Saman dance

Indonesia Unique Cultures,

Among the variety of dances from all over Indonesia, including in the categories of Saman dance dance very interesting. The uniqueness of saman dance movements lies in the compactness which is amazing. The dancers move in unison saman can follow a harmonious rhythm of music. That regular movements of the body as if driven one, continues to dance with a compact, following a dynamic sang songs. It's interesting, is not it? Nothing wrong with saman dance captivate the hearts of many connoisseurs of the art of dance. Not only from Indonesia, but also from abroad. Now, let's review some more about this unique dance.
History
Why is this dance called Saman? This dance is the Saman called because it was created by a cleric named Sheikh Acehnese Saman in the XIV century AD, of the Gayo highlands. Initially, this dance is a popular game called Pok ANE. But, then added accompaniment that contains poems of praise to God, and accompanied also by a combination of pat-pat of the dancers. At that time, saman dance became one of the media propaganda.

At first, saman dance is only displayed for certain events, especially when celebrating the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad SAW or warning called Birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Typically, saman dance is shown below under Meunasah (a type of surau stage). However, over the times, too, Saman grow until its use becomes more frequent. Now, saman dance entertainment can be classified as dance / performance, because the dance performances are not bound by time, event or certain ceremonies. Tari Saman can be displayed on every occasion that are crowds and excitement, such as birthday parties, weddings or other celebrations. To place, Saman usually done in house, field, and some are using the stage.

Saman is usually displayed is guided by a leader who is typically called the Sheikh. Dancers and Sheikh Saman should be able to work well together to create a compact and harmonious movement.

Meaning and Function
Tari Saman serve as media propaganda. Before starting Saman, traditional leaders appear to represent the local community. Traditional leaders to give useful advice to the players and spectators. Poems are in antunkan in Saman also contains advice-advice and propaganda.
Here's an example piece of poetry in dance S is safe:

Reno Tewa ni rice paddy, manuk kedidi mulu be rempulis bunge.

Meaning:

How beautiful rice paddies blown graceful. However, the first sandpiper as the bride and groom as well as bring a sweet name.

But today, the function becomes shifted saman dance. This dance is so more often serves as a medium of entertainment at parties, celebrations, and other events.

Singing
In Saman, there are 5 kinds of songs:

1. Rengum, namely as the opening or mukaddimah of Saman (ie after the opening speech keketar done before). Rengum These are imitations of sounds. Once the ends are connected directly together with the sentence contained therein, including but not limited to someone who is likened to praise, to the object, or to other plants.
2. Tones, namely rengum that soon followed by all dancers.
3. Redet, namely short songs with short sound sung by a dancer in the middle of the dance.
4. Syek, the song sung by a dancer with a long high-pitched voice, usually as a sign of change in motion.
5. Saur, the song that is repeated by all the dancers after sung by a solo dancer.

Movement
Saman dance motion using two elements that became the basic element in the dance saman: Applause and cheers chest. Allegedly, when the spread of Islam, sheikhs saman studying ancient Malay dance, then bring back through the motion, accompanied by poems facilitate the propagation of Islam for the sake of preaching. In the present context, a religious ritual dance which is still used as a medium to convey messages preaching through the performances.

Saman dance one dance that is quite unique, because it only shows the motion of applause and other movements, like rocking motion, kirep, Lingang, surang-filtered (all motion is the Gayo language). In addition, there are two rows of people singing, clapping and all dancers must dance Saman dance in harmony. In Tari Saman always, tempo going faster and faster the longer the Saman dance so exciting.

Dancer
In general, Saman played by a dozen or a dozen men. but the numbers must be odd. However, in subsequent developments, this dance is also played by women. Another opinion says this dance is danced less than 10 people, with details of eight dancers and two people as cue givers while singing. However, developments in the modern era requires that a dance would be more lively when danced by dancers with higher numbers. This is where the role of the Sheikh, he must regulate the movement and singing the Saman verses.

Costume or special clothing saman is divided in three parts:
· On the head: bulung pupil or tengkuluk basic black fabric square. Two aspects such as dress embroidered with threads, edit kepies.
· On the body: basic clothing / clothes filigree (the basic black dress, embroidered in white thread, green and red, embroidered with the waist portion kedawek and kekait, short-handed shirt) and sarong pants.
· In the hands of: the mask bracelet, handkerchief. Similarly, in the use of color, according to tradition contains certain values, because the color indicates the identity of the wearer. The colors reflect the compactness, wisdom, strength, courage and harmony.

Saman dance was very interesting. Saman dance performances are not only popular in our own country, but also popular in foreign countries such as Australia and Europe. Recently saman dance at shows in Australia to commemorate the tsunami catastrophe on December 26, 2006. Therefore, we should be proud of the arts that we have, and preserve it so as not to become extinct.

Indonesia Unique Cultures.