This traditional dance is one of the classical dances originating from the Lampung area. Her name is Dance Melinting.
What is Mellinting Dance?
Melinting Dance is one of the traditional dances originating from the Lampung area. This dance is a classical dance inherited from the Melinting Kingdom in East Lampung. Melinting dance is classified as the oldest dance that has ever been there, because it is estimated that this dance has existed since the entry of Islam in Indonesia, especially in the Lampung area itself. This dance is usually performed by male dancers and female dancers. And is often performed at various events, both traditional and cultural events held there.
History of Melinting Dance
Historically, the Melinting Dance is one of the classical dances from the Melinting Kingdom in Labuhan Meringgai, East Lampung. This dance was first created in the 16th century by Ratu Melinting II with the title Prince Panembahan Mas. Initially, this dance was only known in the royal environment, and was only shown at traditional ceremonies in the Melinting Kingdom. At that time this dance could only be performed by the sons and daughters of Ratu Melinting.
In 1958, this Melinting Dance began to experience development and refinement. The dance which was originally only performed in this royal environment, later developed into a folk dance. This dance is then often performed at various major events such as welcoming ceremonies, celebrations, and cultural events held there.
The Function and Meaning of Melinting Dance
This melinting dance was originally functioned as a sacred dance and was only performed at royal traditional gawi events. But along with its development, this dance is then functioned as a dance performance that is often displayed at various events such as welcoming, cultural events and other big events. This dance is interpreted as an expression of people’s gratitude and happiness for what they get. In addition, every movement in this Melinting Dance certainly has its own meaning and philosophy in it.
Mellinting Dance Show
Melinting dance is usually performed by male dancers and female dancers. For the number of dancers there are usually 8 dancers consisting of 4 male dancers and 4 female dancers. By using traditional clothing and accompanied by the strains of accompaniment music, dancers dance with distinctive movements and use a fan as a dancing attribute.
In the Melinting Dance performance, it is usually divided into several rounds, including the opening round, the kugaworatu round, the flying knui round, and the closing round. In this opening round, the dancers pay their respects to guests. Then in the kugawo round, the queen describes the gentleness of female dancers and the agility and strength of male dancers. Meanwhile, in the knuimelayang round, it depicts the majesty and elegance of the dancers. Then the closing round ends with greetings and respects from the dancers.
The movements of the male dancers and female dancers in this Melinting Dance are basically different. The movements of the male dancers are usually dominated by agile and dynamic movements. These movements include babar fan movements, jong sumbah, sukhung, sekalan behind palau, kenui drifting nyiduk, handshake, suali, niti rod, luncat deer, and lapah ayun. While the female dancers are dominated by soft movements which include babar fan movements, jong sumbah, sukhung, sekalan, scales / flat mabel floats, ngiyau bias, nginjak lado, nginjak dung manuk, and lapah swing.
Rolling Dance Accompaniment
In the Melinting Dance performances are usually accompanied by traditional music consisting of kalo reinforcements, gongs, drums and several other additional musical instruments. Traditional music is played nicely and combined with the movements of the dancers. Each round in the Melinting Dance is usually accompanied by a different rhythm, because it must adapt to the movements of the dancers.
Rolling Dance Costume
The costumes used by the dancers in the Melinting Dance show are usually traditional clothes. For the costumes, the female dancers usually use a veil with a pandan flower in Subang, a jukum fruit necklace, a canoe bracelet, a seretei feather, a rui sesapurhanda bracelet, a tapis, and a jungsarat. As for the costumes, the male dancers usually use a gold skullcap, pandan flower melur flower, jukum fruit, jungsarat, jajar board, buluseretei, sesapur handap, injang tuppal, and reluk pot pants.
Melinting Dance Development
In the show, the Melinting Dance is still being preserved and developed until now. Various creations and variations in terms of motion, costumes, and musical accompaniment are also often added to each performance to make it look attractive but not leave its authenticity and characteristics. Melinting dance is also still often displayed at various events such as welcoming grand guests, traditional events and other major events.
In addition, this dance is also often displayed at various cultural events such as art performances, cultural festivals, and even tourism promotion. This is certainly done as an effort to preserve and introduce to the younger generation and the wider community about cultural heritage, especially this Melinting Dance.
This is an introduction to “Melinting Dance Traditional Dances from Lampung”. Hopefully it will be useful and increase your knowledge about traditional arts in Indonesia.
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