Maluku Dance

The Maluku Dance, also known as Tari Gaba-Gaba, is a very energetic dance which requires good coordination and teamwork amongst the dancers and our performers have certainly proved that so!  

The dancers are excited to begin!

 

Their smiling faces quickly turning into intense looks of focus

The dance, originating from Maluku in the eastern region of Indonesia, uses bamboo poles to set the rhythm and form the basis of the dance. The dancers all have to work together in sync to avoid getting caught by the bamboo poles, which alternate between closing and opening according to the fast and catchy music. It looks deceivingly easy but our dancers found it challenging and requiring stamina on top of a high level of coordination.

These two dancers certainly impressed when they confidently danced through all 9 grids the bamboo sticks created.

 

Do not be deceived by how serious they look in practice - the dancers all enjoyed the dance steps, the costume and especially the interaction among themselves. 

 

 

Catch the performance again in this video!