Indonesia is an archipelago that has various ethnicities and cultures. From the diversity of cultures in Indonesia, there are several cultures in Indonesia which are dominated by the influence of Hinduism and Islam.
Indonesian cultural products and arts that are influenced by Islam and Hinduism. Many of Indonesia’s arts and culture are well known in the world. The following are some of Indonesia’s cultural and artistic products that are well known abroad:
1. Kecak Dance
Bali is a tourist spot that is well known abroad. Its well-known culture is the Kecak Dance. Kecak dance is a dance that is performed as a ballet which is performed in mass and there is an element of drama in it.
This dance is classified as a ballet because the overall performance will describe the role of art from wayang stories such as the characters Rama and Sinta. Besides that, it also shows the physical immunity of the dancers who are not burned by fire. This dance is also specifically used for the religious rituals of the Hindu community in Bali.
The Kecak dance uses the screams of ‘cak cak to cak cak ke’ as accompaniment music. That’s why this dance is called the Kecak Dance.
2. Pendet Dance
Apart from the Kecak Dance, Pendet Dance is also worldwide. Pendet dance is a dance performed by a woman which is performed as a worship activity at the temple. Now Pendet Dance has developed into a welcoming dance for the descent of Gods into the world and welcoming guests as a welcome greeting.
3. Barong Dance
One more dance from Bali which is famous abroad, namely the Barong Dance. Barong dance is a Balinese dance that has existed since pre-Hindu cultural civilization. This dance depicts a battle between goodness and evil. Barong as a symbol of goodness against Rangda as a symbol of evil.
4. Puppet
Wayang is a well-known Indonesian culture. Even Wayang has been recognized by UNESCO as a cultural heritage of Indonesia in 2003 and has been widely recognized by the world community. Even foreigners learn puppets.
Wayang is a performance art played by a puppeteer accompanied by gamelan music and the voice of a singer. The story told in the puppet play about Petruk, Semar, Bagong, and Gareng.
5. Angklung
Angklung is a traditional art musical instrument from West Java. This musical instrument has also received recognition from UNESCO as part of World Heritage on January 19, 2011. The certificate was handed over by former Indonesian Ambassador to UNESCO, Tresna Dermawan Kunaefi, to the then Minister of National Education, Muhammad Nuh.
6. Keris
Keris is used by members of the kingdom as an elder heirloom weapon. Keris is a traditional weapon believed to contain magical powers. This heritage weapon received recognition from UNESCO as the ‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’ on November 25, 2005.
Keris has been used in Indonesia since the 9th century and is made of metal. The handle of a keris is made of bones, wood, or animal horns.
7. Saman Dance
Saman dance is a dance originating from Gayo, Aceh. This dance is recognized and included in the list of intangible cultural heritage requiring urgent protection from UNESCO on 22-29 November 2011.
The Saman dance displays clapping other movements without shifting and contorting other limbs and feet. This dance is usually performed to celebrate important events in local customs. The lyrics in the Saman Dance use a mixture of Arabic and Gayo languages.
8. Reog Ponorogo
Reog Ponorogo is an Indonesian culture originating from the East Java region. Reog Ponorogo is one of the traditional arts in the form of dance.
In the Reog Ponorogo performance, there is no definite and patent dance scenario. Usually Reog artists perform based on the scenes they have learned with the addition of a swinging motion of Reog’s head. Reog players wear masks in the shape of a lion’s head with a crown made of peacock feathers. The weight of the crown can reach about 50-60 kilograms.
9. Ramayana Ballet
Ramayana Ballet is a combination of dance and drama performances without dialogue which is based on the Ramayana puppet story. This ballet was staged in 1961 at Prambanan Temple in 1961. The performance is on an open stage with a panoramic view of Prambanan Temple.
10. Batik
Batik is an Indonesian culture that is well known abroad. In the past, batik was often used as formal wear. But now batik can also be used for informal events.
Batik is produced by a very unique way of writing hot wax onto cloth using a canting.
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