Get to know Minangkabau Plate Dance more closely

Indonesia is a country that is very rich in culture. Traditional dances from Indonesia are also very numerous, and each traditional dance has its own meaning and characteristics. The Plate Dance of the Minangkabau is one of the most unique and worldwide dances. As the name implies, this dance uses a plate as a medium of attraction.

The dancers danced swiftly while playing plates in their palms, without making the plates fall. The interesting thing from the dance is that the movements used are taken from the typical Minangkabau martial arts movements which can be called silek. This dance is often used by the Indonesian tourism ministry to popularize Indonesian culture.

The Origins of Plate Dance

Piring Dance is a traditional dance originating from the Solok area, West Sumatra. This dance was originally performed as a ritual to express gratitude to the deities or beliefs of the local community. Gratitude is expressed because it gets an abundant harvest. Formerly the dance used a plate in which there was offerings, and dance movements were made as dynamic as possible.

Then the dance underwent a change after the influence of Islam began to be known by the Minangkabau people. After the local people embraced the Islamic faith, the dance was performed no longer for the ritual of giving thanks to the god, but as entertainment for the local community. At present this dance is used more to welcome guests on certain occasions.

Movement on Plate Dance

In general, plate dance performances are done by placing two plates in the palm of the hand, and then the puller will make quick movements, without making both plates fall. Every now and then both plates will be important to make a sound from the plate. At the end of the dance, the dancer will drop the plate until it breaks, and the dancers continue to dance on the broken plate.

Usually the number of dancers when performing attractions is always odd. It can be 5 people, 7 people, or also 3 people. The dancers, dancing to the music of “Talempong” and “Saluang” typical of the Minangkabau. The music starts slowly first, and the longer the tempo of the music the faster. Plate Dance is one of the Minangkabau cultural traditions that is already very popular.

The creator of Plate Dance

Plate Dance itself was created by an artist from Minangkabau named Huriah Adam. Huriah Adam is a very productive artist because she creates many unique movements from Minangkabau traditional dance. He was born in the city of Padang Panjang, West Sumatra on October 6, 1936.

Unfortunately Huriah Adam died at the age of 35 in a plane crash on Katang – katang Island, Pesisir Selatan, West Sumatra. Huriah Adam also has other talents besides dancing. He is known to be good at painting and sculpting. One of his most famous sculptures is the “Unknown Heroes Monument” in Bukittinggi. That’s a glimpse of plate dance.