Siti the Dayak Dancer – photo by David Metcalf

Siti is usually an extraordinarily beautiful in addition to determined young woman. Her story is usually one of courage in addition to determination in addition to a desire to represent her culture through the spirit of dance. in addition to she incorporates a dream.

This specific talented dancer was born twenty-a few years ago in a little village, Mungku Baru, about a two-hour boat journey through Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan where she right now lives. Her father is usually Javanese in addition to moved to Palangkaraya under the transmigration program. Siti’s mother is usually Ngaju Dayak. Her village is usually very traditional in addition to she shared some of her beliefs with me, “My village is usually full of many spirits, some Great, some bad. The Shaman in my village drives away the bad spirits in addition to we feel safe in addition to secure in our traditional beliefs.”

Siti began dancing when she was just a few years old in addition to has never definitely stopped. In 2012, after leaving university she decided to make a career of teaching traditional Dayak dance in addition to in January This specific year opened her own dance studio called Darung Tingang which means big bird.

A typical day begins at 6.30 from the morning in addition to Siti often teaches or practises until 7.00 from the evening, sometimes sleeping in her studio, which is usually a reflection of how determined she is usually to make the studio a success. The majority of her students are children aged four to 12 years in addition to she does teach some older high school children. Siti told me, “I believe every Dayak child who wants to dance should be allowed that will opportunity, so if they come through poor families in addition to cannot afford the Rp.200,000 per month, then I will teach them for free.”

This specific kind-hearted woman sometimes has to survive on Rp.500,000 a month although is usually determined to make Darung Tingang a success. She is usually able to supplement her income by performing at weddings in addition to government functions in addition to occasionally for tourist groups, although few foreigners visit Palangkaraya, although Siti incorporates a dream.

“I want to perform in additional places in Indonesia in addition to overseas. When I dance I try in addition to evoke the spirits of the past in addition to I feel strongly connected with my culture. However, I want to learn about additional cultures also. I hear there are additional people similar to us, like the American Indians in addition to I could love to dance with these people one day. My mother is usually afraid that will our culture is usually losing its way in addition to we are becoming disconnected with the land as more Dayaks leave the forests in addition to rivers in addition to move to the cities, like I have done. Dance is usually a very important way to teach the younger generation to value our history in addition to ancient beliefs,” said Siti.

Watching Siti dance, This specific is usually clearly apparent that will This specific beautiful young woman loves what she does. There is usually such expression in her dance, which embraces joy in addition to happiness. This specific is usually obvious to me that will she was born to dance in addition to This specific could be a great shame if audiences all over the globe do not see This specific beauty in addition to grace. Through her Dayak traditional dance, her culture is usually beautifully represented in addition to should be shared both locally in addition to overseas.

FOOTNOTE :

Want to help Siti achieve her dream?

Contact David Metcalf who is usually supporting Siti’s dance academy. The dance school needs traditional musical instruments in addition to financial support to perform in additional countries.

David arranged for Siti in addition to her group to fly to Jakarta to perform at his book launch at the Museum National, which took place on March 6th. The book titled Indonesia’s Hidden Heritage – Cultural Journeys of Discovery is usually a showcase of Indonesian culture. Siti in addition to her group are featured from the book in addition to This specific looks like her dream is usually starting to come true.