Gandrung

''Gandrung'' ( jv, ꦒꦤ꧀ꦝꦿꦸꦁ; Osing: ; ban, ᬕᬦ᭄ᬤ᭄ᬭᬸᬂ; pey, Gandroeng) is a traditional dance from Indonesia. ''Gandrung'' has many variations and is popular in Bali, Lombok and Eastern Java among the Balinese, Sasak and Javanese (especially the Osing Javanese). The most popular variation is ''gandrung'' from the Banyuwangi region in the eastern peninsula of Java, so much that the city is often referred as ''Kota Gandrung'' or "the city of ''gandrung''".
Originally a ritual dance dedicated to the goddess of rice and fertility, Dewi Sri, it is currently performed as a social dance of courtship and love in communal and social events, or as a tourist attraction. Gandrung Sewu Festival is held at Banyuwangi annually.

Descriptions

''Gandrung'' derives its name from the Javanese word for "love". It is theorized that the dance originated as a ritual dance to express the people's affection for the rice goddess Dewi Sri, with trance and as a kind of fertility dance. However, it has now lost its ritual connotations, especially among the Muslim Javanese and the Sasak. The dance has evolved into a social dance describing a girl looking for love companions. The dance has thus been de-ritualized, and has mostly lost its connections with the rice goddess.

''Gandrung'' is usually performed in an all-night performance that begins sometime around 9 p.m. and ends just before dawn. It is also commonly performed as a tourist attraction, for example in Bali or in Grajagan Bay in Banyuwangi. It is also performed as a social dance at communal and social events such as circumcisions or weddings.

The ''gandrung'', or main dancer, is usually an unmarried girl or a transvestite (or simply a boy playing the role of a female dancer). The dancer is dressed in traditional costume, with a fan, shawl and ornamental headgear. Often there will be more than one ''gandrung'' dancer in the performance.

''Gandrung'' usually starts with the dancer(s) at the side of stage, surrounded by the gamelan ensemble. When the music starts, the dancer begins dancing with hip thrusts and moves to the center stage. When the ''gandrung'' spots an audience member she wishes to dance with, she throws her shawl to him to bring him to the stage. The dancer and the audience member will then dance together. If there is more than one ''gandrung'' dancer in the performance, each dancer will choose a different partner to dance with. The audience member who has danced with the ''gandrung'' usually gives a small amount of money as token of appreciation.

''Gandrung'' is now also performed as dance of courtship and love between girls and boys in central and eastern Lombok. It is usually performed outdoors by the young men and women of the village with everyone standing around in a circle.

Similar dances are known throughout the Indonesian archipelago, such as ''ronggeng'' or ''tayuban'' in East and Central Java, ''jaipongan'' in West Java and Banten, and ''joged'' in Jakarta.

Music

The dance is performed to the tunes of a traditional ensemble similar to the gamelan, often composed of two violins, ''gendangs'', ''bonang'' and gongs with gamelan xylophones (''gambang''). A singer is also present to sing the accompanying song for the ''gandrung'' performance. Villages in Banyuwangi, Bali and Lombok sometimes have their own ''gandrung'' music ensemble. Variations in ensemble composition exist between the different areas where ''gandrung'' is performed. The music has been described as "vibrant and earthy" and has been recorded by several anthropologists.

Gallery

COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Studioportret van een gandrung danseres TMnr 10026815.jpg, A ''gandrung'' dancer with traditional costume, a fan and a shawl
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een gandrung banyuwangi danseres met muzikanten TMnr 10026816.jpg, Musical ensemble that accompanies the ''gandrung''
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Portret van een gandrung banyuwangi danseres TMnr 10026888.jpg, Gandrung dancer with a scarf as a dance accessory

See also

* Javanese dance
* Pajoge

References

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Annual events in Indonesia
Festivals in Indonesia
Javanese culture
Balinese culture
Java
Lombok
Dances of Indonesia
Concert dance
Social dance