Have you ever heard about the traditional dance from Lampung? Lampung is one of the provinces in Indonesia. It is located in the southern part of Sumatra Island, which has the richest cultural heritage in Indonesia.
Similar to common cultures in Sumatra Island that are mostly influenced by the Malay tribe, traditional dance from Lampung also contains some of the Malay tribe. Not surprisingly that some of their dance costumes look similar to some of the traditional dances from the Riau Islands.
Some tribes in Lampung have a strong quality to accept for locals. Not only capable to influenced traditional dance, but it also traditional clothes, traditional food, and religion. That brings the richest culture to Lampung.
Are you wondering what kind of traditional dance from Lampung famously exists? Here we some of them on the list below. Let’s check them out!
1. Sigeh Pengunten dance
Sigeh Pengunten dance is one of the traditional dances from Lampung that comes from the Pepadun tribe. This kind of dance is pretty famous among locals since it performs often during Indonesian wedding traditions.
Sigeh Pengunten dance is the part of Lampung tradition to welcome guests. It represents that the owner gives thanks to the guest for coming to their invitation. The dance commonly comes louder with the traditional musical instrument of the Lampung.
Similar to the common traditional guest to welcome guests, the dancer in the Sigeh Pengunten dance also offers betel to the guest to eat. It looks similar to the traditional dance from Bangka Belitung which they call Sekapur Sirih dance.
2. Cangget dance
Cangget dance is one of the traditional dances from Lampung that is famously sacred. This kind of dance commonly unites with a specific ritual that attaches custom cultural ceremony.
Cangget dance represents the local tribes of Lampung. From kindness and sacred values, happiness spreads through the movement of the dance.
Cangget dance commonly performs within the wedding ritual, custom culture ceremony, welcoming guests, celebration harvest, and chief inauguration.
3. Melinting dance
Melinting dance is one of the traditional dances from Lampung that is famously known as a royal dance. Locals believe that this kind of dance was created by Melinting Royal Kingdom and heirs to the next generations.
Melinting dance used to only perform for the royal family. Since 1958, not only the royal family, but common people can enjoy watching the dance for free in public. Common people perceived the dance as a grateful dance.
As time goes by, Melinting dance’s performance has so many purposes. Even so, the main purpose is to give thanks to god.
4. Bedana dance
Bedana dance is one of the traditional dances from Lampung that is richest with Islamic culture. Locals believe that this kind of dance was brought by Arabian tribes in the past.
As the Islamic culture spreads in Lampung, most locals celebrated their success after memorizing the Quran. But, as time goes by locals not only dance for these purposes but also for entertainment needs.
Bedana dance commonly performs by the youngster. It represents the way they maintain good friendships with others.
5. Halibambang dance
Halibambang dance is one of the traditional dances from Lampung that represent freedom. Halibambang in Lampung language means a butterfly that flies freely in nature.
Halibambang dance represents the movement of the butterfly along the dance. This kind of dance commonly performs for specific celebrations, such as weddings. It becomes one of the sacred traditional dances for welcoming guests.
The unique thing about the Halibambang dance is that the dancer should come for the family who held the celebration. That is because the culture of the Sai Batin of Sekala Brak tribe attached some of the locals.
6. Nyambai dance
Nyambai dance is one of the traditional dances from Lampung that describes youngsters when finally unite their couple. This kind of dance commonly performs during a wedding ceremony as two people become one.
Nyambai dance is the process of youngsters finding their souls. That is why the dance movement contains some parts of the introduction, knowing each other, and settling the relationship.
Nyambai dance used to only be performed for specific events such as royal family events, official government events, and specific wedding celebrations. Nowadays, people can watch it freely at most wedding celebrations.
7. Piring Dua Belas dance
Piring Dua Belas dance is one of the traditional dances from Lampung that perform specifically to welcome warriors home. This kind of dance represents happiness among locals welcoming their warriors coming home after a hard war.
The Piring Dua Belas dance used to perform by the queen that happily welcomed the warriors. The dance performs by two kinds of people from the royal family and common people. They are differentiated by their costumes.
Nowadays, the Piring Dua Belas dance can be performed by anyone without looking at their background family. Mostly it is performed for wedding ceremonies since the war is over.
8. Tupping dance
Tupping dance is one of the traditional dances from Lampung that contains a drama. Even if it includes drama, it is different from a theatrical dance performance.
The tupping dance contains patriotism from locals that contribute to guarding the royal family to fight colonialism. That is why the dance should be performed by men. The dancer has to contain 12 dancers can’t be more or less.
Locals believe that Tupping dance used to be perceived as a sacred dance. Guarding the royal family used to start with a sacred ritual that bring power to them. That is why the dancers must follow the ritual before performing.
These traditional dances from Lampung famously exist and influence the culture of locals. Not only bring unity among locals but also kindness and happiness. That represents the most of locals in Lampung from their daily habits.
