02/28/2015 8:00pm – 9:30pm
Asia Society
725 Park Avenue, New York, NY
Aceh (Sumatra, Indonesia) is renowned for its exuberant performances combining text, poetry, dance, and movement with a distinct flavor that reflects local culture as well as a strong Islamic influence.
One of the hallmarks of Acehnese dance is a form of body percussion in which various rhythms are created by slapping the body or clapping. One form — saman — is done in a tight line, shoulder-to-shoulder, becoming almost a singular-being moving at split-second speed. The form is not only entertaining but also has an educational side which reflects the morals and teachings of the community.
This is a rare opportunity to see an all-female group from Syiah Kuala University, located in Banda Aceh, the capital of the Aceh province on the western Indonesian island of Sumatra.
For more information, please visit
http://asiasociety.org/new-york/events/aceh-dance-0