Governor denies saying ‘Jathilan’ is the world’s worst dance

Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo: (JP)

Central Java governor Bibit Waluyo claimed he never said that the Jaran Kepang or Jathilan (bamboo horse dance) was the worst art form in the world, saying he was criticizing the group that had presented the dance instead.

“Jathilan is fine, it was just the group that performed it last night [that was not],” Bibit said on Monday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

“Central Java has better [groups]. Why present such a bad one? The guests were from all over the country and even included foreign dignitaries,” he added.

Bibit drew criticism for his statement at the opening of the 14th Merapi and Borobudur Senior's Amateur Golf Tournament in Magelang, Central Java, on Sunday. He said: “It is a shame that the Magelang mayor presented this particular dance at this kind of event."

The remark was made shortly after the Kartika Harapan dance group from Rejowinangun, Magelang, performed the Jathilan dance.

In response to the jaw-dropping comment, attendees went silent.

Jathilan, also known as Kuda Lumping in West Java, features troops riding colorful hobbyhorses.(fzm/iwa)