8 The Function of Dance in the Post-Independence Era

Have you ever wondered about the function of dance in the post-independence era? Indonesia contains so many traditional dances that influence Indonesian to express their creativity among the most isolated tribes in Indonesia.

Indonesian have already known about dance since the colonialism era as the country has the largest ethnic groups in Indonesia. After that, the function of dance in the post-independence era significantly change that only played among the kingdom family.

Later on, most Indonesian believe that the function of dance in the post-independence era brings the most historical moment to awareness of other cultures in the archipelago. The dance makes them connect one to another significantly such as during Chinese New Year traditions in Indonesia.

If you are wondering about the function of dance in the post-independence era, here we have some of them on the list below! Let’s check them out!

1. Self-development

The function of dance in the post-independence era in Indonesia brings the biggest changes to Indonesian in their self-development. During the colonialism era, Indonesian should have repressed their ideas and didn’t dare to express their self in dance.

The post-independence era bring Indonesian to self-development as they could express their ideas. They dare into creating something new in the dance that could lead Indonesia into unity.

The self-development in Indonesian dance could show in so many different moves of the dance. Not only riches with creativity but also keep the sacred culture inside the dance that influenced modern dance in Indonesia.

2. Custom cultural ceremony

In Indonesia, one of the functions of dance in the post-independence era changed into a custom cultural ceremony. As the country contains different cultures with sacred values behind them, custom cultural ceremony with dance makes more valuable for them.

The dance that plays during a custom cultural ceremony is commonly led by a local shaman, which gives a specific ritual. The ceremony can be held for different purposed depending on the region, such as some traditional dances from Bali. The dance in custom cultural ceremonies is different from other regions in Indonesia. They could hold it to ask the god a great farming, healthiness, into wealth.

3. Religion ceremony

One of the functions of dance in the post-independence era in Indonesia is the religious ceremony. The country has around six religions that are admitted by the Indonesian government and all of them have specific dance ceremonies.

The dance that plays during a religious ceremony commonly brings the values of the religion with the purpose to spreads the values among Indonesian such as some traditional dances from Aceh.

During the post-independence era, Indonesian still wondered what kind of religion they should choose. The dance helps them understand the value of religion easily.

4. Social relations

Social relations becomes one of the functions of dance in the post-independence era in Indonesia. As the country already reach independence, their social relations, among others need to be done for life. Not surprisingly, dance during the post-independence era built social relations into friendship, neighborhood, into business.

That brings the most changes in Indonesian in common. The social relations in the dance are not only held for local relationships but also international relations as well such as some traditional dances from West Sumatra.

5. Entertainment

The function of dance in the post-independence era that is commonly noticed in Indonesia is for entertainment purposes. Outside the sacred culture that is wrapped in most Indonesian dance, they are more aware to enjoy the dance for entertainment only.

The dance that pays for entertainment purposes is commonly held during wedding celebrations, birthday celebrations, welcoming guests, into independence celebrations, such as some Javanese dances. Moreover, there are so many events that are held in Indonesia which promote the culture. Having some dances at those events would make the events a different vibe for entertainment purposes.

6. Expressing ideas

The function of dance in the post-independence era in Indonesia can be known as the place to express ideas. Indonesia has so many talented artists that create beautiful dances. The dances become a specific place for those talented artists to express their ideas to an unlimited idea.

Not surprisingly, the dance in Indonesia comes in so many different variants. Not only traditional dance but also a modern dance that is followed by modern music is a great place for Indonesian artists to express their dance ideas.

7. Dance competition

The function of dance in the post-independence era in Indonesia leads to be a dance competition. Ever since the post-independence era, dance in Indonesia become a place that triggered many artists to create their dance ideas. The fact that there are so many creative ideas for dance in Indonesia makes it to be more competitive than others.

Not surprisingly that dance competitions in Indonesia develop well in the post-independence era up until now. The dance competition in Indonesia doesn’t limit to some specific cultures and regions. It spreads among the Indonesian culture, which brings Indonesian to realize that they have talented dancers in the whole archipelago.

8. Culture promotion

The function of dance in the post-independence era in Indonesia commonly become a culture promotion tool. As the country contains thousands of different cultures, that triggered them to promote their culture, among others. The culture promotion within Indonesian dance commonly could bring unity among the tribes. That makes them know each other and realized that the country contains different tribes as well.

The culture promotion within Indonesian dance not only unites the tribes but also brings pride to Indonesian culture itself.

In conclusion, the function of dance in the post-independence era in Indonesia change into a good development for the nation. Are you wondering about other functions outside that are already mentioned above? Tell us more about your ideas!