Janger Dance: Balinese Youth Dance Tradition

Prior to the great increase of tourists that came to Bali, the Balinese people’s main sources of income were farming and fishing. Those living on higher ground were cultivating crops, while those near the coastlines were doing both farming and fishing. Working on the rice fields or in the sea was also a way to spend time with friends and relatives. Lots of musical compositions and dances were created while they were taking a break, eating the food that was brought from home.

Janger Dance is a traditional dance that is still performed today. Certain choreographers have incorporated a modern element to make the dance relatable to today’s trends, yet the essence of the dance still remains. It is a type of social dance that is performed by a group of boys and a group of girls. This dance consists of singing, dancing, and an interlude of flirtatious movements. Usually, it narrates a love story, but at times, it also incorporates significant social messages into the lyrics.

History of Janger Dance

This art form is relatively new, believed to have emerged in the 1930s. It’s a blend of male and female dancers, complete with a single Dag dancer, as described by Walter Spies and Beryl de Zoete (2002 [1938] Dance and Drama in Bali). Janger is one of the traditional Balinese Dances that has been regularly performed on stage.  This Dance has simple movement but is full of joy. The Janger dance, originating in the 1930s in Bali, features a background of gamelan or gender wayang instruments, and it involves the participation of ten pairs of young men and women who perform the dance.

The Balinese language dictionary defines ‘janger’ as a dance where two rows of young men and two rows of young women sit opposite each other, with a ‘dag’ dancer in the middle. They dance and sing in a call-and-response style, moving their hands and bodies left and right while sitting. More specifically, ‘janger’ refers to the female dancers in the ‘janger’ dance. The term ‘jangeran’ is used for a motion (of a chicken) that shakes its head back and forth as if it were sick. The headdress of a ‘janger’ dancer, styled like a rooster’s comb and featuring repetitive nodding movements, expresses joy and resembles a drunken chicken moving its head.

This developed into a dance and became a means to meet young men from other villages. The dance is formed in a square, accompanied by the geguntangan orchestra. The young men sit cross-legged performing intricate hand movements derived from the Pencak silat (the traditional martial art) movements.

The young women would kneel, singing the Janger song while making weaving patterns with their arms and hands. Janger falls into the category of Bali-balihan dance, which people perform to entertain or add vibrancy to ceremonies.

Uniqueness of Janger Dance

The Janger dance is a mesmerizing traditional dance from Bali, Indonesia, celebrated for blending music, choreography, and cultural storytelling. Unique for its equal participation from both male and female dancers, grouped as ‘Kesiman’ and ‘Janger’. These dancers mirror each other’s movements, showcasing coordination and grace.

A distinctive feature of the Janger dance is the incorporation of singing by the dancers themselves. Female dancers perform a chorus called ‘Kecak’, derived from the monkey chant in Balinese rituals, while male dancers reply with robust chants, creating a dynamic vocal interplay that enhances the dance.

The choreography contrasts the delicate, graceful movements of the women with the more vigorous gestures of the men, making the dance visually striking and deeply expressive. These movements often convey cultural narratives and emotions, turning the performance into a profound emotional journey.

Moreover, Janger often explores themes from social issues to romantic tales, making it a powerful medium for storytelling and cultural commentary. This transforms the dance from mere entertainment into an impactful form of cultural expression.

Watch Janger Dance in Ubud

Janger Dance is one of many dances performed in Ubud, Bali. Ubud has been very popular for being the capital of art in Bali, Indonesia even in the world. Many tourists visit Ubud from various different countries simply attracted by the uniquely enchanting arts and cultures that Ubud has which they cannot find anywhere else. This culture and arts have a daily impact on life in Ubud, evident in offerings, artworks, food, as well as traditional performances like dances, traditional dramas, songs, and more.Those things are the Ubud’s valuable treasures to have and indeed what brings life to Ubud.

The young generations in Ubud have actively preserved and maintained the dancing performances that have made the region famous. They regularly organize shows in Ubud Palace and Peliatan Palace. In Peliatan, which is a part of Ubud, traditional dances frequently take place on various stages. One well-known example is the Balerung Stage, where people frequently host Balinese Dancing Performances to preserve these cultural heritages.

Final Words

If you wish to watch this dancing performance, you can either come to Peliatan Ubud for the classical Peliatan style or contact us when you’re in Ubud or anywhere else in Bali, you can find and watch this dance, each with its unique style and variation. Watch the Janger Dance easily by staying near Ubud. Find a private villa to experience the Ubud’s harmony. Take a look at Ubud Villas Rental by Red Lotus Property.