Selampit Delapan Dance is a traditional dance originating from the province of Jambi. This dance was first introduced by M. Ceylon when on duty at the Jambi Provincial Culture Department in the1970’s. Men born in Padang Sidempuan July 7, 1941 has exceptional talent in the arts, especially dance. As a good personal, friendly, and energetic makes him easy to adapt to local culture and environment. More activities in the field of culture struggling to make himself successfully captures the deepest messages of the community association which is processed into a work of art called Selampit Delapan Dance. In development, the dance was later determined to be one of the typical dances of Jambi Province.
Dance association was first played by eight people using the wick stove as much as 8 rope tied to or hung in the attic. Ceylon dance named with the name “Selampit Delapan Dance” which refers to 8 straps that are used in the dance. Ceylon friend named O.K. Hendrik then suggested to replace the wick stove with a scarf so that played dance lookedmore appealing. The proposal was approved by the Ceylon, so that in any event staging Dance Eight braid, scarf used as a medium of dance until now.
By M. Ceylon, Dance braid was first introduced to glue the association relationship antarpemuda. Through the medium of dance, the atmosphere of intimacy antarpemuda can be developed well. Every movement in this dance describes the cohesiveness, and solidarity that is the guidance in daily life. In Selampit Delapan Dance contained a message about the meaning of an association, that association is based on good faith, mutual respect, and behaved wisely. Surely this view is inseparable from the philosophy of community life Jambi uphold the values of faith as a corner stonein each interaction.
Selampit Delapan Dance lots shown on party activities, like party and promotion of indigenous culture. At the party activities, dance is featured in the great days contained in the City and the Province of Jambi, such as the conferment of degrees indigenous heritage, the Anniversary of Jambi, which fell in May, the Anniversary (HUT) in Jambi Province in January, and party Jambi community in commemorating the Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), which falls on August 17.Dancing With the braid Eight servings, activity is expected to be more festive party. On a large scale, this dance is displayed in cultural activities both locally and nationally outside Jambi Province. Dance is not uncommon even braid Eight displayed as one of the media campaign Nusantara culture abroad.
In Selampit Delapan Dance spectators can watch the graceful movements that are served by the dancers. The dance opened with a squat movement and play while you deliver to greet obeisance to the audience as respect. This has become one characteristic of the Malay dances.The dancers perform the movement regards as a tribute to the audience of his willingness witnessed the dance offerings from start to finish.
After delivering the greeting of respect, the dance continued with the core movement. Each dancer immediately takes the scarf that hung to further prepare for the core motion. They then formed a circle before making a rotary motion. Slowly one by one from the dancers spin to knit a scarf, this movement is done in turns with graceful movements, so the scarf coalesce into a beautiful winding. After a nice blend with the scarf, the dance movement followed by opening a knitted scarf. His movements were performed exactly like the early movements when making knitting.After the knitting is finished loading, then the position of the dancers back to form a circle formation scarf while playing with a regular motion and carried to completion until the scarf back open as usual.
Interesting dance movements increases withthe composition of colorful clothes and scarves are worn by dancers. Thedancers, amounting to 8 people (4 pairs) appear with the composition ofcolorful clothes, like blue, yellow, red, and pink scarf with a matching color.Assorted colors are beautiful looks combined with typical Malay Jambi wovensarong made of gold-embroidered silk used as a belt.
Eight dance braid can be found in the city of Jambi, Jambi Province, Indonesia. Usually the dance featured in Jambi community cultural activities, such as cultural party, anniversary of the city of Jambi, Jambi Province, as well as the Anniversary of RI.
To get to the city of Jambi journey canbe reached by using public transportation (metro mini), taxi, or private car.If using public transportation (public transportation), the trip can be started from the Sultan Taha Airport Syaifuddin proceed to Telanai Pura Jambi, Jambi city which also became the capital city of Jambi province with about 15 minutes travel time.
For tourists from outside the city who want to linger in the city of Jambi towitness the Dance of Eight braid, can stay at the hotel are numerous in the city. In addition, along the road in the city of Jambi, there are many restaurants and restaurants serving variety of dishes typical of Jambi Malay.
