Dance Selampit Eight, Traditional Dance From Jambi
Dance Selampit Eight is a traditional dance from Jambi. This dance is a representation of the association of the young men in Jambi. This dance has a very important value in tying the association. Eight cloth selampit which also consists of various colors became a symbol of social intercourse among young Jambi. This dance is performed by 8 (eight) dancers (four pairs of dancers) each holding one piece of the cockpit. The youths then move across the crossword and knit their selampit. Then selampit become a rope that is arranged into various colors. It is this choreography that symbolizes unity among Jambi youths shown.
In its historicity, this eighth-tier dance was first introduced by an employee of the Culture Service in Jambi Province in the 1970s, named M. Ceylon while still in charge of the service. Although M. Ceylon is not the son of Jambi, his ability and talent in the field of dance have made this dance so well known in Jambi Province. The creation of this eight-dimensional dance is a form of immense love of art.
Ability to adapt to the local environment, making a man who was born in Padang Sidempuan, July 7, 1941, is so good so that the lives of young Jambi manifests can be manifested and represented into the movement of dance well too. His more grappling activities in the field of culture made him succeed in capturing an inner message from the society that was then processed into a work of art called Selampit Dance.
Along with the growth and popularity of this eight-part dance, the government of Jambi Province also set this dance as a typical dance from Jambi Province. Before using cloth selampit, initially in this dance is played by 8 (eight) people by using eight axes of the stove which then tied or hung on the attic. The name "Selampit Eight" is drawn from the eight strings used in the dance. Until now there has been no change of motion and the composition of the dance. Even if there is a change, the change does not change the essence of the dance, the changes that occur are usually only limited to the aesthetic fulfillment only.
The purpose of the first eighth-degree dance was introduced to tie social relationships among youth. The atmosphere of intimacy between the youth can be awakened well through this eight-piece dance. The compactness that values everyday life is reflected in every move in this dance. Eight young men who dance in this dance have a meaning in associating, that a good association must be based on faith, mutual respect, and behave wisely. Surely the view is inseparable from the philosophy of Jambi people who hold the firm life of the values of faith as a foundation in every association.
At first, the dancers will be squatting nil greeting the audience. This greeting is a form of tribute to the audience just before the start of the dance or the core movement is performed. This opening section is called the Opening Greeting.
After the opening greetings, the core movement is then performed. This core movement begins the dancers who take a Shawl or scarf. The initial configuration begins by forming a circle, then a rotating motion is performed. Scarves are then knitted slowly along with the dancer's turn. This movement is done by one by one with grace so that the scarf can coalesce into an aesthetic winding. After the shawl blends beautifully, then this dance movement is continued by opening knitted scarf. The movement was done exactly as in the initial movement when making knits. The position of the dancers then returns as early as, that is the circle after the knitted scarf in the process opened. The dancers then play the scarf with a regular motion and done until it is finished until the scarf back open as usual.
The colorful compositions in the sidewalks, make this dance so aesthetic, coupled with the composition of clothes worn by dancers. The various colors of this outfit are usually blue, yellow, red, and pink and with the same color scarf. These colors look aesthetically collaborated with a belt made of a typical Jambi Malay loom sarong that is woven from a silk embroidered in gold.
