Caption: Photo collage (dancer photo is courtesy of my friend, Lani)
As one of the dancers from Sanggar Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Indonesian Traditional Dance Group, I would like to share my pride with you for our group to be able to participate in honoring the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month for the Asian country, Indonesia. My colleague performed the “Giring-Giring” dance from Central Borneo or specifically from the Dayak Maanyan tribe.
Giring-Giring dance is an expression of joy and a sense of love. Usually, the Giring-Giring dance is performed to welcome special guests. Sometimes, it is even used as a social dance for young people in Borneo (Kalimantan).
The members of the group are diverse from College Grad Students, members of the Indonesian community living in Michigan, exchange students, and some members from the Fulbright program. We live far from each other and our schedules are also different. It makes it difficult to get together for practice but we will find ways to make it happen to practice faithfully when there is an event. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika means “unity in diversity”. The concept behind this group is to conserve and bring attention to the world about the classical dances from Indonesian culture and to generate a sense of appreciation of the aesthetics of the visual arts and beauties of Indonesia.
Special thank you to Lani, Tri, and Ina (dancers) for representing Bhinneka Tunggal Ika in this wonderful opportunity! To learn more about our dance group, please check [here]
In celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, Detroit Institutes of Arts (DIA) invites everyone to celebrate it from home with a whole month of online programs. There are film, art talks, dance, music, puppets, and more from many Asian cultures, a blend of traditional and contemporary artistry: Indonesia, India, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Detroit DIA is one of the highlighted art museums in the US, it has over 100 galleries. Its collection is considered among the top 6 museums in the country which range from ancient European and Egyptian to contemporary art.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) 2021 program series conducted its opening ceremony on May 1st and it will run until May 29. Most videos are available to be viewed on DIA YouTube Channel playlist “APAHM2021” till May 30th. Link to a whole month APAHM2021 program can be found here and enjoy the programs.
Our Giring-Giring dance will be performed during the closing ceremony on Saturday, May 29th @12 p.m.
Find It Every Dream - APAHM Closing Performance. There are many interesting programs to watch from :
- Weaving the Thread, Morin Khuur Center of North America, ArtLab J, Michigan Tai Chi Center, Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group and Spinnovation Detroit.
- Kotojishi, The Dancing Lion, Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group
- Ongkor Festival, Michigan Chinese Folk Dancing Group
- Giring-Giring Dance, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Dance Group
- Dunhuang, Sunshine Teen Chinese Dance Group
- Where East Meets West, Mathangi Dance Company (from the South Indian States)
Please check here for info on the closing ceremony
Most programs will be available to view on the DIA’s YouTube Channel. Live programs can be viewed on DIA’s YouTube channel or Facebook page. Follow links for instructions to view films (some require ticketing).
Thanks for reading my post, please tag your friend from Indonesia, India, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam and spread the word.
Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!!!
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