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Mass dances to enliven East Nusa Tenggara cross-border music festival
The Malaka and Kefamenanu Cross-Border Music Concert 2019 will match the festivities presented during the Atambua Cross-Border Music Concert
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Young dancers from elementary and high schools in 12 districts in Belu regency perform the Likurai dance. (JP/Djemi Amnifu)
T
hree mass traditional dances are set to grace the 2019 Malaka and Kefamenanu Cross-Border Music Concert slated for March 28 to 29 at Misi Paroki Betun Field in Malaka regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
The event is set to match the festivities presented during the Atambua Cross-Border Music Concert, according to the Tourism Ministry's marketing development deputy assistant for region III, Muh. Ricky Fauziyani.
"After Atambua, we will also present a music concert in Malaka, featuring Maria Vitoria and Bondan Prakoso as guest stars as well as the mass dances," said Ricky on March 10 as quoted by kompas.com.
Among the three mass dances set to be performed in Malaka are the Tebe, Likurai and Bidu.
"These three are inspiring dances because of their traditional values. [Hopefully] tourists [will be able to] learn from the values presented by them," added Ricky.
Read also: More than 30,000 flocked to Cross Border Atambua Festival 2017 music concert
The Bidu dance is a dance to find a life partner and is usually performed by eight female and two male dancers. Meanwhile the Tebe dance, which is similar to the Ronggeng dance, is a form of gratitude when welcoming those returning from war. In October 2015 4,601 dancers set the record for this dance in the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI).
Last but not least, the Likurai dance came to wider public attention when it was performed at the 2018 Asian Games. In October 2017, a performance by 6,000 dancers, who were students of three regencies in NTT's cross-border zone, in Fulan Fehan Hill, was recorded by the MURI.
"The music concert will be a very interesting attraction you should not miss out on," said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya. "Aside from the attraction, accessibility and amenities in Malaka are also sufficient." (kes)
