Ritual and Struggle: Movement of Banyuwangi Gandrung Dance from the Colonial Era to the Reformation

Abstract

This research examines the Gandrung dance from a historical perspective from the Colonial to Reformation period in Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia. The origins of the Gandrung dance cannot be separated from the historical roots of dance in Indonesia. The birth of the Gandrung dance was intended to clean the village by worshiping Dewi Sri or the Goddess of Rice as an expression of gratitude for the Using ethnic group for abundant harvests and for bringing prosperity to the community. Village clean ritual activities initially used male Gandrung dancers. The process of changing a Gandrung dancer from male to female contains metaphysical elements that are closely related to spiritual values. In the colonial period until the Reformation, Gandrung dance was no longer focused on as a dance art that contained mere ritual values but also contained political values ​​and commercial entertainment. Gandrung Dance is not only involved in political activities but also tourism performances. The various changes that have occurred in the Gandrung dance show mean that the movement of the Gandrung dance in Banyuwangi has taken advantage of changes to be able to continue to survive amidst global cultural flows.