VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

East Kalimantan is a province where Mahakam river flows. In this suburb of Mahakam river, a dance so-called ‘Jepen dance’ develops. It is a typical dance of East Kalimantan, developed by Kutai and Banjar tribe. The dance has various movements which are influenced by Islamic and Malay culture. Japen dance is one of the dances which describes Malay culture that is dynamic, attractive, energetic and graceful. The dance is usually danced by females. By the times, Jepen dance has many developments on which in its performance, Jepen dance consists of two types, namely Jepen Genjoh and Jepen Eroh dance. The Jepen Eroh dance is a creation dance of Jepen which does not leave its original movement, such as honor, waves, Satanic Samba or Samba Setangan, full Samba and Gengsot Anak. Eroh in Kutai language means crowded, boisterous and happy. While Jepen Genjoh Mahakam dance is one of creation dances of Jepen where most part of its movements are from Jepen dance, for example waves movement, half Samba, full Samba, swinging kid, Jalan Kenyak, Saluang Mudik, and Taktim movement. Generally, it can be said that Jepen Genjoh Mahakam dance is the one which describes Malay culture. In its performance, Jepen dance is accompanied with Tingkilan music. Tingkilan music is one of Kutai typical music. In the tingkilan music, the kinds of the instrument which are played are  Gambus or a string instrument, Ketipung or Gendang with small size, Kendang, and violin. Currently, the dance is accompanied with piano. Besides, it is also accompanied with song called ‘Bertingkilan’ which means to shout each other. The song is usually sung by two persons, which contains of religious advice and moral message. When performing the dance, Jepen dancers wear combined clothes of Malay and Indonesia, which is thick of Islamic nuance. With natural make up, the dancers are seen be well mannered and graceful. When dancing, the dancers are completed with shawls. In the past,  Jepen danced functioned as entertainment to crown king of Kutai Kartanegara sultanate in Tenggarong and as youth social dance. Thus, since 1970s, the dance has been used to welcome guests, wedding ceremony and for other great events.