The 43rd ASEAN Summit was successful in Jakarta on 5-7 September 2023. Traditional Indonesian dances warmly welcomed all guests and state leaders attending the 43rd ASEAN Summit at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Two typical Indonesian dances performed to welcome guests, delegates, and state leaders at the 43rd ASEAN Summit were the Geol Manis Dance and the Walijamaliha Dance. The traditional dance performance was a special attraction and introduced Indonesia as a country rich in culture.
Every dance performed has agile and beautiful movements and holds a deep meaning in every move. So, what is the meaning behind the welcoming dance of state leaders at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta?
The meaning of Geol Manis Dance
The Geol Manis dance was performed at the welcoming ceremony for the arrival of the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh. Geol Manis Dance, also known as Renggong Manis Dance, is a typical Betawi dance. This traditional dance is famous for its energetic movements, reflecting Betawi culture's elegance and beauty.
The Geol Manis dance is a traditional dance resulting from a cross-culture of Betawi, Arab, Indian, and classical China. It is said that this cultural acculturation occurred thanks to Jakarta's strategic position, being at Sunda Kelapa Harbor, which was the gateway to Indonesia at that time.
This traditional dance, accompanied by the traditional music of Betawi, Gambang Kromong, displays agile movements. It is said that every move in the Geol Manis dance is believed to be a form of the host's happiness at the arrival of visiting guests.
The meaning of the Walijamaliha Dance
Besides Geol Manis, guests and state leaders who landed at Soekarno-Hatta Airport were welcomed with a traditional Banten dance, the Walijamaliha Dance. This dance, inaugurated on November 5, 2010, at the Anyer Festival, depicts the joy of welcoming distinguished guests.
Walijamaliha Dance is a traditional dance that combines Javanese, Sundanese, Chinese, Indian and Arabic cultures. This cultural blend demonstrates that people can live together in harmony despite the diversity in Banten.
Showing agile movements, the Walijamaliha Dance reflects the character of Banten people who are open, cheerful, friendly, and energetic but still religious. The dancers wear costumes with religious elements, reflecting the majority Muslim population of Banten.
In addition to the Geol Manis Dance and Walijamaliha Dance, many other traditional dances welcomed state leaders who attended the summit in Jakarta. Some dances were the Koneng Tepak Kipas Dance, Kembang Khayangan Dance, and Warna-Warni Jakarta Dance.
Photo: Doc asean2023.id