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The story of the Pendet dance

Pendet dance
Ig by @7ustalvin

Visa Bali Info – The story of the Pendet dance

As we all know, Bali has become a complete tourism center to visit for holidays, honeymoons, or while currently working from Bali.

But it’s not just a tourist destination. Bali has also given birth to many cultures in the form of art.

One that is so well known is the art of dance, some of you may already know the famous dance art, namely the Kecak dance.

Bali is not only in the form of the Kecak dance, but many other dances as well, such as the Legong, Pendet, Sang Hyang, Baris, and many others.

This time we will discuss the Pendet dance, its history, and the meaning contained in it.

Pendet dance

Dance is a culture that results from thoughts and interactions between humans. Dance not only presents the beauty of the body’s movements, but also the meaning of each movement.

Pendet dance is the oldest dance among dances in Bali, this dance has been around since 1950. At first, this dance appeared to be a worship dance that was performed when praying in a temple. At that time, this dance was intended as a form of welcome for the descent of the gods on Earth.

Pendet Dance Along with the Ages

Pendet dance
Ig by @kangmasdery_

The current Pendet dance is the result of a dance maestro from Bali named I Wayan Rindi. The Pendet dance movement itself is taken from the standards of the Pendet Dewa dance movement, or the original Pendet dance, which was performed for offerings at that time.

Without losing the religious, sacred, and beautiful values ​​of this dance, I Wayan and his friend Ni Ketut Reneng succeeded in incorporating an element of the Pendet Dewa dance into the Pendet dance that is popular today.

Over time, the original function of this dance began to change. Now, the Pendet dance is used as a means of performance and also as a greeting or welcome dance.

Until 1960, the Pendet dance was first held to welcome the opening of the Asean Games, which were opened directly by President Soekarno.

Pendet Dance in Dance

Pendet dance
Ig by @elena.oxen

After the performance of the Rejang dance, which is performed in the courtyard of the temple, this Pendet dance will usually begin to be performed with the formation of a pair of female dancers. Then the pair of female dancers performed the Pendet dance facing the sacred direction, also called the pelinggih.

The female dancer couple must wear religious ceremonial make-up and attire. Each dancer brings an offering. Starting from holy water containers, or sangku, cups, jugs, and other equipment. On the other hand, the dancers will also bring a silver bowl filled with flowers.

The flower in the bowl will be sprinkled on the audience as a welcome greeting.

Pendet Dance Equipment

Pendet dance
Ig by @rimantaka_production

Like other traditional dances, this Pendet dance also has unique clothing and make-up equipment, such as wearing Balinese traditional clothing consisting of green tapih with crapcap motifs.

The dancers also use a red tank top with a gold pattern, a red scarf tied around their waist, and a yellow angking with a tumbeng pattern.

The dancers also wear a clover flower on the left ear and a sandat flower behind the rose, as well as frangipani flowers, and also use a gonjer pusung decoration.

The meaning contained in the Balinese Pendet dance

Pendet dance
Ig by @theudaya

The meaning contained in the Pendet dance has various meanings, including;

  • For the Balinese, the meaning of this Pendet dance is gratitude to God for His presence in the world.
  • It means joy in welcoming guests who have attended the event with symbols of giving flowers and coconut leaves to guests by placing them in front of them.
  • Pendet dance means how to maintain a good relationship between the Creator, humans, and nature.

 

The Pendet dance is not only a neatly danced movement, it also has many meanings in life. Hopefully the reviews above can add to your insight about the art of dance.

 

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