Indonesian Traditional Dance and Music

Introduction of East Javanese Dance

Indonesia has more than thousands of ethnicities. In East Java, existed 20 to 30 ethnicities and there are 6-7 types of major dances according to different ethnicity.  To master the art of dance in East Java we need to learn the culture of each ethnic differently because each ethnic has different unique characteristics. However, each dance has two forms of dance, namely solo dance, and group dance. Remo Puteri dan Remo Putra was referred to as a female dancer and a male dancer. Every dance like the Bapang dance in Arek ethnic has a story behind it. Followed by East Javanese Ethnic Mataraman dance and the characteristic of Ethnic Pandalungan exist from the combination of two culture which is Madurese culture and Javanese culture. Furthermore, Osing ethnic dance come from Osing Banyuwangi ethnic group. Madura dance, one of the famous dances known as Moangsangkal dance. The style of the dance is very suitable for welcome and opening ceremony. Next, we have been teaching a basic Remo dance from Arek ethnic practically virtually, about 5-6 steps. In addition, every different dance has different make-up and costumes. Every colour/element of clothes material represents a different meaning like red colour represent bravery. It can be concluded that Surabaya has a lot of unique dances according to different ethnicity that evolves from native community and combination of migration population around nationally or internationally. 

Lectured by Dr Setyo Yanuartuti, M.Si. from Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), Indonesia

Traditional Music

According to Pak Joko, “traditional music refers to the music that continues to live in the culture of society”. One of the traditional music is Karawitan also known Gamelan. Have been practised around the world including in Indonesia and East Java. This music has several tones that become a notation symbol for Gamelan music and as a guide to playing its instrument. There are several symbols from Slendro Pathet Wolu that read as 2-ro (zo-ro), 1-ji (G), 6-nem (emi-nem), 5-mo (mo-bile), 3-lu (lu-bex), 2-ro, 1-ji, 6-nem and 5-mo and everybody has been practised together with Pak Joko’s instructor. Furthermore, Tembang known as vocal has 9 vowels symbols that need to be master too for singing and one of the traditional songs is the opening song known as Gending Jula-Juli Laras Slendro Pathet Wolu. It can be concluded that traditional music needs specific training to master its uniqueness properly. 

Lectured by Joko Winarko, S.Sn., M.Sn. from Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), Indonesia

UNESA Summer Course 2021     

2/6/2021 Wednesday (16:00-19:00)