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Jakarta Post

Aceh’s Saman dance breaks MURI record

Tue, August 29, 2017   /   12:02 am
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    Alimudin, a Saman dance teacher, prepares to lead 12,262 dancers in a mass Saman dance performance in Blangkejeren, Gayo Lues, Aceh, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Alimudin ties a yellow handkerchief on his left wrist before performing in the mass dance. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Alimudin puts on a headband prior to the performance. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Alimudin checks his appearance before the mass dance. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Saman dancers ride an overloaded minibus to the stadium in Gayo Lues. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Saman dancers travel in an overloaded pickup to Blangkejeren stadium, where they will participate in the mass dance. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Dancers march while singing and clapping prior to the mass dance. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Saman dancers sit while waiting to perform the traditional dance. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    A total of 12,262 Saman dancers gather at Blangkejeren stadium to create a new mass dance record with the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI). JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Rows of men perform the Saman dance. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Rows of men slap their chests as part of the Saman dance. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    A total of 12,262 dancers perform the Saman dance at Blangkejeren stadium. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Male dancers stand in the middle of the stadium while female dancers, who perform the Bines dance and wear similar attire, stand on the side. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Male dancers perform the Saman dance. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Male dancers are seen from above while performing the Saman dance. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Saman dancers perform in unison, although several still make mistakes. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak]

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    Female dancers – who perform the Bines dance, a traditional dance from Gayo, Aceh –take a selfie during the event. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak

An event dubbed "10,001 Saman Dancers" brought together 12,262 dancers at the Thousand Hills Stadium in Blangkejeren city, Gayo Lues, Aceh, on Aug. 13.

The event was listed at the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) for the most Saman dance participants.

Aceh Tourism Agency head Reza Pahlevi said in 2014, the traditional dance broke a record with 5,057 people and was listed at MURI in the same category. It was awarded after UNESCO declared the Saman dance a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity in 2011.

“This event is a collaboration between the Aceh and the Gayo Lues administrations. After being listed as a world heritage by UNESCO, the Saman dance doesn’t belong just to the people of Gayo Lues but also to the people of the world. Let's preserve it together,” said Reza.

Gayo Lues Regent Ibnu Hasyim voiced hope that the event would also serve as a reminder of Syekh Samman.

“This 10,001 Saman Dancers event will remind people, especially youth, of Syekh Samman, who made the country proud through his works,” said Ibnu.

The Saman is a traditional dance from Tanoh Rencong. It is one of the dances taught at school.

Performing this dance requires total concentration. It begins with slow swaying movements that become faster and faster toward the end.

“The Saman has a high difficulty level; mastering it requires physical endurance, quick and synchronized body movements between dancers and understanding of the song,” Ibnu said.

“It’s not only how fast the movement is, but also how the dancers stay in sync while performing at high speed, which is why practice and discipline are required in order to perform a fascinating Saman dance,” Ibnu added.

read also:http://http://www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2017/08/15/saman-dance-performance-in-aceh-breaks-muri-record.html