Heaptalk, Jakarta — As part of its 24th-anniversary celebration, the West Kutai Regency Government hosted a coastal dance competition on October 24-25, 2023 at Sendawar Cultural Park, Barong Tongkok District.
Coastal dance is an inland folk dance that uses cloth or scarf attributes in each performance. This kind of dance is usually performed in regency/city anniversary celebrations in East Kalimantan Province.
This competition was participated by 22 groups from dance studios in multiple districts in West Kutai. They performed their dances according to the schedule set by the committee for the two days of the competition. There were three jury members who assessed the participants’ performances, namely Tial, Abednego, and Hertalina.
According to the jury, all participants performed their respective dances very well and perfectly, making it difficult for the jury to choose the winner. After assessing all the participants’ performances, the jury decided that first place was won by the Nelayan Bubu dance group, second place was the Muara Pahu Junior High School group A, and third place was Sempekat Seluang Art Studio.
“We would like to thank the West Kutai Regency Government for hosting this competition. This shows the government’s attention to preserving traditional dances,” said one of the Abednego jury members when announcing the winners at Sendawar Cultural Park (10/25).
However, Abed saw that some performers were still nervous, making it difficult for them to follow the rhythm according to the title of the dance being performed. “In fact, dance movements that follow the music and match the proposed title are indicators of the jury’s assessment,” said Abed.
Regarding the dance movements, Abed asked the participants to understand well the title of the dance being performed to give a strong message and impression to the audience. In addition, the props used should be in accordance with the title of the dance to strengthen the message of the dance. (Translated by Sinta)