Saman Dance

One of the activities during AIYEP 2010-2011 was Culture Performance (CP), we're AIYEPers had to perform some of Indonesian cultures such as traditional dances, songs and games. One of the traditional dances that we performed was Saman Dance;

From left; Andrio (Riau), Ferdiyansyah (Bengkulu), Arozak Salam (West Java), Me *Ali Murtadhonuri (Central Java), Ridhwan Riza (Jakarta)

Saman (or dance of thousand hands) is one of the most popular dances in Indonesia. Its origin is from the Gayo ethnic group from Gayo Lues and is normally performed to celebrate important occasions. This dance is done by a group in one line (sometimes with some displacement) and dancers perform while kneeling.

On November 24, 2011 UNESCO officially recognized Aceh's traditional Saman Dance as an intangible element of world cultural heritage, which needs UNESCO's urgent protection. The ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) named on Saman Dance as the best ASEAN cultural preservation effort at the 25th ASEANTA Awards for Excellence 2012.

We performed Saman in so many places, here's the list;

• Australian Embassy (Jakarta, Indonesia)
  
• Harristown State High School (Toowoomba, Australia)
• Browns Plains (Brisbane, Australia)
  
• St. Pattrick (Brisbane, Australia)
• Park Ridge (Brisbane, Australia)
• Boronia (Brisbane, Australia)
• Youth Hotel, YHA (Noosa, Australia)
• St. John (Roma, Australia)
• Roma Citizen Senior (Roma, Australia)
• Roma Bowls Club (Roma, Australia)
• Big rig (Roma Australia)
• SMA 1 Wangi-Wangi (WAKATOBI, Indonesia)
• Yayasan Babusalam (WAKATOBI, Indonesia)
• SMP 1 Wanci (WAKATOBI, indonesia)
• SMK 3 Kendari (Kendari, Indonesia)
• SMA 4 Kendari (Kendari, Indonesia)
• SMP 1 Kendari (Kendari Indonesia)
• Australian Ambassador House (Jakarta, Indonesia)

Here's the lyrics of Saman Dance, special for you who interested in learning Saman;

Salamualaikum

Kamoe ucapkan

Keu bandum rakan

Jame ban teuka

Salamualaikum

Po intan buleun

Kamoe bri saleum

Keu wareh lingka

Jame ban teuka

Karena saleum

Nabi kan sunnah

Jaro ta mumat selamat

Syarat mulia

Nyawong

Nyawong geutanyoe didalam badan

Barang pinjaman si at Tuhan bri

Otrok bak wate ka geucok pulang

Nyawong lam badan Tuhan pe cre bre

Huts kalahuts

Huts kalahuts manna manan 2X

Jo ampun tengku raja

Sijumpe mileh si uleh karolah anan

Hai jala

Hai jala tun mile la mile jala tun 2X

Hai burek melaboh rong ateh

Rong gunong lah ombak

Cabang gunong lom aneuk-aneuk lhe kua

Hae

Hae Allah u ala eha

Han geteum rilla la putro

Ware han… han geuteum.. han geuteum rilla…

Hai LaHot sa

Hai lahot sa

Ila laombakmeu

Alon kapai di

Ek tren melumbeu

Hai bacuteuk

Salah bukon sa

Lah lon away (salah) me

Lah phon awak bak(di) gata

Hai peuraho raya

Bungka u sabang

Kapatah tiang

Tamong kuala

Hei menyoe na

Gaseh di uloen

Na nyeum bek cut bek

Lekang geu tanyoe dua