Saman Dance: The beauty from Compactness in motion and harmony

The Saman Dance from Gayo Lues and surrounding areas in Aceh province, was officially recognized and included in the list of objects of cultural heritage was on 24 november 2011, which requires urgent protection by UNESCO. Saman dance is a popular traditional dance from Aceh, Indonesia. Saman Dance is very interesting by categories of dance . Invented by a cleric Acehnese named Sheikh Saman in XIV century AD, of the Gayo highlands. The uniqueness of this saman dance lies in the amazing compactness movements . The saman dancers move in unison and following a harmonious rhythm of music. That regular movements likely as driven by one body , continues with a compact dance , and following a dynamic sang songs.

In a normal appearance (not games) where there is a limited time, Saman can be played by 10-12 dancers, but the integrity of Saman dance is supported at least by 15-17 dancers. Saman dance played in a sitting position. Saman dance patterns in space is also limited at the level, ie, the height position of the body. From a sitting position on his knees turned to a position above the knee (Gayo - berlembuku) which is the highest level, being the lowest level is when the dancers body bent forward until 45o (tungkuk) or tilted backward until 60o (langat). Sometimes when you perform the movement with tilt to the right or left of the so-called singkeh. There are also exercise in a sitting position next pitch to right-or left-rear (Lingang).

Saman Dance is usually guided by a leader who is typically called the Sheikh. Saman Dancers and Sheikh should be able to work well together to create a compact and harmonious movement. Because of saman dance is played without musical instruments, then as a retinue to make the sound is using hand and body. There are several ways to get these sounds:

*. Clap both hands. This is usually use in moderate to fast tempo
*. Punch both hands to the chest. Usually use in upbeat
*. Clap your palms next to the chest. Was generally use in mid beat
*. Friction with the thumb-hand middle finger (kertip). Was generally use in mid beat.

In every show, all motion, poetry and song is synergize in a motion to produce amazing dance. So Saman strength lies not only in his verse alone but the compact of the motions are giving more value for the dance. This is manifest from the compliance of the dancers in their respective roles to play. And the song of the dancers add to the dynamics of saman dance. Where is the way to sing the songs in the Saman dance is divided into 5 types:

*. Rengum, the roar that was started by the lifter.
*. Tones, namely rengum that soon followed by all dancers.
*. Redet, namely short songs with short sound sung by a dancer in the middle of the dance.
*. Syek, the song sung by a dancer with a long high-pitched voice, usually as a sign of change in motion
*. Saur, the song that is repeated by all the dancers after sung by a solo dancer.

Now, along with the development, Tari Saman developed into an art that can be played in all occasions be it in the country and abroad. Until the end now customary Acehnese dance called saman dance, established by UNESCO as one of cultural heritage objects that do not require urgent protection of the world in the 6th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Cultural Heritage with No items by UNESCO in Nusa Dua, Bali

Just watch this video that i found on you tube , enjoyed !