Properties of the Gambyong Dance: Definition, History and Functions of the Gambyong Dance

Properties of Gambyong Dance: Definition, History and Functions of Gambyong Dance – What do you know about Gambyong dance? On this occasion About the knowledge.co.id will discuss it and of course the things that also cover it. Let's look at the discussion in the article below to understand it better.

Properties of the Gambyong Dance: Definition, History and Functions of the Gambyong Dance

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Gambyong is the name of a dance typical of Central Java. This dance first appeared in the Surakarta area, created by a female street dancer. Even though it was created by street artists, who would have thought that the Gambyong Dance would continue to be famous and continue to survive to this day. Moreover, this dance also forms self-evidence for the arts of the Central Java Province.

The Gambyong dance is often performed by a group of female dancers with interesting dance moves to watch. The slow dance movements seem to hypnotize the viewers and get carried away by seeing the dance. The movement depicts the gentle character of a woman with all her beauty.

Usually this gambyong dance is performed during cultural festivals. There are many uniqueness in Gambyong dance. You can see this uniqueness from various sides, including in terms of the music that accompanies it, the costumes used, and other properties.

There are many properties of the Gambyong dance that you should know about. Dance props are all types of equipment and dance equipment that are characteristic and distinguish each of the existing dances. Each property will be explained in detail and must be available every time you want to hold a gambyong dance performance.

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History of Gambyong Dance

Initially, the Gambyong dance was an art originating from the Surakarta area, but after that it continued to be raised in other Javanese areas. Where at the beginning of its creation, this dance would be staged to welcome guests of the empire or during traditional palace ceremonies.

However, along with the development of the times, this dance has begun to be known by the wider community and is used as a means of entertainment in several activities, such as religious activities or weddings.

In fact, the Gambyong Dance is a form of development of the Tayub dance which is usually performed at harvest ceremonies or when the rice planting process begins.

The use of the name Gambyong itself was taken from a famous dancer at that time, namely Sri Gambyong who was famous for having flexibility when dancing and having a very melodious voice.

The popularity of Sri Gambyong at that time reached the ears of the sultan. At that time Sri Gambyong performed the Tayub dance which he specially prepared for King Pakubuwono IV in the Surakarta palace area. Since then, the Tayub dance performed by Sri Gambyong was then named the Gambyong Dance.

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Various Properties of Gambyong Dance

• Costume

The main costume used in this dance is the shawl. Shawl is a costume that must be worn by a dancer as an accessory to the Gambyong dance property. Generally, the shawl is worn around the neck or worn on the shoulder.

In general, the color of the shawl used is also not arbitrary and has been determined, which is a golden yellow color. The choice of the yellow color is because the yellow color is a symbol of wealth, while the green shawl color, like a gambyong dance instrument, has meaning and is a symbol of fertility.

• Kemben

People who want to perform the gambyong dance usually wear a special costume, namely a kemben. Kemben is a costume whose role is to cover the chest of the Gambyong dancer, where in this costume the shoulders are open.

Kemben can be found in the Java region, especially. Usually a tank is in the form of a piece of cloth that can be used to cover a person's body. Usually in the form of plain cloth or batik cloth. In the gambyong dance stage, a batik-patterned kemben is used.

Instead, his subordinates generally wear long cloths with batik-shaped motifs. In Javanese culture, the batik cloth is known as jarit or jarik. Finger motifs generally vary.

• coil

The bun is a type of decoration that is placed on the head. There are 4 types of coils that can be used by a woman. Usually the Gambyong dancers also wear a bun as a decoration on their head. This is intended to make the dancers look elegant and charming so that it is pleasant to look at.

There are 4 different coils that can be used by a woman and are also commonly used by a dancer, including gelungan mabunga tegeh, pepusungan, papudakan and others kekendon.

Gelungan mabunga tegeh has an identity that the front is covered with piles of flowers. The flower is composed of a bead and flowers arranged in a pyramid shape or a single moon. Usually this type of coil is used by dancers in the Sekar Jagat dance, the Selat Segara dance and the Oleg Tamulilingan girl dance.

