The Awadhana front page at the Manohara Hotel, Magelang, exploded with religious spirit when the Saleum Aceh Community delivered rapai geleng at the opening of the 2018 Borobudur Writers and Cultural Festival on Friday, November 23, 2018.
Poetry with praise to Allah and Prophet Muhammad echoed to every corner combined with rhythmic beat of rapai. Visitors postpone drinking coffee and tea in order to capture the attractions of young Acehnese in the form of photos and videos.
Rapai geleng is one of the traditional dances that was born and developed in Aceh. Although better known in the West and South Aceh region, the Rapai Geleng dance group also developed in various areas of Aceh.
When I photographed young dancers reaching out and talking in Acehnese, they were immediately shocked. A dancer, Ikhsanuddin from Sabang, asked my origin. We also exchanged contact numbers.
Based on the program book distributed to participants, the Saleum Aceh Community was established on February 5, 2005 at the Indonesian Islamic University (UIN) Ar - Raniry, Banda Aceh. Saleum Group has released an album in December 2005 and has performed in various cities in Indonesia. Their commitment is to care for the existence of Acehnese dance.[]
Penampilan Memukau Komunitas Saleum Aceh: Borobudur Writers and Cultural Festival 2018
Halaman depan Awadhana di Hotel Manohara, Magelang, meledak dengan spirit religius ketika Komunitas Saleum Aceh membawakan rapai geleng pada pembukaan kegiatan hari kedua Borobudur Writers and Cultural Festival 2018 pada Jumat, 23 November 2018.
Syair dengan puja-puji kepada Allah dan Nabi Muhammad SAW menggema ke setiap sudut dipadukan dengan tabuhan rapai berirama ritmis. Para pengunjung menunda minum kopi dan teh agar bisa mengabadikan atraksi anak-anak muda Aceh itu dalam bentuk foto dan video.
Rapai geleng merupakan salah satu tarian tradisional yang lahir dan berkembang di Aceh. Meski lebih dikenal di wilayah Aceh Barat dan Selatan, grup tari rapai geleng juga berkembang di berbagai wilayah Aceh.
Ketika saya memotret anak muda penari rapai geleng dan bicara dalam bahasa Aceh, mereka langsung terkejut. Seorang penari, Ikhsanuddin dari Sabang, bertanya asal saya. Kami pun bertukar nomor kontak.
Berdasarkan buku program yang dibagikan kepada peserta, Komunitas Saleum didirikan pada 5 Februari 2005 di Universitas Islam Indonesia (UIN) Ar - Raniry, Banda Aceh. Saleum Group sudah merilis album pada Desember 2005 dan sudah tampil di berbagai kota di Indonesia. Komitmen mereka adalah merawat eksistensi seni tari Aceh.[]