Papua has many types of entertainment used by the community for various events. Papuan young people have one dance used to mingle with multiple groups called Papuan Yospan Dance.
When watching a Yospan Dance performance, you can feel the intimate atmosphere and strong friendship of the dancers involved. Discover the history of interesting facts about one of the dances from Papua in the article below!
History of Papuan Yospan Dance
Although famous as Yospan Dance, it turns out that the original name of the Papuan Dance is Yosim Pancar. Yes, Yospan is an acronym for Yosim Pancar.
Yosim and Pancar are two different dances but are then united into a new one. Yosim dance is similar to a dance from Europe called Poloneis. However, the movements and expressions in Yosim Dance are freer.
Yosim dance originated from Sarmi, Papua, then spread and reached Biak.
While Pancar Dance is a dance that results from a combination of Biak’s original culture with outside culture brought by Protestant teachings in the 1909s. After that, its development was felt since the 1960s in Biak and Manokwari.
The Pancar Dance movement was inspired by the acrobatic moves of the planes that landed in Biak. The airplane’s dynamic, energetic, and exciting movements are the basis of the Pancar Dance movement.
Well, the unique dynamics of the two dances produced Yospan Dance.
After growing, this Papua dance is included in the category of social dance because everyone can dance it.
However, the group that often dances is young people, and the dance becomes one of the symbols of their friendship.
The social symbol of this dance is seen from the free number of dancers who can be involved. They can enter at any time the dance takes place and follow the dancers’ movements in a circle formation.
Papuan Yospan Dance Movement
Because it aims as a means of entertainment and familiarizing yourself with friends, the dance movements are relatively easy. This makes anyone able to follow the moves.
So, when you watch this dance and are allowed to join, there is no need to worry about being unable to follow the movements. In the circle formation, dancers will walk around while dancing. A pretty simple movement, isn’t it?
Well, to enliven the atmosphere, the dancers sometimes sing while exclaiming. These exclamations are generally helpful as instructions for the dance to continue.
Papuan Yospan Dance Costumes and Musical Instruments
The community will use several musical instruments to enliven the atmosphere during the dance. Some of them are the guitar, ukulele, and three strings for bass. The bass strap comes from pandan leaf fibers that are easily found in the coastal forests of Papua.
Not only that, but a traditional musical instrument called the kalabasa also acts as a dance accompaniment. Kalabasa comes from dried gourds filled with small stones or beads. The holder of this musical instrument will shake it until it makes a sound.
Meanwhile, the costumes used by the dancers are traditional clothes made from leaves or tree roots.
After being exposed to modernization, this dance outfit combines cloth and complementary accessories. Now many dancers use necklaces, head coverings, and ethnic Papuan paintings on their skin.
Already Well Known in Indonesia
Yospan Dance is now more than just a local dance known only to the local community. Its popularity has entered the national realm since members of Kodam XVIII/Trikora introduced it in 1987. Every time there is an activity, they will include the Yospan Dance.
After that, this dance was increasingly widely accepted by the public because of its energetic and energetic movements. Its popularity began rising internationally because it was brought to several world festivals.
Dance is indeed one of the entertainments that unite generations. Papuan Yospan Dance no longer binds the friendship of the Biak community alone but to the international community.
