Serimpi Dance, The Java Classic Dance

Serimpi Dance - Central Java

Serimpi Dance
Serimpi traditional dance is typical classic dance originating from Royal palace of Yogyakarta. It is classic, because it was first performed in 12th Century. This dance was created by Pakubuwono IV, who was the leader of Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace, that symbolizing the death moment.
The name of Serimpi was originating called as Srimpi Sangopati, which means King replacement candidate. Like any other Java dance, this Serimpi dance is also performed by gamelan music, which are the Javanese traditional instruments.
This dance is having 45-60 minutes duration. Looking at the theme of the dance, Serimpi is having mystical nuance and gentle movements in every step. This classic dance is performed by four women, or five at the most. This formation is having purpose to fill the symbol behind the philosophy. The word Srimpi is deriving from the word Four. It symbolizes the four elements in the world, which is fire or Grama, wind, water or Toya and earth, based on Javanese belief. Hence, each of the dancers are carry and perform those each elements.