The Charm of Grebeg Sabrang Dance Enthralls I-YES 2024 Participants at Mpu Purwa Museum

HUMANIORA – (September 11, 2024) The second day of the International Youth Enhancing Study (I-YES) 2024 program at the Faculty of Humanities, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, was enlivened by the Cultural Class: Folk Dance session on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. In this session, participants explored one of Indonesia’s cultural treasures, the Grebeg Sabrang Dance. The activity took place at the Mpu Purwa Museum, a historical site located in Mojolangu, Lowokwaru, Malang City.

The museum is renowned for its collection of cultural heritage items, including statues and other historical relics, making it a perfect backdrop for exploring Malang’s local culture. The Grebeg Sabrang Dance itself holds deep philosophical meaning, depicting the Javanese army's resistance to foreign invaders, while also incorporating elements of humor in its movements.

The event was led by Malang City Cultural Ambassadors, Sella Nur Jannah, Albany Pasya, and Muhammad Ifan. With great enthusiasm, they introduced the participants—who hailed from various countries—to the basic movements of the dance. Communicating in an engaging style, they explained that the dance is not just an art form but a medium for understanding the history of Malang's struggles.

“The Grebeg Sabrang Dance represents the Javanese army’s resistance to enemies from foreign lands. This dance is unique because it requires collaboration from many dancers; it cannot be performed by just one or two people. The dancers also wear red masks, symbolizing bravery,” explained Sella Nur Jannah to the participants.

During the practice session, participants were divided into four groups and given the chance to try the basic moves of the Grebeg Sabrang Dance. Each group performed their own version with high energy and enthusiasm. This activity not only introduced participants to traditional dance but also strengthened the bonds among participants from different cultural backgrounds.

One participant, Rozieq, shared his excitement about the session. "It was so much fun! This activity brought together students from different countries to learn about traditional Indonesian dances. It was a truly memorable experience for me."

After the dance session, participants were given the opportunity to explore Mpu Purwa Museum, where they had been practicing. The museum provided an educational space for the participants while also connecting them to local history. The museum’s name, derived from the Buddhist figure Mpu Purwa, the father of Kendedes, further enriched the participants' knowledge of Malang's cultural heritage.

With dance and history presented in a single session, this event emphasized the importance of preserving local culture in the face of globalization. The Grebeg Sabrang Dance, with all its philosophical values, is not just an entertaining art form but also a bridge that connects young people from different nations with the history and traditions of Indonesia.

This event is an essential part of the Faculty of Humanities’ efforts at UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang to introduce Indonesia’s cultural richness to the world through international platforms like I-YES. In this way, each participant is expected to take home not only memories but also new insights into the richness of Indonesia’s cultural heritage. [r/y]