Pepusungan buns have an identity. You can see the folds of hair on the back, front and sides. Frangipani flower arrangements also adorn this type of bun, which is known as a bancang. You can find this type of coil in Legong Keraton, Calonarang, Parwa, Arja and others.

The papudakan coil has a distinctive characteristic, namely that there is a crown in a triangular shape which is located behind the coil. The crown is a symbol of glory and majesty. You can find this type of gelungan in the Legong Keraton dance, girl characters in gambuh and others.

• Sampur

Sampur is one of the dance equipment that must be used by a dancer. Sampur is worn by a female dancer. This is because talking over sampur is generally synonymous with a woman.

In general, sampur is a long cloth. In general, sampur has various patterns. You can choose the sampur according to the costume you are wearing when you are going to dance. You can use it by tying sampur on the stomach. Not only that, in some types of dance there are also dancers who hang the sampur on the shoulder.

• Bracelet

The bracelet is one of the properties of the gambyong dance that must be used by dancers. The use of a bracelet is like a decoration that is usually worn on the wrist, either the right hand or the left hand. Usually, the bracelet is in the form of a roundabout. The pattern of the bracelet varies and usually matches the costume worn by a dancer.

The presence of knick-knacks or props in the form of a bracelet can add aesthetic value and can make the dancer's appearance beautiful. This makes the dancer a pleasure to stare at.

• Necklace

The necklace is also one of the properties of the gambyong dance that is attached to the dancer's neck and is a distinctive feature of a woman who performs the gambyong dance art. The use of necklaces for dancers is like a decoration that can make you beautiful and beautify your appearance.

The dancer will look elegant by wearing knick-knacks in the form of a necklace which is part of women's jewelry. These necklace trinkets are generally worn by a female dancer. There are also various types of necklaces worn by dancers.

• Earrings

Earrings are also one of the bonus trinkets that are usually worn by female dancers on the ears. The use of earrings is like a decoration that can make a gambyong dancer look beautiful.

• Stagen

Stagen is also one of the gambyong dance properties that must be worn by a dancer. Stagen is a cloth that can be used to wrap around the waist. It's almost like a belt.

• Jasmine flower

Usually the dancer's hair will be put in the hair bag. You will also find knick-knacks in the hair in the form of garlands of jasmine flowers located on the side of the head. The flower fell to the shoulder.

• Music equipment

Gambyong dance is generally accompanied by Javanese songs and music. There are also musical instruments used to accompany the gambyong dance, including kenong, drums, xylophone and gongs.

Kendang is the main musical instrument in the gambyong dance. In general, drums serve as standards and codes for music players to make sounds. Not only that, it becomes a guide for dancers to carry out a movement. In the gambyong dance, drums are known as dance muscles or are also called as the soul in the dance.

This is because the drums determine the rhythm of the gambyong dance and determine the music. The accompaniment of this drum musical instrument can increase the aesthetic value in each of these Gambyong dance performances. Kendang musical instruments are played by beating.

Gong is one of the accompaniment musical instruments for gambyong dance performances. The musical instrument is played by being hit using something like a short stick.

The xylophone is a supporting musical instrument that accompanies the gambyong dance. The way to play this musical instrument is to be hit by using a round shaped bat and totaling 2 pieces.

Kenong is a musical instrument whose presence is significant in accompanying Gambyong dance. This traditional Javanese musical instrument is part of the musk gamelan apparatus whose method of playing is by being beaten using a wooden instrument covered in cloth.

Gambyong dance function

• Gambyong dance is always present in ancient agricultural ritual ceremonies, this serves to increase rice fertility and yields to be abundant. Dewi Padi (Dewi Sri) will be interpreted as dancers who are dancing.
• Before the Mangkunegara Surakarta palace rearranged and standardized the structure of its movements, this gambyong dance belonged to the people as part of the ceremony.
• Currently, this dance is used to enliven wedding receptions and welcome guests of honor or statehood

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