Cerana Dance is a welcome dance or a typical welcome dance from Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT). This dance is performed by some female dancers who dance with a box-shaped container of betel and areca nut. The Cerana dance is one of the most famous dances on the western part of Timor Island, in the East Nusa Tenggara and Rote Islands. This dance is often displayed in various events welcome important guests or the group of tourists who are coming here.
History of Cerana Dance
Cerana dance was formerly a dance that is often used by the people of Kupang as a welcome dance for nobles, elders and important guests. This dance is performed as a tribute to the guests who come. In addition to Kupang, Cerana Dance is also very popular in some other areas nearby such as in Rote Ndao, North Central Timor (TTU), and also in South Central Timor (TTS).
Functions And Meaning Of Cerana Dance
This Cerana Dance is a traditional dance that is featured as a welcome dance for important guests. This dance will usually end with serving betel and areca as a symbol of public acceptance of his guests with a sincere, clean and loving heart. Then the guests who come will chew betel and betel which has been given as a symbol that the guest also welcomes what is given by the community, so that will establish a good relationship between them.
Cerana Dance Show
In the show, Cerana Dance will usually be performed by 6 (six) or more female dancers and 1 (one) male dancer. Accompanied by accompanying music and customary attire, the dancers with gentle movements depict a sincerity and compassion given to their guests.
In the show will usually be started with the dancers who danced with a music accompaniment. Then the male dancers enter the arena and then join together with the female dancers. The movements of male and female dancers in this dance are different. The movement of the female dancers will be dominated by graceful hand movements while carrying a betel vessel placed in the other. While the male dancers will be dominated by hand movements are stretched.
At the end of the show, the female dancers will be accompanied by male dancers who walk while dancing toward the respected guests and will present the betel and areca nut to them. After the dancers presented the betel and areca nut, then the guests then chewed it as a token of gratitude. After everything is finished the dancers will exit the arena while dancing.
Dancing Cerana
In this Cerana dance performance will usually be accompanied by the accompaniment of a traditional musical instrument called sasando. Rhythm is played generally with a slow tempo so in tune with the movements of the dancers. The melodious sounds of sasando music are also characterized by this gentle dance movement which often makes the guest or the audience mesmerized and dissolved in this Cerana Dance show.
Cerana Dance Costume
Costume or clothes used by dancers are usually customary clothing. The female dancers will usually use a long sarong cloth that wraps their bodies from the chest to the ankles. In this part of the hair dancers are usually in typical Kupang konde and also decorated with a crescent-shaped headband. In addition, the dancers will also be equipped with various other accessories such as bracelets, necklaces, and belts that are typical. Not to forget the dancers will also be equipped with a box of betel used in dancing equipment.
As for the male dancers also use traditional clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, sarongs, and also cloth typical selampang. For the head, cover is usually dependent of the dancers and in different areas, there is a ti'i using langga or cloth. Male dancers will also be equipped with a distinctive necklace.
The Development of Cerana Dance
In its development, Cerana Dance is still continuously preserved and developed by the people there. This dance is still often displayed in various events such as welcoming guests of statehood, nobility, or other important guests. This dance is also often displayed in various events such as local art performances and cultural festivals. Besides being used in preserving dance, it is also done to introduce to the younger generation and society the art and culture they already have.
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