Holiday Ayo - Just like other regions in Indonesia, Riau also has traditional arts. One of the traditional dances in Riau is the Tandak dance. This dance is a gathering place for young people in Riau. Many married couples initially met through the Tandak dance.

Reporting to the official website of Riau Province, the Tandak dance is a social dance that is very popular in the Riau area. Tandak dance combines singing. It can be said that Tandak dance is a combination of dance and literature. It usually performed at night.

The form of dance is in the form of rhymes that are intertwined or tossed between groups of men and women.

source: Kompas.com

The song or rhyme in the Tandak dance contains things that exist on earth or the daily life of the Riau people. The purpose of the Tandak dance is to bring together young men and women. Not a few that eventually lead to marriage.

Tandak dance is a symbol of the bonds that exist between friends from different villages in Riau. In addition, to create a sense of security between villages. Tandak dance does not limit the number of dancers, even in this dance, they are free to choose a partner. Usually, the Tandak dance is performed every July-October when the farmers finish harvesting.

Tangak dance moves In the book Tunuj Ajar Melayu: Bitir-Butir Budaya Melayu Riau (2006) by Tenas Effendu, the Tandak dance is performed in pairs. Dancers dance with typical Malay movements while accompanied by music.

source: Kompas.com

The Tandak dance movement is a type of dynamic movement. Dominated by agile hand and foot movements. For male dancers, movements such as Pencak Silat are interspersed to reflect the valor of a man.

Clothes and musical instruments of Tandak dance use traditional Riau clothes. Female dancers, use a kebaya and long cloth. It is also equipped with bracelets, necklaces, and headdresses. Meanwhile, male dancers wear long sleeves and trousers. Equipped with a cap and sarong for dancing.

The musical instruments that accompany the Tandak dance are the tambourine and the kordeon. In addition to musical instruments, this dance is also accompanied by poetry or pantung with Malay rhythms.