Kenong, saron, gendang, tamborin, suling, rebana. What are these mysterious names? Probably at least one of them sounds familiar enough to be a clue: they are instruments, of course. During this year's edition of the FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF MOUNTAINS the audience will have an opportunity to experience their sounds during a performance by SMP AL AZHAR 1 from Jakarta.
The ensemble from the Indonesian capital is as old as the current century. This is because it was founded in 2000. The ensemble’s ambition is to preserve the traditions characteristic of their country’s many provinces, traditions related to dancing, singing and other performing arts, while the founders of SMP AL AZHAR 1 want to “provide a positive social and educational environment for young people.”
The young artists represent the Betawi ethnographic group. Originally, as residents of Jakarta, the Betawi were Sundanese, and by following some interesting assimilation processes it is possible to discern elements of Chinese culture in their traditions as well.
It seems that the ensemble’s performance will climax with the saman dance, otherwise known as the dance of a thousand hands. It is the most popular dance in Indonesia, and on 24 November 2011 it was appreciated by UNESCO, which officially recognized it as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The cradle of saman is the Gayo ethnic group from the Gayo Lues regency in the Aceh province of Sumatra, and the dance is usually performed on the occasion of major ceremonies. This time, let the 30th edition of the world's most beautiful children's festival be a worthy occasion for the dance to appear on the stage of the FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF MOUNTAINS.
The young artists represent the Betawi ethnographic group. Originally, as residents of Jakarta, the Betawi were Sundanese, and by following some interesting assimilation processes it is possible to discern elements of Chinese culture in their traditions as well.
It seems that the ensemble’s performance will climax with the saman dance, otherwise known as the dance of a thousand hands. It is the most popular dance in Indonesia, and on 24 November 2011 it was appreciated by UNESCO, which officially recognized it as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The cradle of saman is the Gayo ethnic group from the Gayo Lues regency in the Aceh province of Sumatra, and the dance is usually performed on the occasion of major ceremonies. This time, let the 30th edition of the world's most beautiful children's festival be a worthy occasion for the dance to appear on the stage of the FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF MOUNTAINS.