Indonesian dance

Dance in Indonesia reflects the country's diversity of ethnicities and cultures. There are more than 700 ethnic groups in Indonesia: Austronesian roots and Melanesiantribal forms are visible, and influences ranging from neighbouring Asian and even western styles through colonisation. Each ethnic group has their own dances; makes total dances in Indonesia are more than 3,000 Indonesian original dances. The old traditions of dance and drama are being preserved in the many dance schools which flourish not only in the courts but also in the modern, government-run or supervised art academies.

Traditional dance of Indonesia reflect the rich diversity of Indonesian people. The dance traditions in Indonesia; such as Balinese, Javanese, Sundanese, Minangkabau, Palembang, Malay, Aceh and many other dances traditions are age old traditions, yet also a living and dynamic traditions. Certain traditional dances might be centuries old, while some others might just created less than a decade ago. The creation of a new dance choreography but still within the frame of respected dance tradition and discipline is still possible. As the result, there is some kreasi baru (newly created) dances. The newly created dance could be the rediscovery and the revival of lost old traditions or a new interpretation, inspiration and exploration of traditional dances.

There are some popular dance dramas of Java and Bali feature episodes from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. these are: 

· Kecak (pronounced KEH-chahk) is a Balinese music drama which originated in the 1930s. Also known as the Ramayana Monkey Chant, it depicts a battle from the Ramayana where monkeys help Prince Rama fight the evil King Ravana. It is performed by 100 or more men wearing checked cloth around their waists, seated in a circle, swaying to the rhythmic echoes of their own voices, chanting "cak" and throwing up their arms ... a sight to behold!

· Legong (pronounced LAY-gong) is a graceful Balinese dance performed usually by young girls dressed in gold brocade wrapped tightly around their bodies and headresses decorated with flowers.In the dance, accompanied by gamelan ensemble, two beautiful dancers move their bodies, hands, fingers, heads and eyes with supple grace and in perfect unison with each other. Seeing is believing.

· Barong (pronounced BAH-rong) is a dance that epitomizes the eternal struggle between good and evil. The barong is a mythological animal, often represented by a lion (barong ket). He is a protector spirit and enemy of Rangda, the demon queen.The barong costume resembles a lion with long mane, small head, bulging eyes and sharp fangs.

It is manoeuvred by two men, one in front of the other. The barong has mischievous but controlled      movements - snapping its jaws now and then.

· Jatilan or kuda kepang is a trance dance involving eight or more male dancers with weaved bamboo hobby horses. The dancers move as if they are riding a horse during war and may carry holstered weapons. They wear knee-length pants and bangles on both legs. The dance is accompanied by music and sometimes masked comedians. The dancers would begin in an orderly fashion, trotting around but the dance would not be deemed complete till some dancers are posssessed by the spirit of the horse and start behaving wildly.

Reference
http://www.vtaide.com/ASEAN/Indonesia/dances.html