Dragons dance in Tangerang

Dragons dance in Tangerang

TANGERANG (JP): After a 25-year absence, the traditional
barongsai dragon dance regained its fame here on Sunday when city
residents reintroduced the popular Chinese dance to mark the
country's 54th Independence Day.

Thousands of people from all walks of life thronged Jl.
Kisamaun to watch the show, performed by Chinese dance groups
such as Boen Tek Hio and Green Dragon Lion Dance.

The performers, mostly young Indonesians of Chinese descent,
danced the afternoon away with their acrobatics, to mimic the
movements of dragons.

Traffic congestion was unavoidable. But thousands of visitors,
mostly ethnic Chinese, enjoyed the show, which has reappeared
elsewhere throughout the country.

"I remember when I was young, my boyfriend used to take me to
the dragon show. Boy! I wish I could be young again," said 52-
year-old Cim Liam Ni.

Penny, 17, was amazed by the show. "I could have only imagined
the show from stories told by my mom and grandma.

"I'm very happy with such a rare show," Penny said.

Herdi Susanto, committee chairman of the show, said he
expected the show would be a tourist attraction in Tangerang.

The barongsai dragon dance was banned by the New Order
government in 1974 following the abortive 1965 coup blamed on the
Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). (41/edt)