The Beauty of the Saman Dance from Aceh

Saman dance is a dance Gayo usually displayed to celebrate important events in the customs. Poetry in language use Gayo saman dance. In addition, this dance is usually displayed to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad. In some literature mentions saman dance in Aceh was founded and developed by Sheikh Saman, a scholar from the Southeast Aceh Gayo. Saman dance designated as a UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Man in the 6th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of UNESCO World Heritage No objects in Bali, November 24, 2011.

Many modern society in the countries of Asia, Australia, and Europe adopted the harmony and the speed of movement of this dance. However, the authenticity of this dance can never be replicated because the essence of this dance will only find in Aceh. Staged by a group of traditional dancers and the most colorful uniform bright, this dance is the development of Acehnese dance called Pok Ane. Saman dance accompanied by poetry, music, and song combined with the clapping of hands, pat on the chest, and thighs. The dance moves are very harmonious and fast so that could make the audience in awe.

Saman Dance is one of the media for the achievement of propaganda message that reflects the value of education, religion, manners, heroism, compactness, and togetherness. Before the beginning there will be a dance saman Preamble or opening, to the appearance of an old intellectual or traditional leaders to represent the local community (keketar) which gives the poem contains advice and propaganda to the players and spectators.

Saman dance played with dynamic movements and attractive by 10-12 dancers, but integrity is supported Saman least 15-17 dancers. In a further development, this dance is played also by women or a mix between men and women with other motion modifications.

Saman dance movements in a very unique because it shows the movement of applause, applause chest, and similar movements. All dancers must dance with harmony and tempo usually Saman dance faster and faster and it makes it very interesting dance. Saman usually displayed not use the accompaniment of musical instruments, but using sound of the dancers and the applause they were usually combined with beating their breasts and thighs as synchronization and threw the body into different directions. This dance is guided by a leader who is usually called the cleric.

Saman dance is danced in a sitting position, including the type of art ratoh duk (dance sitting) where dancers sitting kneeling position, depressed body weight to both feet. Saman dance patterns in space is also limited to the height position of the body. From a sitting position on his knees turned to a position above the knee (berlembuku) which is the highest level, while the lowest level is when the dancer body bent forward to 45 ° (tungkuk) or tilted backward to 60 ° (Langat). Sometimes when the motion is accompanied tilt to the right or to the left, called novice. There are also exercise in the sitting position pitch to right-or left-rear (Lingang). Because of the uniformity of formation and punctuality is a must in this dance show, the dancers are required to have a high concentration and serious training in order to perform perfectly.