Sanghyang
Encyclopedia
Sanghyang is a sacred Balinese dance, based on the idea that a force enters the body of an entranced
performer. The force, identified as hyang
, is important spiritual entities in ancient Indonesian
mythology. Sanghyang dedari is a dance
performed by pre-pubescent girls, similar in some ways to the Legong
dance. Often the girls are carried on the shoulders of men, and trance is associated with this ritual
. Sanghyang jaran is a dance performed by boys who ride coconut palm hobbyhorses (Kuda Lumping
) in and around a fire. Trance is also associated with this ritual.
The sanghyang dances are considered sacred ritual dances that should be performed only in Hindu Balinese religious events, never merely to entertain tourists.
Trance
Trance denotes a variety of processes, ecstasy, techniques, modalities and states of mind, awareness and consciousness. Trance states may occur involuntarily and unbidden.The term trance may be associated with meditation, magic, flow, and prayer...
performer. The force, identified as hyang
Hyang
Hyang is an unseen spiritual entity that has supernatural power in ancient Indonesian mythology. This spirit can be either divine or ancestral. The reverence for this spiritual entity can be found in Sunda Wiwitan, Kejawen, and Balinese Hinduism. In modern Indonesian this term tends to be...
, is important spiritual entities in ancient Indonesian
Culture of Indonesia
Indonesian culture has been shaped by long interaction between original indigenous customs and multiple foreign influences. Indonesia is central along ancient trading routes between the Far East and the Middle East, resulting in many cultural practices being strongly influenced by a multitude of...
mythology. Sanghyang dedari is a dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
performed by pre-pubescent girls, similar in some ways to the Legong
Legong
Legong is a form of Balinese dance. It is a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions....
dance. Often the girls are carried on the shoulders of men, and trance is associated with this ritual
Ritual
A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. It may be prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. The term usually excludes actions which are arbitrarily chosen by the performers....
. Sanghyang jaran is a dance performed by boys who ride coconut palm hobbyhorses (Kuda Lumping
Kuda Lumping
Kuda Lumping is a traditional Javanese dance depicting a group of horsemen. Dancers "ride" horses made from woven bamboo and decorated with colorful paints and cloth. Generally, the dance portrays troops riding horses, but another type of Kuda Lumping performance also incorporates trances and...
) in and around a fire. Trance is also associated with this ritual.
The sanghyang dances are considered sacred ritual dances that should be performed only in Hindu Balinese religious events, never merely to entertain tourists.