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The Kecak (Monkey) Dance

Kecak at the Inspirasi Festival

The Kecak Dance Project was a joint project between the Gold Coast Balinese Community and members of Byron Shire Indonesian community and their friends and families. The project was created and presented by AIAA as part of the Inspirasi Festival and generously supported by Regional Arts NSW.

Bpk Nyoman Suma and Ibu Sri presented a free kecak workshop series at St Finbarrs Primary School, Byron Bay during June – July culminating in a fabulous performance in full costume at the Buddha Bar, Byron Arts Factory on 16 July as one of the highlights of the Festival. The workshops were attended by many of Byron’s Indonesian-Australian families and also visiting artists from Indonesia – Efen, Heri and Firman as well as local artists and friends such as Cornelia – visiting artist from Germany, friends from Japan and other places – a truly multicultural event.

The project was a wonderful success in bringing the communities of the Gold Coast and North Coast together to collaborate and share Balinese culture though learning the kecak chanting and movements. The main dance roles were performed beautifully by Balinese dancers from the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

The Kecak Dance – the concept as illucidated by Bpk Nyoman Suma.

Seperti bayangan bulan tampak pada belanga yang berisi air. Apa saja yang berisi air yang jernih pasti tampak rembulan disana. Padahal bulan itu hanya satu, tetapi bisa nampak dimana mana. Demikian juga Tuhan, ia hanya satu, tidak ada duanya, hanya manusia yang menyembut dengan banyak nama, ada yang menyembut God, Tuhan, Allah, Brahma. Meskipun ia hanya satu, ia bisa nampak dimana mana, ia ada pada diri kita asal diri kita bersih jerni, dan dengan melalukan yoga.

Tuhan itu ada dimana saja. Dia ada di bumi, ada disamudra, Dia ada diangkasa, juga dia ada didalam diri kita. Itulah disebut Atman. Tuhan itu Maha Kuasa, Dia yang menciptakan, dia yang menghidupkan, dan Dia pula yang melebur. Dan Tuhan itu adalah Absolut.

Translation

Like the reflection of the moon that appears in an earthen wear pot which is filled with water, whatever is filled with clear water will certainly reflect the moon. Even though there is only one moon, it can be seen everywhere.

God is also like that. God is the one and only, it is only humans that give God many names. There are those who call him God, Allah, Brahma or Tuhan. Even though there is only one, God can be seen everywhere. He is also within us as long as we are pure and clean and also by practicing yoga.

God is everywhere. God is in the earth, in the ocean, in the sky, and he is also within all of us. That is what we call SOUL. It is He who created, He who brought to life and it is He who also destroys………God is absolute!

Comments from the participants

An evaluation form was provided to participants in the Kecak project.

All participants who responded in the survey gave the project a rating of Good-3, Very Good-4 or Excellent-5, i n terms of benefit/success. All participants surveyed would like to participate in future Indonesian Cultural projects.

Some comments regarding the project included:

It was great to be part of this project and to have a personal experience of Indonesian cultural performance- very good for building a relationship between Australia and our nearest neighbours. - Dudley Leggett of Suffolk park

Very good, because many participants from different cultures can join in on the performance. - Firman Djamil of Makassar.

Really good!. Had a good time. - Jaemy Bamboo of Byron Bay.

Very enjoyable and challenging. Would like to hear the story behind the dancing. Sri and Nyoman very friendly. - Trish Ogden of Byron Bay.

Personally and Spiritually beneficial. A wonderful experience. - Miles Bennett of Mullumbimby.

Great projects and community interaction, excellent teachers and great food. Thanks. - John Lewis.

Great project and lots of fun. Over the weeks of practice I met some lovely people and learnt a little about Indonesian culture. Nice to be invoved with people from here and from Indonesia and also all ages together and sharing a meal after the practice.

It was lots of fun. Interesting, vibey, trancey. - Bunny Calero

It was good to put together after rehearsing. Pak Nyoman and Ibu Sri were extremely giving and enthusiastic. A great community project. - Dharmawan Bradridge.

Fantastic and exciting. - Wawan Prahara of Sunrise Beach.

The dancing was beautiful and the chanting mesmerising. I enjoyed very much seeing all the different kinds of faces and bodies, yet all doing the same thing. Lovely! - Gabrielle Griffin of Mullumbimby.

Inspiring - I would like to be in it next time. - Alexander McDonell of Tyagarah.

This project was made possible through a Quick Response Grant provided by Regional Arts NSW through the Regional Arts Fund, An Australian Government Initiative supporting the arts in regional, remote and very remote areas.