The Ronggeng Revival Project

The project consists of three components: Research, Documentation & Training. We see these three components as an all-encompassing approach because by bringing together historical contexts, contemporary endeavours and the application of revival, we are initiating and activating the necessary processes to make the revival activity a nuanced and achievable experience.

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Research

The research component includes working with ephemera, oral histories, films and materials to achieve the following understanding of Ronggeng practice in history:

1.  To understand the transition from Ronggeng as a village tradition and into urban entertainment parks and popular cosmopolitan culture

2.  To consolidate literature review of Ronggeng research in the Nusantara

3. To inculcate an understanding about the choreomusicological (interdependence of music & dance) dimensions in the practice of Ronggeng

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The latter will be most challenging considering how the Ronggeng was never compartmentalised as dance or music in past but a holistic art form on its own. The choreomusicological turn in studies of Southeast Asian performing arts has allowed for the feasibility of this pursuit.

Documentation

The documentation component of the project entails conducting activities to solicit feedback and ideas from different segments of the arts community as well as the intention to document the current pursuits of the revival.

1. To produce documentation of the focus-group discussions and dialogue sessions with team members with current traditional Malay dance musicians and dancers

2. To record preliminary findings that can help in creating pedagogical materials to train current musicians, singers and dancers

3. To gather feedback from these participants on how to make the teaching and learning of the Ronggeng more accessible and relevant

4. To expand into subsequent phases with the intention to raise awareness of this social practice as part of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).