Rudat Dance

This video was recorded when students from Malaysia, SM Sains Alam Shah, visited Lombok and were greeted with rudat dance by the students of SMAN 1 Praya.

 

Rudat dance-Lombok

Since their first encounter, religion continues to negotiate with tradition.  Religion affects local tradition, and vice versa.

At first, rudat dance grew up in boarding schools as a type of propaganda.  Over time, it become a folk dance.  Not surprisingly, we see it in Kuningan area, Banten, Lampung, even in Karangasem Bali.  In East Lombok, this dance can be found in almost every district.

The origins of rudat art is still not clear. Some argue, that art is an outgrowth of rudat remembrance day and Burdah, the remembrance that accompanied the movement of martial arts. Burdah is the singing with the accompaniment of tambourines.

Others argue, this dance comes from Turkey and goes with the spread of Islam in Indonesia in the 15th century. That’s why, this dance has much Islamic character, especially in the song and music.

Rudat dance is a traditional dance still widely practiced on the island of Lombok. It is performed by 13 dancers who dress up like soldiers. They were a long sleeve yellow shirt, blue knee-length pants, and along red or white cap called fez. They are led by a commander who wears like a crown cap, complete with sword in hand.

This dance is usually performed during circumcision ceremonies, khatam Al Quran, Isra Mi'raj Prophet's Birthday memorial and other Islamic memorial days.

Rudat involves dancing and singing a song like a Malay song. There is poetry in Arabic and some in Indonesian language. Rudat dance accompanied by a musical instrument consisting of jidur tambourine, tambourines, dap, mandolin and violin. The Rudat dance looks like martial arts Pencak Silat represents the cautious attitude of Islamic warriors of the past.

 The most prominent fecture in staging rudat art is a fusion of dance through kanuragan, and prayers.  The performance begins with the chant prayers As-Salam and dancers who accompany the entry.  Furthermore, they dance to the music and chanting of rudat poems, believed to be relics of Banten scholars from the spread of Islam.

 The poetry used to accompany dancers rudat include Thalab-Naba, Khasbiyun, Ya Qayyum ya khayyu.  The poetry segues to As-Salam, Khasbiyyun, Khayyu Ya Qayyum, and the Cover will accompany the dancers rudat out.

 Rudat verse has a strong inner meaning.  For example the poem, "Ya Khayyu ya Qayyum, La khaula wa laa quwwata illa billahi aliyyil adzim." This verse means that there is no power and effort without the guidance and permission of Allah.

Rudat poetry hints at munajat and the total submission of the limitations of human beings.  The dance movements, in every song sung will have different movements.

There’s nothing special of the  procession taken before staging rudat.  Rudat players are diligent, sincere, and have good mental clarity.  Afterwards, in particular all musical drummers (musicians), dancer, and singer of this song are  given a diploma by there “sesepuh”. / dance leader.

 As I mentioned earlier, Now, a lot of dance Rudat is displayed at ceremonies to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW, Isra 'Mi'raj, completing the Qur'aan, highlights Muharram, Eid and other Islamic great day.  It’s also performed in entertainment in boarding schools, marriage ceremonies and circumcision.  Because indeed, religious norms would be dry without the traditions, art, and culture. Given Indonesia’s unique combination of religion and tradition, I believe rudat dance is an important art to teach the world.