Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c20.s3.87

v2.c20.s3.87

Dancing has always been a very popular entertainment in Java. It is referred to in various inscriptions, and sometimes even princesses are described as proficient in the art of dancing. Of the various kinds of modern Javanese dance both by men and women of different classes of society, a detailed and interesting description has been given by Raffles¹. It consists in "graceful attitudes of the body and in the slow movement of the arms and legs, particularly of the former, even to the distinct motion of the hand and fingers." In addition to the common dancing girls of the country, concubines of the sovereign, the hereditary princes, and of the nobles practise the art in public. As regards the concubines of princes Raffles remarks: "Their body and limbs are by slow movements thrown into every graceful attitude that the most flexible form is capable of exhibiting." The same author adds: "The nobles of the highest rank are accustomed, on particular occasions of festivity, to join in the dance with a common dancing girl. To dance gracefully is an accomplishment in every Javan of rank."