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)