Karangasem, On the Wallace Line

Gambuh Dance, Basis of All Dances

In the beginning, the Padang Aji hamlet, Selat Village, Karangasem had two Gambuh troupes. Padang Aji hamlet is located some 10 kilometers from Besakih Temple, or some 60 kilometers to eastwards of Denpasar. These two troupes then merged into one.
The Gambuh Dance for the inhabitants of Padang Aji is a compulsory dance that should be performed at every religious rite at the local village. The Gambuh Dance is also frequently staged at bigger temples like Besakih.
According to I Gusti Made Rai, Chief of Gambuh Troupe of Padang Aji Hamlet, this dance was developed around 1708. While, another said that the dance was thriving in 1812, Caka year (ad 1890). At very performance of a religious ceremony or wali at Besakih Temple, the inhabitants of Padang Aji Hamlet are responsible for staging this Gambuh Dance,” he said.
History accounted that the predecessors of Padang Aji Hamlet’s inhabitants was pengiring (pursuivant, ritual performer) at Besakih Temple. This was initiated by the son of the hamlet’s chief Ida Empu Sidhi Mantra namely Ida Manik Angkeran who was designated by Ida Betara Naga Basukihan to preserve the religious ceremony at Besakih Temple. Finally, every carrying out of religious rituals at Besakih Temple, the Gambuh Dance of Padang Aji is always performed there. This dance remains to be inherited by the people of Padang Aji up to now.
I Gusti Made Rai added that formerly the Gambuh Dance was performed on religious rituals at the palace of Karangasem Kingdom. At Padang Aji Hamlet, the presentation of Gambuh Dance is carried out on Petirtan Kapat, or the temple festival held on the fourth full moon based on the Balinese almanac (around October), Nyungsung Kesanga, Puranama Kedasa and Jiesta. Therefore, this Gambuh Dance is presented at least four times a year.
Generally, 20 personnel perform the Dance. This number could be more or less, depending on the storyline appointed. It usually selects the storyline of romantic poems like the adventure of the handsome Prince Panji Malat Rasmin. Other stories are Calonarang, the King Prabu Bang and Cupak Gerantang. They are usually performed in the afternoon or the evening.
Prior to making a presentation, there is an initiation ritual led by a religious figure by offering some oblations and the slaughter of black chickens. It aims at requesting to the Ida Hyang Widhi, or the Supreme Being in order that they would not find any difficulties or undesired experiences during the presentation. Other requirements are the dancers are not in sebel conditions, like due to family mourning, menstrual or post-natal period and so forth. Other than making presentations at temples, the Gambuh Dance is also frequently staged at Hotel Tirta Sari, Karangasem. The spectators are usually guests who join the meditation program.
The Gambuh Dance of Padang Aji is one primeval dance. This can be seen in terms of their headdresses that are still authentic and over hundreds of years old. In general, the Gambuh dancers are very young. “This is one regeneration efforts. If one is good at dancing this Gambuh, automatically she will not find it difficult to perform Balinese dances. The basic of all Balinese dances lays on this Gambuh Dance,” Made Rai added.
(BTN/033)