Saman Dance

Saman dance is a tribal dance Gayo commonly displayed to celebrate important events in mores. Poem in dance saman use Arabic and Gayo language. This dance is also displayed to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW. in some literature mentions saman dance in Aceh was founded and developed by Sheikh Saman, a cleric who comes from the Gayo in southeast Aceh.

Saman dance played by a dozen men and women, but the numbers must be odd. Another opinion says this dance is danced more or less than 10 people, with details of the eight dancers and 2 as cue givers while singing. However, in the development of the modern era, which requires that a dance would be more lively when danced by a dancer with higher numbers. To adjust the various movements instituted a leader who called sheikh. In addition to regulate the movement of the dancers, Sheikh is also tasked to sing hymns saman song. namely ganit.

This dance reflects the educational, religious, good manners, heroism, solidarity and togetherness. players consist of men and women who are still young by wearing traditional clothes.

Saman dance usually displayed not use the accompaniment of musical instruments, but using the voice of the dancers and dancers applause that is usually combined with a pat of the hand to the chest and groin dancers as synchronization and threw the body in different directions. Because of the uniformity of formation and punctuality is a must in these dances, then the dancers are required to have a high concentration and a serious exercise in order to appear perfectly.

Saman dance will soon be recognized by UNESCO as cultural heritage, which is recognized is the original version which originated and developed in the Gayo, who danced by men. Indeed, in its development saman dance was adopted and developed, but still the original that have been registered to UNESCO. The plan, saman dance will be recognized and affirmed by the UNESCO as world cultural heritage in November 2011.