Art'Suku, a show of true artists

Art'Suku, a show of true artists

Now that the curtain has been lowered to mark the end of the show, what is left is just the images of beautifully choreographed traditional dances, rarely heard musical arrangements and their accompanying lyrics in languages that are strange to a Jakarta audience.

What do we know about our own traditional art and culture? What do we know about the lives of the tribal groups in faraway islands? Do we understand that their art is their ritual and their ritual is part of their lives, containing joy, sorrow, mourning and gratitude?

The first-ever Jakarta Arts Council Art'Suku Kencan Budaya Nusantara (or Art'Suku the Archipelago Cultural Rendezvous) was just the event to seek answers to the above questions.

However, it also left a lingering question: Are we going to have another chance next year to indulge in cultural events that showcase the richness and diversity of the country's traditions?

The council said, during a press conference prior to the event, that due to the meager budget only three tribal groups -- the Nabire from Papua, the Central Kalimantan Dayak Ngaju and the Mentawai from West Sumatra -- would come to Jakarta.

Are financial considerations of paramount importance when we talk about the opportunity to know and to develop a better understanding of how rich we are as a nation?

Rather ambitious, the council has pledged to hold the second, third, and so on, of this designated biannual event in the coming years on condition the government -- which must be greatly involved in preserving the nation's cultural wealth -- pays closer attention.

The willingness of State Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik to open the event and to share a few words might have provided some hope, but ultimately we will have to wait and see.

The images below (clockwise), wrap up the whole event, which was held from Dec. 17 through Dec. 19. Text by Emmy Fitri Photos by P.J. Leo