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Photo credit: Nias Heritage Museum

Maena dance is a traditional dance of Nias tribe. This dance is performed as part of the traditional ceremonies of the Nias tribe, such as welcoming guests, weddings and others.

Maena is an entertainment dance. For Nias tribe, this dance has a special meaning, such as for unity and togetherness. This can be seen from how they dance and do it together with great joy.

Maena dance is performed en masse. The dancers can be male or female. The more dancers, the more lively the dance. Dancers usually wear traditional Nias clothing. However, the use of this costume is also adjusted to the event, so there are also those who use casual clothing. Since Maena Dance is a dance of joy, the audience who do not wear traditional clothing are also allowed to join dancing.

Maena Dance performances are basically only accompanied by songs or poems, which are chanted by the dancers. Then the dancers dance with movements that are adjusted to the tempo or rhythm of the song. But there are also some Maena dance performances that are accompanied by traditional Nias musical instruments to make it look more festive and interesting.

Maena Dance performances usually begins with rhymes performed by Sanutuo Maena (traditional elders or tribal elders). The rhymes are usually adjusted to the theme of the event. Then proceed with the Maena lyrics (fanehe maena) which are chanted by all dancers while dancing.

The movements in Maena Dance are actually quite simple and repetitive. The movements are dominated by a combination of hand and foot movements that are moved rhythmically back and forth, as well as left and right.

Maena dance movements consist of Maena Gaolo or forming a circle, and also a rectangle with footsteps consisting of Maena Garagazi (Maena Gergaji) whose footsteps go forward then backward. There is also a movement with a triangular shape. But what is often used, is the movement of footsteps with a rectangular shape.