The majestic sound of traditional Balinese gamelan instruments and the dancers who performed gracefully captivated the President. “Amazing, splendid, wonderful,” he said.

Other world’s leaders who will attend the G20 Summit in Bali on November 15-16, 2022 were also greeted by Pendet dancers. Holding silver bowl full of flowers and janur (young coconut leaves) on their right hands, the dancers who appeared beautiful with gorgeous floral long braid hairstyle and Balinese multicolor traditional fabric representing grace, performed Pendet Dance as a custom to welcome guests in Bali, the Island of the Gods.

Balinese artist and cultural scholar Professor I Wayan Dibia explained that Pendet Dance performed to welcome guests in Bali contains the value of respect of the Balinese people towards their guests.

“The dance reflects how the Balinese and Indonesian people respect their guests. Pendet Dance has become a performing dance for entertainment. So, no religious values or traditions are violated,” Dibia told the G20 Communications and Media Team on Monday, November 14, 2022.

Pendet Dance was originally a sacred dance which became a part of the life of the Hindu community in Bali and also a part of the piodalan ceremony at the temple or family sanctuary. This ceremony is a manifestation of gratitude, respect, and joy to welcome the gods who descend to earth. Etymologically, the word “mendet” comes from “mendak” (to welcome). From this ritual, the Pendet Dance was born.

Pendet Dance was developed from ‘Pendet Dewa’ ritual dance created by I Wayan Rindi. The dance was later developed by Ni Ketut Reneng in 1950. At that time, the dance was performed with four dancers. Later in 1961, I Wayan Beratha refined it by adding the number of dancers to five. To greet heads of states, Pendet Dance is performed by dozens of dancers.

Moving with the times, artists then developed a dance that originally only functioned as a ceremonial dance into an entertainment dance which is performed as a welcoming dance or a dance to welcome guests.

According to Dibia, every dance movement that was developed more than 70 years old ago implies a message of togetherness and unity. The dance shows no individual expression, but group expression which underscores the importance of the sense of togetherness.

"Through the art, we are hoping to imprint the importance of togetherness in facing the current world conditions to the world’s leaders. Therefore, this dance is really suitable to be performed to welcome G20 delegates. That's the mission for all heads of state to join hands to think about the world’s conditions without discrimination," he said.

Dibia expressed three hopes for the G20 Summit. First, the performance of Pendet Dance will show the world that Indonesia is the creator of this dance. Second, the use of Pendet Dance in the welcoming ceremony gives a very strong Balinese aesthetic touch. Third, the Balinese people want to convey Balinese forms of creativity and traditional value through the dance.

He added that Pendet Dance performance to greet guests was inspired by a ceremonial dance. Thus, it is of the similar name. However, there is a difference between the Pendet Dance for ceremony and the welcoming Pendet Dance. In the welcoming Pendet Dance (pendet puja astuti) the choreography is more formal and the movement is firmer.

On the other hand, the movements and properties of the Pendet dance for ceremonies are much simpler. “For the ceremony, the dancers bring offerings. Meanwhile, in the welcoming dance, the dancers will throw flowers as a welcome greeting to the guests, " Dibia explained.

As for dancing properties, both dances use janur. In ceremonial Pendet Dance, janur is a part of the offerings, while in welcoming dance, janur is only used for a decoration.

“In term of costume, dancers wear yellow-red scarves as a symbol of respect. In the dance routine, both hands clasped in front of (the chest) is also a symbol of respect,” he concluded.

About #G20Updates:

G20 Updates consists of routine press conferences, press releases, infographics and videos produced by the G20 Communications and Media Team. It is aimed at providing comprehensive information regarding preparations and issues related to the G20 Summit held in Bali, Indonesia on November 15-16, 2022.

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