History:
Janggay is a traditional Balinese dance of Bali origin, Indonesia, depicting a story of a brave warrior who goes to war and leaves behind his wife and child. The wife worries about her husband and becomes desperate. Then, the goddess of fate descended to earth transforming the wife into a tree. When the husband returned home, he saw the tree and mourned his wife's death. However, the voice of his wife echoed from the tree, telling him that she had become the tree. The husband was pleased to hear his wife's voice, and he embraced the tree.
Written Steps of Janggay Dance:
Preparatory Movements
1. Begin with a graceful walk, followed by a hand movement called "penyembrah."
2. Execute the "ngumbang" gesture, where both hands move outward resembling the flapping wings of a bird.
3. Perform the "ngisisig" gesture, featuring circular hand movements.
4. Enact the "ngeletuk" gesture, involving rapid back and forth hand movements.
5. Conclude the preparatory movements with the "ngigel tungkeng" posture, lowering the body with one knee on the ground.
Main Movements:
1. Initiate with the "mebarung," a sitting posture with the left leg extended forward and the right knee bent.
2. Transition into the "nyegjeg," a kneeling position with one leg extended behind and the other folded beneath.
3. Execute the "ngending," where the dancer sways and rotates their body while kneeling.
4. Perform the "ngecagcag," a squatting posture involving rhythmic hip movements.
5. Enact the "melikuk," featuring twisting and turning motions while squatting.
6. Conclude the main movements with the "ngigel sembah," a graceful standing posture with folded hands in salutation.
Transitional Movements
1. Start with a brisk walk called "mebebat."
2. Execute the "ngigel jangget" gesture, where the hands flutter near the face resembling a beard.
3. Perform the "ngigel payas" gesture, involving graceful hand movements.
4. Transition into the "ngigel tungkeng" gesture where the dancer lowers their body with one knee on the ground.
5. Complete the transition with the "ngesog" posture, bending the body forward with one foot planted firmly and the other lifted slightly behind.
Ending Movements:
1. Commence with the "melikuk" gesture, twisting and turning the body while kneeling.
2. Execute the "mebarung" gesture sitting posture with the left leg extended forward and the right knee bent.
3. Perform the "ngending" gesture, swaying and rotating the body while kneeling.
4. Enact the "nyegjeg" posture kneeling with one leg extended behind and the other folded beneath.
5. Conclude the ending movements with the "mebebat," a fast walk indicating the end of the dance.