Every culture usually has certain traditional dances that symbolize the value and the identity of the community. This also applies to Papuan people. They have traditional dances as their cultural assets that bring valuable elements to the tribes.
These dances are usually performed as an expression of honor or celebration at a certain time. With every tribe having its own traditions you might not be able to count every one of the traditional dances. Fear not, because here are 4 different dances that you will find in Papua island.
4 Traditional Dances from Papuan People
Here is some knowledge you might want to read if you are curious about the traditional dances culture in Papua. Each of them is unique and has different meanings that express their feelings. Here are each of them:
1. The Welcome Traditional Dance
The same with the name, the welcome traditional dance is performed to welcome guests who come to this land. It also symbolizes their gratitude and also their respect. The dance also is to show the hope of the people of Papua for the guest to feel the hospitality. It also gives insurance to the guest that they will be treated nicely.
While performing, the dancer will wear a traditional costume and also wear accessories such as bracelets and necklaces. This welcome dance is also accompanied by traditional music instruments such as tifa, ukulele, or guitar to make the vibe feel pleasurable.
2. Wutukala Traditional Dance
The Wutukala dance originated from western side of Papua. The Papuan people performed this dance as the depiction of the everyday life of the Moy tribe.
It depicts the activity of their tribe such as hunting fish. That is because the Moy tribe are mostly fishermen. Besides expressing about the lives of the tribes, the dance also symbolizes the gratefulness of the tribe to the things they have received in their life.
It is performed by men and women, about 5 to 6 pairs. The men will wear skirts of dry leaves and roots and headpiece from Cenderawasih’s feather. The women will also carry a bag that used to contain fish.
3. Tobe War Traditional Dance
The Tobe War dance is performed by the Asmat tribe. This dance was formerly used when the chief of a tribe decided that they will go for a war. But nowadays, it depicts the bravery of the tribe people.
There are 16 male and 2 female dancers wearing traditional clothes. The costume usually consists of a skirt made of dried grass, chestnut beada, a headpiece, and also paint on the dancer’s faces.
While dancing they will also carry certain weapons used in wars. Such as spears or bow and arrow. They will move their body to the rhythm from the drum.
4. Magasa Traditional Dance
The Magasa dance is from the Arfak tribe. It is also called the snake dance. The dancer’s link each other’s arms to resemble a snake.
The traditional dances formerly were performed to show victories of the tribes or show accomplishments. Nowadays, they perform this dance to show gratitude and celebration towards the guests who come to the place.
Traditional music instruments and traditional costumes are the accompaniment of this dance. It is performed by men and women together.
Conclusion
Papuan people have a long history and therefore rich culture. Their differences between tribes just makes the cultures become much richer than any tribes in Indonesia. These 4 traditional dances are just a little bit of taste from the real big deal. Because Papua has so many things to share with the people outside their land.
