Saturday, September 27, 2025
No Result
View All Result
Indonesia Sentinel
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Economic
  • Culture
  • Tech & Science
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Economic
  • Culture
  • Tech & Science
No Result
View All Result
Indonesia Sentinel
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Culture

Lais: West Java’s Thrilling Traditional Acrobatic Performance, Balancing Culture and Courage

by Raidi
2025-08-16
in Culture
A A
Lais

Lais Traditional Acrobatic Performance (Doc Kemenpar)

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp
ADVERTISEMENT

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Lais, a centuries-old cultural tradition from West Java’s Priangan region, blends extreme acrobatics with the sounds of traditional Sundanese music. Originating in Garut, the centuries-old performance is believed to date back to the Dutch colonial era.

Considered a high-risk spectacle, Lais is performed without safety equipment as participants balancing on a rope stretched between two bamboo poles, each towering 10 to 13 meters high.

The performance features a single rope, known locally as dadung, about 9 meters long, tied between the bamboo poles A young male performer climbs the bamboo and moves gracefully across the rope, defying fear and gravity.

RelatedPosts

Coachella 2025: Over Half of Attendees Rely on Pay-Later to Afford Entry

Coachella 2025 Lineup Revealed: Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott to Headline

Therfore, before each show, the troupe often performs a ritual led by community elders to pray for safety and a smooth performance.

ADVERTISEMENT

The act is accompanied by a traditional music ensemble, typically made up of nine to 15 members. According to the Garut Department of Culture and Tourism, the Lais performance is accompanied by the rhythmic beat of dogdog drums, trumpets, kendang, and kempul gongs.

The traditon was also performed along with humorous dialogue delivered by a bodor, or comedian who interact with the rope performer.

Despite modern entertainment’s rise, Lais remains alive and sought after for weddings, festivals, and community celebrations. In some events, the Lais act is paired with the sisingaan tradition, a symbolic lion parade where local leaders ride a carved lion effigy through the crowd.

Read Also:

Bukit Barisan: Mountain Range in Sumatra Guarded by the Mysterious Orang Bunian

A study published in the Regeneration of Lais Art Acquisition journal by Padjadjaran University notes that the name “Lais” originates from Laisan, a coconut tree climber from Kampung Nangka Pait, Garut.

His exceptional climbing skills later evolved into a form of performance art after being adapted by local cultural figures. Since then, Lais has transformed into a full-fledged art performance, often showcased at major public events.

Despite its high risks, the Lais tradition continues to be preserved as part of Sundanese cultural identity. The performers, typically young boys, move nimbly along a rope high above the ground, displaying fearless agility and inherited skills passed down through generations.

Lais is not only a thrilling spectacle but also a testament to the resilience of traditional art in the face of modernization.

 

(Raidi/Agung)

Tags: AcrobaticIndonesia newsLaisSundaWest Java
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Tenun Weaving

Indonesia Proposes Tenun Weaving Tradition for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Recognition

2025-09-23

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesia is seeking UNESCO recognition for its Tenun weaving traditions as part of the Intangible Cultural...

Stop Sirens Movement

‘Stop Tot Tot Wuk Wuk’ Movement Went Viral as Indonesians Protest Officials’ Use of Sirens and Strobe Lights

2025-09-21

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel --  A social media movement dubbed “Stop Tot Tot Wuk Wuk” has gone viral in Indonesia, criticizing...

Museums Protests

Indonesia’s Museums and Heritage Sites Damaged During Mass Protests

2025-09-08

Jakarta, Indonesia Senitnel -- Protests that erupted on Saturday, August 30, 2025, left a trail of destruction at several museums...

Brave Pink Hero Green

Indonesia’s Social Media Flooded with Brave Pink Hero Green Trends Amidst Protest Movement, What’s the Meaning?

2025-09-06

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesia’s social media are being flooded with profile pictures shaded in “Brave Pink” and “Hero Green”....

Hashtag SEAblings Viral on X as Southeast Asians Rally to Support Indonesian Drivers Amid Protests

2025-09-05

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Social media platform X was flooded with a wave of solidarity from Southeast Asian users under...

Gunung Padang Discoveries

Researchers Uncover New Discoveries at Indonesia’s Mysterious Gunung Padang Site, Reveal Hidden Underground Chambers

2025-08-27

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Researchers conducting restoration and further study at the Gunung Padang site in West Java have reported...

Ancient Manuscripts Indonesia

UNESCO Adds Two Ancient Manuscripts from Indonesia to Memory of the World

2025-08-26

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially recognized two ancient manuscripts from...

Mountain Grading

Indonesia Releases Risk-Based Grading for Mountain Hiking Trails Across Country

2025-08-21

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has released an official grading system for mountain hiking trails across national...

Diponegoro Film

Indonesia Releases Film of National Hero Diponegoro, The First Fully Produced by AI

2025-08-19

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesia’s film industry has marked a new milestone with the release of “Diponegoro Hero: 200 Years...

Toba Caldera Geopark

Indonesia Eyes UNESCO Green Card for Toba Caldera Geopark

2025-08-18

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- The Indonesian government expressed optimism that the Toba Caldera Geopark will regain its “green card” status...

Load More
Next Post
Indonesia new Species

Indonesia Announced the Discovery of 19 New Species of Flora and Fauna

Popular

  • yandex

    How to Watch Viral Video on Yandex: What You Need to Know

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Joyoboyo Prophecy: Historical Roots and Modern Resonance in Indonesian Society

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Seven Workers Remain Trapped in Freeport Underground Mine After Hit by Landslide

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 15 Indonesian Provinces Lead in Sex Worker Locations, West Java Ranks First!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • One Piece Pirate Flag Rises Across Indonesia Ahead the Independence Day

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recommended

Judges Reshuffle

Indonesia’s Supreme Court Reshuffle Hundreds of Judges and Clerks Amid Push for Judicial Reform

5 months ago
Tax Penalties

Indonesia Waives Late Tax Filing Penalties for 2024 Due to Eid Holiday

6 months ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Indonesiasentinel.com is an independent online news portal committed to providing accurate, in-depth, and up-to-date news about Indonesia. Since 2021, we have been a trusted source for millions of readers seeking relevant and reliable news.

Part of:

Information Page

  • About
  • Editorial
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • About
  • Editorial
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Contact

  • contact@indonesiasentinel.com
© 2021 Indonesia Sentinel

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Economic
  • Culture
  • Tech & Science

© 2024 Indonesia Sentinel