Holiday Ayo -  As a country rich in culture, Indonesia is known to have a variety of cultural heritages. One of them is Cerana Dance.

Cerana dance is one of the dances that are part of the culture of East Nusa Tenggara, especially in Kupang and Rote.

History of Cerana Dance

Previously it has been mentioned that the Cerana dance is a dance to welcome guests. In accordance with history, long ago this dance was performed to give an honorable welcome to nobles, respected people, or elders.

source: Tribunnews.com

This dance is special because in the past only certain people were welcomed, but now it has become a dance for guests who come.

This dance originates from East Nusa Tenggara which is popular in Kupang, and Rote. Apparently, its popularity is not only in those two areas. Cerana dance is also popular in other areas, namely South Central Timor and North Central Timor.

How to Perform Cerana Dance?

The uniqueness of the Cerana dancer is that this dance is performed by a male dancer and six female dancers. The female dancer carries a box containing betel and areca nuts. This box will later be given to the guests.

The two objects given have a meaning, namely as a symbol of the heart of the people who are sincere, sincere, clean, and full of love to welcomed guests or tourists.

source: Tribunnews.com

Betel given to guests must be chewed in return for the welcome. The completion of this dance means that the community and the guests who are welcomed have a loving relationship.

Cerana Dance Procession

First, female dancers enter the dance arena accompanied by music. Then, the male dancers enter the dance arena and join the dance together. However, male and female dancers have very different movements. If the female dancer's body movements are very soft and graceful, the male dancer's dance displays more wide hand movements. The female dancers danced while carrying boxes which were later given to guests.

This dance procession ends when the male dancers accompany the female dancers to the guests. Then the female dancer gives betel and areca nut which is in a box. Finally, guests must chew betel as a sign of gratitude for being welcomed. After that, the dancers leave the arena and finish this dance procession.

Accompaniment Music

As one of the traditional dances, the Cerana dance is accompanied by traditional music as well. Its uniqueness is the musical accompaniment in the form of Sasando.

source: Tribunnews.com

Dancer's Clothes and Attributes

For female dancers, the attribute consists of a long sarong that wraps the body from the chest to the ankles. Their hair was shaped into a bun and decorated with a crescent-shaped headband. Then, they also wear accessories such as bracelets and belts typical of traditional clothes. One more important thing is the box that must be carried.

Male dancers wear long-sleeved traditional clothes accompanied by sarongs and slings typical of traditional clothes. Another attribute is the use of necklaces and head accessories which can be in the form of ikat or ti'i langga depending on each region.

Cerana dance is also one that can be found when traveling to Kupang. When traveling to enjoy the natural scenery there, learning about the uniqueness of the culture will be a unique experience that is not forgotten.