Rejang Renteng: A Sacred Dance for Saren's Dewa Yadnya Ceremony

Rejang Renteng Dance is one of the cultural art legacies originating from Banjar Saren, Nusa Penida, Klungkung. It is a reconstructed version of the original Renteng Dance, which serves as a ceremonial accompaniment during the Dewa Yadnya rituals performed by the community in Banjar Adat Saren. The term "renteng" in this context means "in a strand" or "in a row," reflecting the philosophy of this dance as a link connecting previous and subsequent rituals in religious ceremonies. Jero Mangku Gede Ngurah, a priest at Merajan Saren Kawitan Keniten, described the term renteng as follows: “Renteng can be seen as a sequence, meaning this dance becomes an integral part of the piodalan ceremony” (interview, February 5, 2020). According to Jero Mangku Gede Ngurah, renteng is a term given by the local community in the past, symbolizing that the dance is inseparable from the conduct of religious ceremonies.

As a ritual dance, Rejang Renteng possesses unique elements that distinguish it. The dance is performed collectively by married women in odd numbers, such as three, five, or seven dancers. Before performing, the dancers undergo a purification process called melukat, symbolizing the cleansing of body and soul. This dance is also performed in specific contexts, such as piodalan ceremonies and the jagung meladung ritual, a corn harvest ritual believed to bring blessings and prevent plagues if performed correctly.

The Movements of Renteng Dance

Close-Up of Renteng Dancers (Source: Personal Collection)

The movements in Rejang Renteng Dance are simple yet profound in meaning. They consist of three primary movements repeated throughout the performance: ngelikas (cross-stepping with hand swings), nguler (a swaying motion with circular patterns), and mentang (arms stretched sideways). The performance structure is straightforward, comprising three interconnected sections without changes in rhythm or dynamics of the accompanying music.

The costumes and makeup of Rejang Renteng dancers also reflect simplicity and sanctity. The dancers wear traditional Balinese attire, including white kebayas, kamen, and sashes, complemented by natural makeup without excessive embellishments. The accompanying music, known as rerentengan, employs traditional instruments such as the kendang, ceng-ceng kopyak, trompong, reyong, and kempur. The rhythm of the music blends seamlessly with the dancers' movements, enhancing the sacred atmosphere of the performance.

A Brief History of Renteng Dance

Image of Renteng Dancers in Procession (Source: Personal Collection)

The history of Rejang Renteng Dance is intriguing. The dance gained widespread attention after being reintroduced by Ida Ayu Made Diastini and the Bali Provincial Department of Culture in 1999, who created a new, modernized version. However, the original Renteng Dance from Dusun Saren I has been preserved by the local community as a sacred cultural heritage. To this day, the original dance has remained largely unchanged since its inception in Dusun Saren I.

With its unique elements, Rejang Renteng Dance embodies the richness of Balinese culture imbued with spiritual values. As a sacred dance, it symbolizes respect for ancestors and manifests the connection between humans, nature, and the divine. The dance also illustrates how traditional art can thrive and be honored amidst the changing times, safeguarding the cultural identity of the Dusun Saren I community.