Gesture and Their Meaning of Artistic Movements in Welcoming Guest in Indonesia

Abstract

This research explores the gestures and meanings embedded in traditional regional dances of Indonesia, particularly those associated with welcoming guests. Recognizing the diminishing interest in these cultural practices among the younger generation. The study aims to provide insights into the significance of movements in dances from various Indonesian regions. The analysis draws on semiotic theory (Charles Sanders Peirce, 1857-1914), categorizing dance gestures into iconic, deictic, metaphoric, and beat forms. The researcher are interested in exploring gesture and their meaning of artistic movements in welcoming guest in Indonesia. Examining 10 regional dance videos, the researchers found that iconic gestures, visually depicting objects or concepts, dominate the welcoming dances, comprising 48% of the observed movements. Metaphoric gestures, conveying abstract concepts, follow at 32%, while deictic gestures, pointing to specific objects or people, constitute 12%. Beat gestures, synchronized with the rhythm of music or dance, account for 8%. This study contributes to preserving and understanding the cultural richness encapsulated in the gestures of traditional Indonesian dances, emphasizing the need to safeguard this heritage for future generations