Have you ever heard about traditional dance from the Dayak tribe? Dayak tribe is a native tribe in East Kalimantan that has beautiful and hieratic cultures, including their traditional dance that is different from traditional dance of Cirebon.
The traditional dance of the Dayak East Kalimantan is popular with the sacredness of Dayak culture. Since decades ago, locals believe that their dance has always been followed by a specific ritual led by the oldest local shaman similar to some traditional dances from Banten.
Traditional dance of the Dayak East Kalimantan becomes part of the richest Indonesian culture that brings beauty to every movement. The performance of the dance is even capable to give a different vibe of hieratic dance among the dancers.
If you are wondering what kind of traditional dance the Dayak East Kalimantan is, here we have some of them on the list below. Let’s check them out!
1. Hudoq dance
Hudoq dance is one of the traditional dances of the Dayak East Kalimantan that represent happiness after successful farming. This kind of dance is performed specifically to celebrate farming during harvest season that is different from some traditional dances from Ambon.
Hudoq dance is the original dance that comes from the Hudoq tribe, the sub-tribe of the Dayak Modang tribe. The movement of the dancing represents the bird’s movements that work hard to prevent another pest that might harm their harvest.
2. Datun Ngentau dance
Datun Ngentau dance is one of the traditional dances of the Dayak East Kalimantan that come originally from the Dayak Kenyah tribe. This kind of dance commonly performs within a song that followed the dancers that similar to some traditional dances from Central Java.
Datun Ngentau dance used to perform after harvest season to celebrate and make a wish for successful farming for the next year. Later on, the dance also performing for the Mecak Undat ceremony which becomes the most sacred ceremony among traditional villages in Indonesia.
3. Kancet Ledo dance
Kancet Ledo dance is one of the traditional dances of the Dayak East Kalimantan that is performed by the young girl. This kind of dance represent locals welcoming guest or stranger that come to the village.
Kancet Ledo dance is the original dance from the Dayak Kenyah tribe that is commonly followed by the traditional music instrument of the Gong. The dance represents kindness, intelligence, cleverness, and beauty.
4. Kancet Papatai dance
Kancet Papatai dance is one of the traditional dances of the Dayak East Kalimantan that represent manpower. The opposite of kancet Ledo dance, this kind of dance represents the power to protect and struggle.
Kancet Papatai dance has faster movement with agile and explicit moves influenced by the hard time that they’ve been through during the war. The dance also represents the defensive mode to struggle everything ahead.
5. Gantar dance
Gantar dance is one of the traditional dances of the Dayak East Kalimantan that originally come from the Dayak Benuaq and Dayak Tunjung. This kind of dance represents kindness to the welcoming guest. Gantar dance used to perform specifically to welcome the armies after they went from war.
The dance represents gratitude and happiness for those armies who were capable to struggle in the war and still alive after facing the horrible war. Even the Gantar dance represents happiness, but it also expresses some sadness to those who lost their lives during the war.
6. Ngerangkau dance
Ngerangkau dance is one of the traditional dances of the Dayak East Kalimantan that originally come from the Dayak Benuaq and Dayak Tunjung. This kind of dance is popular with the sacred dance in the Dayak tribe. During the dance, the local shaman would lead the ceremony to invite the holiest ancestor to join the dancers to dance.
Locals believe that their great ancestor is a part of the family that should never be forgotten. That is why the ritual was made to invite the spirit of their ancestors. They will dance through Ngerangkau dance together to celebrate good things among them.
7. Datun Julud dance
Datun Julud dance is one of the traditional dances of the Dayak East Kalimantan that originally comes from the Dayak Kenyah. This kind of dance represents happiness in welcoming guests and celebrating the big moments. Datun Julud dance is performed in the Pajang House traditional house in the Dayak tribe.
The performance of this dance should be attended by the chief of the tribe to honor him. Datun Julud dance is not only performed to welcome guests but to inform the people that something good would be coming to the village. That is why this dance is always followed by a specific ritual before performing.
8. Punan Letto dance
Punan Letto dance is one of the traditional dances of the Dayak East Kalimantan that originally comes from the Dayak Kenyah. This kind of dance represents the happiness of the struggle of the man to get his lover. Punan Letto Dance contains a story about a man that tries to steal a girl and keep her as his lover forever.
During the dance, the man would face so many difficulties to get the girl, and he has to struggle and fight those difficulties. Punan Letto dances commonly performing by single men in some specific ceremonies intended to get a wife. This dance is so popular among youngsters in East Kalimantan.
So, there are some of the traditional dances of the Dayak East Kalimantan that are worth preserving as part of the richest culture of Indonesian traditional dance.
Are you ready to watch one of those dances? Let’s pack your bag and be ready to explore the Dayak tribe in East Kalimantan.
