Dances show palaces' glorious past<\/p>\n
By K. Basrie<\/p>\n
CIREBON, West Java (JP): Dance troupes from four royal courts
\ngave a taste yesterday of the glory days when tiny kingdoms ruled
\nwhat is now Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Although royal courts no longer retain any significant
\npolitical power, the dancers' elegance and their colorful outfits
\nimpressed the thousands who came to watch.<\/p>\n
The royal courts of Mangkunegaran (Central Java), Sumenep
\n(East Java), Alwatzkubillah (West Kalimantan) and Walio
\n(Southeast Sulawesi) all put on performances.<\/p>\n
The week-long Second Festival Kraton Nusantara, opened Tuesday
\nby Vice President Try Sutrisno, brings together 23 royal courts
\nfrom across the archipelago.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's shows were performed at the Kasepuhan and
\nKacirebonan palaces. Thousands of Cirebonians, joined by local
\nand overseas visitors, came to watch.<\/p>\n
\"I could feel the heartbeat of the kratons and their
\ntriumphant past,\" said a European tourist with a handicam.<\/p>\n
At Kasepuhan palace, the 131-year-old Mangkunegaran palace
\npresented Beksan Wirun, which depicts the life of two knights.<\/p>\n
At the Kacirebonan palace, the troupe from Sumenep Palace
\nwere loudly applauded for their two dances.<\/p>\n
The Codik Summekar dance is an epic in which Sumenep women
\nused konde (chignon) on their heads to defend themselves.
\nChignons were also used to commit suicide, a last resort to
\ndefend their honor.<\/p>\n
The Gambu dance demonstrates the rituals of royal guards in
\ndefending their palace.<\/p>\n
The Alwatzkubillah palace brought a touch of old Kalimantan to
\nthe festival, while the Walio court treated the audience with
\nthree numbers, including the Penare, a ritual to bid farewell to
\npalace soldiers heading off to battle.<\/p>\n
Some of the dances were followed by the palaces' royal wedding
\nrituals.<\/p>\n
Of the few dozen royal courts still in Indonesia, only the
\nYogyakarta sultanate retains any political power. The Yogyakarta
\nSultan is the legitimate ruler of the tiny territory.<\/p>\n
Festival organizers said the event aimed to preserve the
\ncultures and traditional values of the royal courts and to boost
\ntourism.<\/p>\n
Cirebon has not had enough accommodation to cope with the
\ninflux of tourists and some visitors have had to stay at mosques.<\/p>\n
Visitors also complained that there was a lack of any
\ninformation about schedules and events.<\/p>\n
Today's events (venue; time; location):<\/p>\n
Pakualaman; 02.00 pm - 05:00 pm; Kasepuhan Palace (Yogyakarta)<\/p>\n
Saoraja; 07:30 pm - 10:30 pm; Kasepuhan Palace (South Sulawesi)<\/p>\n
Istana Balla Lompo; 02.00 pm - 05:00 pm; Kacirebonan Palace
\n(South Sulawesi)<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta Sultanate; 07:30 pm - 10:30 pm; Kacirebonan Palace
\n(Central Java)<\/p>\n
Daily events (venue; time; location):<\/p>\n
Heirloom display; 08:00 am - 07:00 pm; Kanoman Palace<\/p>\n
West Java art show; 08:00 pm - finish; Kejaksaan Square,
\nKebumen Square<\/p>\n
Family tree expo, 08:00 am - 08:00 pm; Kasepuhan Palace<\/p>\n
FKN II Fair, 09:00 am - 10:00 pm; Kejaksaan Square<\/p>\n
Source: FKN II organizing committee<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dances-show-palaces-glorious-past-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }