Lenggang Nyai Dance, Betawi Traditional Dance Jakarta

Every traditional dance must have a message to convey to every movement. There are stories that inspire a choreographer in terms of creating his dance moves, such as love, passion, struggle and so forth. One of the dances that are inspired by this is the Lenggang Nyai Dance, a dance from Betawi or Jakarta that tells the story of Nyai Dasimah.



The origin of this lenggang dance comes from the story of a beautiful girl from Betawi named Nyai Dasimah who was in confusion to choose two choices of a spouse, a Dutch and an Indonesian. He later became the wife of a Dutchman named Edward William. Feeling constrained by the rules that her husband made, Nyai Dasima also made the excuse to rebel for the abuse committed against him. This struggle for women's rights inspired Wiwiek Widiastuti to commemorate Nyai Dasima's struggle in the form of Lenggang Nyai dance movement.



Lenggang Nyai dance character is more using the form of a lively movement as a personification of Betawi society. Sometimes, as cannot make decisions, this dance movement shows how it moves on one side to the other. besides that, Lenggang Nyai dance tells about the cheerfulness and flexibility of the young girl of Betawi and of course Nyai Dasima's happiness which can determine his life choice.



Like other Betawi dances, this dance is also performed using the musical accompaniment of Gambang Kromong which has Chinese cultural elements. The costumes were worn by the dancers in this dance usually wear the dominance of the flaming red color as well as the head decoration that is identical with the Chinese tradition.



Although this dance Lenggang Nyai including dance new works, Lenggang Nyai Dance can be said popular in Betawi and surrounding society. Like Ondel-ondel, this dance is also often an icon for Betawi people. Proven by often brought in special occasions in foreign countries and other names pinned on this dance, namely Lenggang Betawi Dance.