Caci dance is traditional war dance of manggaraian in Flores
island, it is the game of dexterity test in
martial arts combined with a dance.
Performed by two males dancers who dance and fight each other using a whip as
weapon and shield as a the protector and the boat of things are made of buffalo
leather. This dance is often displayed at various events such as when the
celebration of the harvest season (hang Woja), ritual new year (penti), and
various other ceremonies, and now it’s normally performance to celebrate
Indonesian independence day.
According to historic caci dance originated from the
tradition of the Manggarai community where men fight each other to test their
courage and agility in battle. The dance was developed into an art in which
there is a dance, song and music accompaniment to add the value of arts. Caci
comes from the word "ca" means "one" and "ci"
means "test". So the abuse can be interpreted as a test of dexterity
one on one.
As its function this dance is the way for the Men in
Manggarai to prove their virility, both in terms of courage and dexterity.
Although in performing contained violence but this dance has a message of peace
such as the spirit of sportsmanship, mutual respect, and resolved without
rancor between the dancer. This matter can show that they have spirit and
heroic in their self.
Caci dance is performed by a group of male dancers armed
with a whip and shield. In the show, a group of dancers divided into two
sections and competed against each other. Before the dancers competed, the show
first started with an other dance that called Danding tandak dance. The dance
is performed by dancers that consist of male and female as the opening
ceremony. After the opening dance followed by Caci dance attractions.
Two dancers would enter the arena, first dancer warming up by
doing dance. Then they challenged each other while singing traditional songs,
and then the game began. In this
attraction there is a rule, players can only hit the upper body of his
opponents such as the arms, back, or chest. The dancer must be able to deflect
or avoid the opponent's attack, If not he will get injury on his body by the
whip. The defender will be declared lost if attacking by whip in his eyes.
In Caci dance performances are usually accompanied by
traditional musical instruments such as drums and gongs, and the player also
will sing some traditional song that called neggo. In the performance of each
group usually has its own supporters. Like a sports game, supporters are also
cheering provide support and encouragement to the dancers to win. During Caci
dance perfomance, dancers use a tradional custome look like white color trouser
combine withtradional sarong that called towe songke, cover head and the upper body without clothes.
