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Banyuwangi traditional dance wows guests at State Palace’s Independence Day celebration
Jejer Kembang Menur dance was one of the showstoppers during the celebration. Re
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In this May. 24, 2015 picture, two Indonesian folk dancers are dancing in the coastline of Merah Beach in Banyuwangi regency, East Java. (Shutterstock.com/Yavuz Sariyildiz)
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here was an unusual sight at the State Palace’s Independence Day celebration on Aug. 17, where arriving guests were seen wearing colorful traditional outfits instead of formal suits and dress.
"I myself, the First Lady, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, three former Indonesian presidents, as seen in this photo, and guests are all wearing traditional attire,” read the caption of the group photo posted on President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's Facebook account.
“There was a Jejer Kembang Menur dance performance from Banyuwangi, patriotic songs from Gita Bahana Nusantara, marching band from TKI Kinderfield Duren Sawit and performance from singer Ari Lasso in the middle of Istana Merdeka field,” read the photo caption.
Jejer Kembang Menur dance was one of the showstoppers during the celebration. The dance was performed by 200 dancers from Banyuwangi who wore black and white costumes paired with red scarf and long black cloth and accessorized with red-white fan and golden crown on their heads.
According to Banyuwangi’s tradition, the dance is usually performed at the opening of an event.
These 200 dancers were reportedly selected from 900 applicants. They are all female high school students and students of dance studios across Banyuwangi who have similar height at around 150 centimeters.
“Jejer Kembang Menur dance is developed from Gandrung Dance,” said the dance’s coordinator, Suharji.
The name “Gandrung” comes from the story of Dewi Sari, known as the goddess of rice and prosperity, who brought success to the people of Blambangan (Banyuwangi).
In the past, the dance was performed to express gratitude during harvest season, but now it is being performed in many events such as weddings and other non-formal celebrations.
Banyuwangi Regent Azwar Anas was proud to have the dance performed at the State Place as he considered it a form of respect for the regency's people and arts.
“This shows that cultural diversity is uniting, not dividing, us as a nation,” said Azwar. (kes)
