Philosophy and characteristics of the Aceh Dance (Indonesian club saman dance)

Acehnese dance Having  Typical characteristics of its own. One interesting feature of Aceh the dance is that it is done in groups. Seudati heroic carried by eight people. Saman, also known by the name of "a thousand hand dance" performed simultaneously and dynamically usually performed by ten men or ten women. Likok Pulok too, though it can also be danced eight or twelve people. Ranub Lampuan beautiful dance to honor guests are usually done by six or eight virgin Aceh. There are no dance conducted Aceh alone.

Is it because people of Aceh did not dare to dance alone? It seems not. Because supposedly Acehnese had great individual courage. On this the Pramoedya admit it. "People dare carok Madurese, Javanese if fighting like a brawl, but people of Aceh have outstanding individual courage" so roughly Pramoedya said in one interview before end of his life.

When the Aceh War took place, when the resistance forces in Aceh started lose, the Dutch colonial army fighters frequently ravaged Aceh individually so known "Atjehnese murder" (Atjeh-moord). The same phenomenon has appeared future DOM and various military operations by Indonesian soldiers in Aceh after the 1980s.

Another distinctive feature various dance Aceh is the absence of a sheikh (leader) and sometimes also known as aneuk syech, such as deputy or assistant of syech. it's probably something to do with the concept of imams and the emirs in Islam that has its own unique face in Aceh. This means any group of of more than one person, must choose one leader. If two people traveling, then one of them been be amir on their trip.

The concept of leadership in Islam also manifests clearly in prayers very democratic and egalitarian, which is said to be a source of inspiration for the creators of  Likok Pulok dance. Anyone can go to God her in the front row behind the imam, or even became his priest. Anyone can be a priest eligible to be met anyone who wants to learn and practice it. Congregation, the priest's followers, must follow the movement of priests. But congregation be warn if the priest forgot. When the imam, sorry, fart, whoever may replace him behind the imam and the priest with his own consciousness had to retreat. Imam need to pilgrims. Instead, the congregation does not work without a priest. Therefore, the Acehnese dances are a  congregation dance!

In some movements, as in dance Seudati and Ranup Lampuan, "the concept of of space in the form of a central-point-in-middle-ring" often appears. Margaret Kartomi, traditional art professor archipelago from Australia wrote: "... The concept central point-in-a-circle space believed to have parallels in the Persian-Arab thought and points to a link Aceh with Persia, Moghul, Turkey, and Arab culture over the past millennium. It regulates mosque-centered urban planning, some designs visual arts and some formations of dancers and musicians who circle around their leader at a central point. "(Kartomi 2004)

It looks like it is not wrong if we say that the dance of Aceh is one manifestation of civilization Aceh. How Aceh sees himself in the middle of the Persian civilization, Moghuls, Turks, and Arabs is seen in the concept of dance halls Aceh. Manifests also in the planning of villages and cities where the mosque is a center point, both physically and mentally.

In doing dance, Shaikh, amir, or imam leading dynamic movement and dance in unison congregation. Move forward together, retreat, sit, cross-legged as in Saman; prance, even ran excitedly as in Seudati. Graceful and gentle as in Ranub Lampuan. Assisted aneuk sheikh, a sheikh set the rhythm, emotion, and movement of the other dancers.

Cooperation and mutual trust between the sheikh and the dancers are a necessity. There are no dance Aceh without the cooperation and mutual trust. Dance lose its beauty and charm. We can imagine the hands, body, head clashing in the middle simultaneous movement nimbleness Saman Dance! Then dance will be dispersed. Dance also lost its existence!

Acehnese dances portraying the character of people of Aceh. Acehnese people can thrive and be happy if his sheikhs are priests who have knowledge, firmly, but also has a democratic nature. Many Acehnese are still suffering today because Aceh has long kehilagan leader who can lead the people forward movement. As Tari Saman or Likok Pulok without sheikh.