GANDRUNG DANCE AS THE ICON OF RITUAL ARTS OF THE SOCIETY BANJAR NYUH NUSA PENIDA BALI

Abstract

Gandrung Dance in Banjar (Citizens Association) Nyuh, Traditional Village of Nyuh Kukuh, Nusa Penida Sub District, Klungkung Regency, Bali is a compulsory art of ritual that is performed in every religious ceremony and tradition conducted by the society in BanjarNyuh. Gandrung Dance was made as a symbol of protection, considered as a sacred dance by the surrounding community, highly valued, and preserved. The existence of Gandrung Dance in various occasions related to traditional ceremony makes this dance is well known as the icon of the art of ritual in Banjar Nyuh. The term icon in Greek means image. Thus, the Gandrung dance as the icon of ritual arts can definitely play a role as the identity or a distinction for the culture of its Banjar Nyuh. Therefore, the focus of this study comprises of: (1) The distinctive feature of Gandrung dance; (2) Gandrung dance in the cultural rites of the society of Banjar Nyuh; and (3) The role of Gandrung dance in strengthening the image of local culture. This qualitative study with phenomenology approach is aimed to reveal phenomena of Gandrung dance in detail, as well as in depth pursuant to the focus of this study. The result of this research shows that Gandrung Dance is a product of culture of Banjar Nyuh and it is also known as the ritual-art icon of the society.

Keyword: Gandrung dance, icon, Banjar Nyuh.