Fine Arts

Music | Dance Music

Learn about different music styles in Indonesia, from traditional to modern. In the area you stay or choose to travel to you will have the opportunity to learn the importance and/or symbolism of the instruments, how the instruments are made, how to play the instruments, how they are important to the style of music they are played in and to the ethnic group that utilizes the particular instrument. You will learn to sing different styles of song from this South East Asia country. You will have the chance throughout the programme to sing and play with locals the songs you learn and to have the locals sing and play for you. At the end of your programme there will be a presentation highlighting the skills and talents of local musicians. If you would like you can limit this program to focusing on only one instrument or type of instrument or allowing Indonesia Culture Exploration to take you on a musical journey exploring the world of instruments in Indonesia. An option is to visit schools of music in various places of Indonesia.

Rembulan playing for a band competition

Traditional Javenese Music, Gamalan

Crowd dancing to Rembulans set

Dance
Learn about various dance styles that represent different ethnic groups within Indonesia. You will have the opportunity to learn a dance style and dance with locals in villages in a village-party setting at the end of your programme. You will be able to view and participate in if you want in various ethnic dances, Tari Lilin (a candle dance), and Kuda Gepang (a dance with a horse). You will learn about the history or the story behind the dances as well as the basic execution of the dances: posture, grace, hand movement, as well as the movement of the legs and feet. If you have two left feet, do not worry, this is still a program for you. Anyone is able to join in and participate in at least one dance or two- they are just that easy. For those of you that like more complex dances, do not worry there are those too. A few of the dances are so complex and intense that it takes years of instruction and the right mind before being allowed to participate and execute the dance.
Candle dance performed by children.

Acehnese dancers