Holiday Ayo - The traditional dance Gandrung is a Banyuwangi’s pride. It’s one of the authentic arts born in this city of East Java. A well-preserved dance and yearly celebrate in a tourism event Gandrung Sewu Festival. As indicated on its name, Sewu which means “Thousands”, the event involves thousands of dancers. As a result, the Indonesian Record Museum log the achievement and gave the city an award. For eight years, Gandrung Sewu Festival has proven to be a success. A lot of visitors come from all over the country and abroad.

The government of Banyuwangi gives special attention to the art of Gandrung. The purpose of this is to encourage the spirit of local ethnicity that will in turn increase the development of tourism. For this reason, Gandrung was determined to be the mascot of tourism in Banyuwangi according to the Banyuwangi Regency Decision, Number 173 in 2002.

source: wikimedia commons

This dance is also a genre with the Ketuk Tilu dance. According to history, this dance emerged when the capital of Blambangan was built, until finally one of the artists wrote a paper about a man traveling around to the heart with several musicians. The story later became a folk tale that was carried down through generations. Until finally the Gandrung Banyuwangi Dance was created. At that time, the people who enjoyed it would give some items, such as rice, food or other goods in return.

The word “Gandrung” comes from the Javanese word that means “desperately in love”. It means that they are in love with the goddess of the rice paddy, Dewi Sri, that brings prosperity to the people of Banyuwangi who are mostly employed as farmers. In gratitude for the good harvest, the people organize a performance which is called “Gandrung” because the farmers were in love with the goddess of the rice paddy. The Gandrung performance used to be performed at night, running from 09 PM until 04 AM. This traditional art is performed during the day as well to especially welcome distinguished guests.

source: wikipedia

The costume used is in the form of a velvet shirt, along with its attributes. At the head use a crown called omprok. For the legs use batik side. While the accompanying music is a kempul or gong. Gandrung dance that dominated with special orchestration is one of traditional art in Banyuwangi and become the characteristic symbol of Banyuwangi. So, in every event Banyuwangi always has similarity name with Gandrung.

In fact, Banyuwangi is often called Gandrung City and in almost every corner of Banyuwangi, we can found Gandrung dance statue. Gandrung is often perform in many event, such as; marriage, Pethik Laut (marine ceremony), circumcision event, anniversary, and the others events.