Stop dancing like that! In Bali, it is forbidden to dance in a way they don’t like (5 photos + 1 video)

Namely, to make too inviting gestures when performing traditional Balinese dances. Joged Bumbung is a subspecies of traditional dance with revealing outfits and sensual movements that "lower the honor and dignity of the islands."





Half the beauty is in national costumes

What is Joged Bumbung

This is a dance that originated in the 1940s. But in recent years it has become increasingly popular, due to which it has received many different interpretations, readings and variations. And the most popular among tourists was the kind with lots of sexually provocative movements, of course.



Well, tourists are good too, that's what it is...

These performances attracted the most foreigners. Although joged bumbung is also danced at wedding ceremonies, public gatherings and major religious events.

Stop dancing like that!

Bali Governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya said that the provocative hip rotations "exploit" the human body and violate the rules of Balinese dance. Because Balinese dance is the logic, ethics and established aesthetics of the Hindu religion.





This is how dancing with tourists is SPECIFICALLY prohibited

That is why it is now prohibited not only to dance like this, but also to repost incorrect dances on social networks. You can dance the simple "old" joged bumbung from the 1940s, it is part of the culture. Even in 2015, UNESCO said so, making it an intangible cultural heritage.

Dances and informers

The thing is that they started to fight against excessive sexualization of dance ten years ago, establishing a set of "true" gestures of joged bumbung. But this did not help in any way not to dance incorrectly, if tourists like it better that way!

So this is the second and more severe stage of the fight against incorrect dances. And if someone somewhere dances such a dance for money or films it on video, any Balinese can... REPORT on this troupe or organization.



Sometimes even such a bright dance needs new interpretations

Although according to the law there is no form of punishment for such dancers yet, they can receive a reprimand or a ban on performing on official sites. As those who did not justify trust, apparently.

But if you uploaded a frivolous dance to the Internet, then there is a different law in effect and you will get it in full. Indonesia has a strict Internet law on disseminating the unacceptable. For this, the penalty is up to one year in prison.



It is danced at all celebrations, because the dance must "keep up appearances" in the opinion of the authorities

Of course, it is interesting to watch this, but the decision of the Bali authorities is quite stupid. They can issue a decree on what kind of dance should be at celebrations and venues, but they cannot dictate how to dance in clubs or on the stages of private hotels. This is simply an attempt to suppress the development of dance and the search for new forms.