Traditional and Modern Dance

 Traditional Dance

What is Traditional Dance?

Traditional dance is a dance that has been developed and preserved from generation to generation in a certain area. This dance usually has various characteristics that highlight the local philosophy, culture and wisdom in which the dance develops. So it can be guessed that each region will have its own uniqueness.

Characteristics of Traditional Dance

Traditional dance has several characteristics that lead to the categorization of traditions. Some of these features include:

1. Taught and studied orally or by word of mouth directly from the old generation to the next generation

2. Contains a philosophy that comes from the thoughts of local local wisdom.

3. Wearing traditional costumes typical of the local area

4. Accompanied by traditional local music

5. Have a standard or basic movement rules that must be followed

6. Has traditional social functions such as for the benefit of traditional ceremonies or other local activities

7. Sometimes it has special requirements in the form of time, place, and even only a select few are allowed to bring it.

Functions of Traditional Dance

There have been various opinions expressed on this matter. However, the general traditional functions especially in Indonesia, probably not much different in another countries are as follows below.

1. The coronation ceremony for the King or Traditional Head such as the Bedhaya Ketawang Dance from Central Java.

2. Ritual Ceremony, in this function the dance must meet the rules that have been kept from generation to generation as a tradition. Usually held at certain times and performed by certain people as well. Sometimes ritual ceremonial dances also have to present offerings in certain places.

3. Death ceremonies such as the Mapeliang Dance from Sulawesi.

4. Ceremonies for building houses such as the Seru Kju No Gawi dance in the Timor area.

Based on the various quotes and explanations above. It can be concluded that the function of traditional dance is divided into several main roles. Namely, traditional dance as a traditional ceremony that specifically functions as a means of religious and traditional ceremonies, dance for fun or dance for social interaction, and dance as a theatrical entertainment or folk spectacle.

Types of Traditional Dance

According to Humardani (1983, p. 6) based on the artistic value of his work, traditional dance can be divided into 3 types following dances.

1. Primitive Dance

Primitive Dance is a dance whose movements and accompaniments are still simple. In general, it can be said that the work on the choreography has not been done seriously. The costumes and make-up are also of little concern. This type of traditional dance is rarely staged and even rarely found, it is possible that this dance can only be found in remote or inland areas.

2. Classical Dance

Namely, traditional dances that have been established or standardized both in terms of motion and accompaniment. Classical dance is a dance that has received a lot of attention and is usually taken seriously by the community and has the full support of elders, aristocrats, or kings of an area who have achieved quite high artistic value because they have traveled quite a long way (having experienced a heyday).

3. Folk Dance

This dance has simple movements and step patterns and is quite easy to learn, even though it has undergone serious choreography work. This is because folk dance was born from the culture of rural communities outside the walls of the palace. It could say if this dance was created from and to be enjoyed by the people, so that there is no special burden on the kingdom or other rulers who demand great aesthetic value.

It should also be noted that there are traditional dances that have been developed. For example, the jaipong dance (From West Java, Indonesia) which is actually created in modern times. So, it can be said that this dance is no longer traditional, but is more suitable to be called a creative traditional dance or even a modern dance.

The Uniqueness of Traditional Dance Movements

What makes traditional dance different in each region is because of the uniqueness of the movements, musical accompaniment, make-up, to the clothes worn by dancers. However, the most striking difference is the unique motion motif that can be seen in hand movements, footwork, head movements or other limb movements. 

The uniqueness of the movement means that each regional dance has different distinctive movements. Concrete examples of the uniqueness of traditional dance movements, especially in Indonesia are as follows below.

1. The uniqueness of the movements in the eyes can be found in Balinese dance which moves the eyeballs to the right to the left quickly, dance expressions can be represented through these eye movements.

2. The uniqueness of the motion motifs on the fingers can be found in the Gendhing Sriwijaya dance because the bending of the fingers is the main strength of this dance.

The regional dance of South Sulawesi, namely Pagelu, has a characteristic movement with its feet resting on the floor.

3. In the Minang dance you can find strong hand movements, sometimes flowing but sometimes broken. The motives of the Minang movements are heavily influenced by the motives of the martial arts movements.

