VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Last July 1st, the Ja'i Dance Community in Watunggene Village, Kota Komba District, East Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara performed the Ja'i dance from the Ngada community. The dance was performed at the Waelengga Football Field. The dancers with typical traditional clothes of the Ngada people danced in front of the Komba City Head Office's house towards the Waelengga Football field. This dance was accompanied by the sound of drums and gongs.

Ja'i dance is performed as an expression of gratitude and joy from the community. This Ja'i dance is usually performed en masse by the Ngada tribal community. The more participants join the dance, the better it is. For the Ngada people, Ja'i dance also has a very important value of life, both in social and community life. This dance shows how the spirit of togetherness is always intertwined.

The musical instruments used to accompany the Ja'i dance are five gongs and three drums. The sound patterns and tempo, which are produced from these musical instruments, sound static and monotonous. Ja'i dance has been designated as one of Indonesia's intangible cultural heritage since 2021. Ja'i is the 30th intangible cultural heritage of East Nusa Tenggara which is designated at the national level.