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