4. The uniqueness of the movements of the hands can be found in the Javanese dance styles of Surakarta and Yogyakarta. The shapes of the fingers are moved in such a way as to characterize and shape the character of the dance. For example, a dashing character or a gentle character.

5. The uniqueness of the footwork in dances originating from Papua is that the dancers' feet tend to move rhythmically and are very dynamic.

6. The Dayak tribe dance has a unique motion that inserts hornbill feathers tucked into its fingers.

Some Examples of Traditional Indonesian and Another Countries Dances You Need to Know

Indonesia's Traditional Dance

1. Pendet Dance (Bali)

2. Jaipong Dance (Sundanese)

3. Saman Dance (Aceh)

4. Bedhaya Dance (Central Java and Yogyakarta)

5. Suanggi Dance (West Papua)

6. Cakalele Dance (Ternate, North Maluku)

7. Tari Piring/Plate Dancing (West Sumatera)

8. Reog Ponorogo Dance (East Java)

9. Kipas Pakarena Dance (Gowa, Sulawesi)

10. Sembilan Dewa Arah Mata Angin Dance (Tengger)

Other Countries' Traditional Dance

1. Mak Yong (Malaysia)

2. Tinikling (Philippines)

3. Chinese Dances (Singapore)

4. The Jipin Tar and Joget (Brunei Darussalam)

5. Morris Dance (England)

6. Seungmu Dance (South Korea)

7. Nihon Buyō (Japan)

8. Flamenco Dance (Spain)

Modern Dance

What is Modern Dance?

According to (Kussudiharja, 2000) Modern dance is a dance which in the form of character, soul and rhythm is completely free from existing ties, norms and dance laws. This dance arises from a form of creativity from a dance creator called a choreographer.

Modern dance is a modern dance movement that expresses energetic, creative or unstructured body movements and is accompanied by musical rhythms that are not bound by any rules. The point is more freedom in determining the movement and rhythm of the music. Modern dance is generally favored by women, but not infrequently it is also performed by men.

Characteristics of Modern Dance

1. Their movements tend to oppose the rules that are generally accepted in traditional dances that have been established in society. Even though the movement patterns that are freer, but still pay attention to its beauty.

2. The expressions raised are personal expressions, not expressions of a particular community or ethnicity, and are not collective in nature.

3. The source of the movement may be free, but in accordance with the dance theme, whether it comes from traditional dance or livelihoods in dance studios.

4. The rhythm patterns, both music and motion, are not always rhythmic and melodic, instead they are often separated from melodic and rhythmic.

5. The script or story concept expressed through the dance work must be related to contemporary human issues.

6. Music and dance are not united in one rhythmic pattern, but are united in the atmosphere. Music is part of a dance story or a concept made.

Types of Modern Dance

1. Hip Hop is an edgy, raw and intense urban dance style also known as Street Dance. The origin of popping, locking and crumping, Hip Hop is mostly danced to rap, urban and not surprisingly, hip hop music.

2. Contemporary dance embodies ballet, modern, jazz and lyrical. It uses a technique such as ballet as its fundamentals and creates many more movements that do not adhere to the strict rules of ballet and modern. 

3. Modern was said to be first created as a rebellion against classical ballet. A raw style of dance, modern dance is an expression on the dancers' relationship to the floor, including methods of contractions, release and movement, as well as the dancer's of breath.

4. Tap dance is best described as "musical feet". Tap is a form of dance where dancers use their feet as percussive instruments. Tap shoes are that are specially designed with percussive metal plates on the toe and heel, called taps. 

5. Ballet is a rigorous style of dance that is the foundation of most forms of dance training. Tutus, pointe shoes and men in tights are what come to mind when someone mentions ballet. Yet Ballet is so much more than that. Said to be the most difficult genre to master.

Sources:

•https://serupa.id/tari-tradisional/

•https://www.travelapak.id/

•https://www.inspirationsdancewear.com/

•Pinterest

Name: Widya Anatasyah

Class/NPM: 3E/1910631060204

Subject: Intermediate Reading