Caci Dance Performance, A Unique Tradition for War Exercises
Caci Dance Performance- The women beat traditional musical instruments, while men dance to the rhythm. The men are dancers of caci. It is a dance of war and folk games. You will see a pair of male dancers who fight using whips and shields. Where can you watch that unique show?
When is The Caci Dance Performed?
You can see the special show in Dusun Melo, Desa Liangdara, Kecamatan Mbeliling, Kabupaten Manggarai, Nusa Tenggara Timur. They appear to tiptoe and play bells mounted on the back of their bodies. There are dancers armed with whips acting as an attacker and another survive by using a shield.
The dance is played during the harvest season celebration (hang woja), new year festivity (penti), land clearing ceremony and other traditional ceremonies. In addition, the dance is staged to welcome important guests. Caci dance was used as an exercise of war. The word Caci comes from the local language. The word “Ca” means one, while the word “Ci” means test. So, Caci can be interpreted as test for fight one on one.
Caci dance uses several properties such as shields from buffalo skins and whips from rattan. It begins with two dancers dancing and then they are in a position ready to attack. Every dancer should whip and hold with a shield. Do not get hit with the dancer’s body.
The Philosophy of Caci Dance
No one won or lost in the game. Caci or Larik is a fun and entertaining game, so it’s not a death fight. This is a martial art that is found almost in all areas in West Manggarai. Caci combines special dance, singing and technical skills in artistically attacking opponents.
This attraction illustrates sportsmanship, sacrifice and solidarity. It is the sublime philosophy of the Caci attraction. There are two players of abuse, attackers and challengers. Attackers should only hit the opponent’s body at the waist up and face. That’s why the challenger binds his head to prevent harmful wounds. If any injured players meant he was unlucky.
The dance is played when opening the shifting land. If a player was injured by a whip as a sign of fertile soil will give an abundant harvest. The attribute used by caci dancer has a unique philosophy. The three main attributes, namely the shield symbolizes the mother, the depressor represents the father and whip as a symbol of life experiment. Overall it has a philosophy that when a person gets a trial, then the father and mother are ready to take care of it.
Action of attacking each other using this whip is very exciting and fun. Tourists sometimes join shouting, because feel the spirit of the fighters. The dance will be preserved as a cultural identity of local residents. A studio is formed to preserve this unique tradition.
In addition, Melo residents also have a Kumpul Padi dance. It is an expression of gratitude for the harvest of coffee, candle nut, cocoa, salak and durian. It is danced by young couples. There is also a Rangkuk Alu dance, that is a dance to find a mate.
If you want to experience and see the caci dance performance in Manggarai, please kindly contact us to get more information.
