Melinting Dance, Traditional Dances From Lampung



Melinting Dance is one of the traditional dance that comes from Melinting, District of Labuhan Meringgai, East Lampung Regency, Lampung Province. The art of dance is considered as one of the classical arts because this dance has existed since the entry of Islam in the archipelago.

History of the emergence of this melinting dance is believed to come from the word meninting, which has the meaning of bringing. The word meninting also appears along with the entry of Islamic teachings in the archipelago, so it can be concluded that this Meninting can mean carrying the mission of Islam.

In addition to meaningful carrying Islamic mission, Melinting Dance is also believed to be made by Ratu Melinting. Queen Melinting is a queen who leads in an area named Melinting. In ancient times, the father of Prince Panembahan Mas who holds Minak Kejala Biddin and also his brother, Minak Kejala Ratu asked for help to his father, namely Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin who was still in Banten Province. They ask for help because their area often happens robbery. Sultan Banten then finally send "Petunggu Batang", which is in the form of teak seed, Melaka seedlings, white head birds, and also katang-katang. Unexpectedly, these rolling stems grow on the sidelines of the teak tree. So from then on, the area was then called Melinting.

Melinting dance is originally a sacred dance because this dance is made by Queen Melinting. But along with the times, this melinting dance is allowed to be danced by the general public. Unfortunately, this melinting dance is not widely known, either by the people of Lampung and the people of Indonesia generally.