8 Traditional Dances from Indonesian that Recognized by UNESCO

Have you ever wondered if any traditional dances from Indonesia were recognized by UNESCO? Indonesian are famous for the richest culture that is close to their habitual activity. That makes their traditional dances come in different variant types from every Indonesian tribe that commonly perform for some Indonesian wedding traditions.

Most traditional dances from Indonesia that are recognized by UNESCO commonly record appropriately as an asset of Indonesian culture as the part of cultural heritage in Indonesia. Those dances represent the Indonesian specifically and the country as well as part of the intangible cultural heritage of Indonesia.

If you are wondering what kind of traditional dances from Indonesia that recognized by UNESCO, here we have some of them on the list below. Let’s check them out!

1. Saman Dance

Saman dance is one of the most famous traditional dances from Indonesia that is recognized by UNESCO. This kind of dance comes from the Aceh tribe in the Gayo plateau from North Sumatra. It is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage from Indonesia since 2011.

Saman dance is pretty unique, and it dances without any musical instruments. The dancer will clap each other and make some moves with their arms and hand, which make the perfect rhythm from it.

2. Barong Ket Dance

Barong Ket dance is one of the most famous traditional dances from Indonesia recognized by UNESCO. This kind of dance comes from the Balinese tribe in Bali that usually performed in many tourist attractions in Bali.

Barong Ket dance contains Barong as the main dancer. Barong is one of the mythical animals in Balinese culture, which represent the embodiment of Sanghyang Tri Murti and comes in three different mask colors red, white, and black.

The red mask barong represents the embodiment of Lord Brahma, the black is for Lord Vishnu, and the white represents the Lord Iswara. Those three have become the highest deities in Hinduism culture.

3. Joged Bumbung Dance

Joged Bumbung dance is one of the most famous traditional dances from Indonesia that is recognized by UNESCO. This kind of conventional dance comes from the Balinese tribe in Bali which is influenced by Hinduism one of the largest ethnic groups in Indonesia.

Jogged BUmbung dance is commonly followed by the traditional musical instrument made of bamboo. Local Balinese call it the Bumbung, so the dance name is Joged Bumbung dance. It usually dances by the woman who dances by herself, then pointed to someone to dance with her and stops once the music ends.

4. Legong Keraton dance

Legong Keraton dance is one of the most famous traditional dances from Indonesia that is recognized by UNESCO. This kind of conventional dance comes from the Balinese tribe that usually performs for tourist attractions that rarely plays in the most isolated tribe in Indonesia.

Legong Keraton dance is performed by three dancers of women, which has a specific rule in the dance. One will play Condong, and the others play Legong’s role. That character is inspired by the Balinese ancient story of Prabu Lasem as the dance represents the story inside.

5. Sidhakarya Mask Dance

Shidakarya mask dance is one of the most famous traditional dances from Indonesia that is recognized by UNESCO. This kind of conventional dance comes from the Balinese tribe that usually performs for tourist attractions.

The Shidakarya mask dance looks similar to the Barong Ket dance, but it using a different type of mask with a unique movement throughout the whole dance. The dance represents the most sacred dance in Balinese culture so you need to put some respect and avoid things that are considered rude in Indonesia. It’s commonly performed to close the special ceremonial event at the end of the religious ceremony in Balinese culture.

6. Gambuh Dance Drrama

Gambuh dance drama is one of the most famous traditional dances from Indonesia that is recognized by UNESCO. This kind of dance comes from the Balinese tribe that mixes with local culture to represent the richest traditional stories inside.

Gambuh dance drama represents the Panji story that plays followed by traditional music instruments named Gambuh. The whole story of Panji plays properly within the sound of Gambuh, and the complete literature of art inside that means a lot to the Balinese.

7. Sanghyang Dedari dance

Sanghyang Dedari dance is one of the famous traditional dances from Indonesia that is recognized by UNESCO. This kind of dance has the most sacred value for Balinese so it is kind of rare to perform it in public.

Sanghyang Dedari dance commonly plays for the specific purpose of protecting the village from many unwanted things, such as natural disasters, the worst disease, and many more. This kind of dance is played by four teenage girls and not followed by traditional music dance in common but following some women that sing along with a specific mantra to their gods.

8. Rejang Dance

Rejang dance is one of the most famous traditional dances from Indonesia that is recognized by UNESCO. This kind of dance has the most sacred dances that commonly play around the temple for sacred ceremonial purposes.

Rejang dance commonly plays by a group of women and girls with a simple movement. They dance through the circle around the offerings following the Purwa Daksina in the Pangider Buana ceremony in Balinese culture.

Rejang dances also can be played in some ritual places outside the temple, such as Sanggah and Merajan. Most of them bring a similar movement for specific ceremonial dance that is wrapped in Balinese culture.

So, there are some of the most famous traditional dances from Indonesia that are recognized by UNESCO. Have you ever seen one of those beautiful dances? Tell us which one that becomes your favorite so far.