Dance Literacy within Sholawatan Emprak Mbangkel Yogyakarta

Abstract

: In this paper, we focus our attention to dance literacy as demonstrated by the dancers of Sholawatan Emprak in Mbangkel Yogyakarta; how the transfer of knowledge about Emprak dance took place and how the dancers practiced the knowledge into dancing. Their articulation as well as the observation upon the trainings in October – December 2018 would be the utmost significant ethnographic data of this article in order to extend the pathways of their bodily experiences. Field notes and documentation were also collected during this research. As observed, no one took either a formal study in dance or any private dance courses. They acquired the dance understanding via oral transmission from the leading dancer whom is a 77-year old man whilst the bodily practices were produced from how they imitated the leader. Furthermore, the aesthetic qualities were not so much into their consideration due to undemanding attitude upon a stage performance. Nevertheless, these villagers managed to do regular practices and showcase their ability in doing Emprak dance including in the Yogyakarta Provincial Office of Cultural Affairs. As they stayed unique in their ways learning Emprak dance, they acknowledged themselves that they were dancers. Such phenomenon has, we believe, contributed to the world of dance that dance literacy could be achieved outside the formality as in schools.