Preparation:
1. Kneel on the Ground: Kneel on the ground with the knees bent and the body slightly leaning forward.
2. Arms Up: Extend your arms forward with your palms facing upwards, creating an open gesture.
Main Dance:
1. Side-to-Side Swaying: While maintaining the kneeling position, gently sway your body from side to side, keeping your torso upright. Follow the rhythm of the accompanying music.
2. Arm Raising and Lowering: As you sway, raise your arms up towards the sky and then slowly lower them. Your arms should move in sync with the side-to-side motion of your body.
3. Hands Rotation: With arms raised, rotate your wrists so that your palms alternately face the sky and the ground. This hand rotation adds a graceful element to the dance.
4. Hand Touch: Bring your palms together in front of your chest, keeping your elbows bent. Your hands should touch but not press against each other.
5. Head Nodding: While your hands are touching, nod your head slightly in rhythm with the music, showing a respectful and humble attitude.
6. Arm Cross and Swaying: After the head nodding, cross your arms in front of your chest, left over right. Continue the gentle side-to-side swaying motion of your body.
7. Arm Uncrossing and Swaying: Uncross your arms and return to the hand touching position. Resume the swaying motion.
8. Arm Rotation: With your arms raised and palms facing upwards, perform the hand rotation as before, switching between skyward and ground-facing palms.
9. Hands Down and Rising: Lower your arms down to your sides, then gracefully raise them back up towards the sky.
10. End Position: Conclude the sua-sua dance by kneeling on the ground, arms raised upwards with palms facing the sky. Let the music fade out as you maintain this final pose.
Variation: There are variations of the sua-sua dance performed in different regions of the Mentawai Islands, each with its unique style and interpretation. The basic steps outlined above provide a general overview of the sua-sua dance, and specific details may vary among different Mentawai communities.