Siti Dayak Dancer - photo by David Metcalf
Siti is extraordinarily beautiful and determined young woman. His story is one of courage and determination and a desire to represent their culture through the spirit of dance. And she has a dream.
This talented dancer was born there twenty-five years in a small village, Mungku Baru, about a boat trip of two hours of Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan where she lives now. His father is Javanese and moved to Palangkaraya under the transmigration program. Siti's mother is Ngaju Language. His village is very traditional and has shared some of his beliefs with me, "My village is full of many minds, some good, some bad. The Shaman in my village hunting evil spirits and we feel safe in our traditional beliefs. "
Siti started dancing when she was just five years and never really stopped. In 2012, after leaving college, she decided to make a career of teaching of traditional dance and Dayak in January this year, opened his own dance studio called Darung Tingang This means big bird.
A typical day starts at 6:30 am and Siti often teaches or practices until 7.00 in the evening, sometimes sleeping in his studio, which is a reflection of how determined she is to make the studio a success. Most of his students are children aged four to 12 years and it does teach some older children in the school. Siti said, "I believe that every child who wants to dance Dayak should be allowed this opportunity, if they come from poor families and can not afford Rp.0,000 per month, then I'll teach them for free."
This woman's heart sometimes to survive Rp.500,000 a month, but is determined to make a success Darung Tingang. She is able to supplement his income by performing at weddings and functions of government and occasionally for tour groups, although few foreigners visiting Palangkaraya, but Siti has a dream.
"I want to play in other places in Indonesia and abroad. When I dance I try and evokes the spirits of the past and I feel strongly connected to my culture. However, I want to learn other cultures too. It seems that there are other people like us, like the American Indians and I would like to dance with them one day. My mother is afraid that our culture is losing its way and we are increasingly disconnected from the earth like most Dayaks leave the forests and rivers and move to the cities, as I did. Dance is a very important way to teach the younger generation to value our history and ancient beliefs, "Siti said.
Watch Siti dance, it is clear that this beautiful young woman like that it did. There is such an expression in her dance that embraces joy and happiness. It is obvious to me that she was born to dance and it would be a great shame if the public around the world do not see . this beauty and grace with a traditional Dayak dance, culture is beautifully illustrated and must be shared both locally and abroad
FOOTNOTE:.?
Voulez- Siti help realize his dream
Contact David Metcalf supporting dance academy Siti. the dance school is in need of traditional musical instruments and financial support to achieve in other countries.
David arranged for Siti and her group to go to Jakarta to perform at his book launch at the National Museum, which took place on March 6. The book hidden from the Indonesian Heritage - Cultural tours of Discovery is a showcase of Indonesian culture. Siti and her band are featured in the book and it seems that his dream began to be realized.
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