Janger


Janger is one of the most popular dances from Bali, Indonesia The term roughly translates to '"infatuation," with a connotation of someone who is madly in love” :97

History

Janger is a social dance created in the 1920s, though its exact date of origin is unknown:17, 161 I Madé Kredek claims it 'originated in the village of Menyali, North Bali and the songs featured in it were those of the horse drivers in the area.':101

Performance

Janger is a 'flirtatious youth group dance';:92 it begins with a tabelau vivant and a welcoming song.:161 This is followed by 12 male dancers who perform an elaborate routine; when finished, they sit in two rows of six facing each other, and a female group enters and sings a traditional folk song,:161 and perform a slower dance with an 'emphasis on fluid, undulating, arm movements':100 When finished they form two lines of six, with the male dancers 'forming a boundary around the playing area.':161 This opening is followed by a drama, which usually concerns some sort of domestic theme.:162

Gallery