Cakalele dance
Indonesian traditional war dance
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cakalele dance (pronounced "cha-ka-leh-leh", spelled tjakalele by the Dutch) is a war dance from the Maluku Islands in Indonesia.[1] Hybrid versions also exist among the natives of Sulawesi (Kabasaran or Sakalele dance of the Minahasan),[2] East Nusa Tenggara (Abui Cakalele from Alor),[3] the Tanimbar Islands,[citation needed] and Fakfak (Mbaham-Matta Cakalele Mbreh).[4] The dance is performed by men, two of whom represent opposing captains or leaders while the others are the warriors supporting them. After an opening ritual, the captains engage in a mock-duel with a spear (sanokat) and a long parang (lopu) while their supporters use a lopu in the right hand and a long shield in the left hand.[5] The shield is referred to as a salawaku, or by a local name such as the Tobelo o dadatoko.[6] The cakalele originated as a way for the warriors to celebrate after a successful raid. Dancers dress in full warrior costume and are backed by the rhythm of the drum (tifa), gong, and fife (suling).
Cakalele dance performance | |
| Native name | Tari cakalele |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Eastern Indonesia |
| Origin | Indonesia |
