saman dance

Aceh, a province located in the northwest Indonesia, is much influenced by the Islamic culture. Hence the traditional art such as folk songs and dances mostly represent the love and the thankful to God (Allah). One of the most famous traditional dance from Aceh is Saman dance. If the Indonesian students who study abroad are asked to perform Indonesian traditional dance, usually they perform it because the dance is very unique. ^_^

Saman, which was named from a famous Islamic figure, is also known with the name "Dance of a Thousand Hands". An ensemble of men and women, perfectly lined up in a row, their arms weaving complex patterns as the tempo quickens. From the Gayo highlands of Aceh on the island of Sumatra, the Saman dance was originally performed to celebrate noble occasions, as well as to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad. It is an electrifying blend of dance and music, truly a feast for the eyes.