed to welcome Dewi Sri, the goddess of fertility, to the earth to help farmers, in the hope for producing good harvests.

Participants from Kupang regency in East Nusa Tenggara performed the Lup Uma traditional dance to observe the building of a house.

The dancers stamped their feet, accompanied by traditional songs and music to pray for protection of the new house and ward off bad spirits.

Thousands of people, including residents and foreign tourists, packed the main venue to watch the rare art performance, especially the ones showcased by performers from other provinces.

The local administration gave residents in the regency — which is located in the western tip of Bali — a free ride to the event by providing eight buses and 148 minivans, at a cost of Rp 1.1 billion.

In addition to the art parade, the local administration also held a handicraft exhibition that ran from Aug. 25 to Sept. 2 as part of anniversary celebrations.