Saman Dance (Ratoh Duek Dance)

Hello guys. How's your day? Hmm. well I know, I know holiday is end. >.<

Here comes the fearful Monday following the weekend. However today’s class ran quite smoothly. Is not like the usual Monday because of a change in the schedule. The full of fun Korean class is moved from Friday’s noon to Monday at 9 am. This is better for me, so I can enjoy my weekend even longer. A side from the good news, I’d like to tell about a rather sad news. This is about my friend whom deceased last Friday. She was one of my best friend. We share same hobby, Saman dancing. This time I write especially for her. About how the first time I know the Saman and become interested to join the group till I had the chance to teach the Japanese who came to Indonesia. ((:

If you want to know the rest keep on reading, guys.

I saw the Saman right before my eyes for the first time at the beginning of the first term in my faculty, the faculty of cultural science, gadjah mada university. I was mesmerized by the performance of the Samantraya.  Samantraya is under the organization named Sastra Budaya, in which the members dedicate themselves into art and culture. Their specialization is in Aceh Traditional dance called Ratoh Duek (which literally means 'sits while singing').  A few days later they held an open recruitment and I eagerly enlist for the group. After joining for about three months I joined the group for some events in the university. And then after a year I have given the position as inventory manager. My task was managing the properties. That’s definitely not an easy task but the task made me more disciplined. In my times in the group I got the chances for dancing at many kind of events at the hotels, art festivals, universities in Yogyakarta, international events of Yogyakarta and even at another town. The performances were broadcasted by the local television channel and also appeared on the newspaper. It’s not a bad thing to become popular. Isn’t it? 

Samantraya's Logo

I enjoy my days as a dancer in Samantraya then I was chosen as a choreographer for 2012 to 2013. As a choreographer I made many variations of movements and many kind of formations to make the Samantraya get even more applause at every performances. The innovations I made was appreciated by my seniors in Samantraya and also by the audiences. I’m quite happy and proud for it but it’s not stopping me to always give my best for the Samantraya. I also give my thanks to everyone in Samantraya including Shabrina Hazimi Putri as Manager and Kendyda as Leader of Samantraya. Now the Samantraya has done a change in the management, but I’m always support Samantraya so it can be better.

 Performing at the festival. Wearing colorful costume 

  Performing at Atmajaya University, Yogyakarta. 

Wearing black and white costume.

 Me as the choreographer

Make up time 

Performing at Ambarukmo Plaza

Performing at Art Festival Yogyakarta

Me :)

There was a thing made me so happy that I could cry. When my Japanese acquaintance saw us training Saman dance, they are pretty much interested to the dance. And then at the one of the activities with the people from the University of Aichiken, Japan, they asked me to teach them the dance because they saw me train my friends once. Even though I was so surprised, I taught them with pleasure. They were so funny and energetic. They said “If we visit Indonesia again in the future, we would like to have some practice with you again” and I answered “sure thing, it would be my pleasure”.  Would you all like to go for some saman dancing with me?

With students of Aichiken University 

I learned many things with Saman, beginning from commitment, the bond as family, solidarity, and to understand each other. Samantraya is a community which taught us about the meaning of differences. Our spirits become one throughout the differences. I dance blissfully within the row dancing with my heart. I have been through harsh trainings. Even when I fell down, I always try to stand up firmly. Sweat was dripping for so many times. But the more precious thing is my new friends. And on the top of that, our hard work to bring smile to the audiences and the faithful supporters of Samantraya. I am proud to be a part  of Samantraya.

If you love to dance trying the Saman won’t hurt you for sure. If you are interested in joining us, just contact us. Our motto is 'Serving the best of all we can do, every time and everywhere' :))

Find Us on

Twitter : @samantraya

Facebook : Saman Sastra Budaya

Tumblr : samansastrabudaya.tumblr.com 

練習が完成を生む

(Practice makes perfect)