Ma’Gellu’ Dance as an expression of Gratitude After the Harvest

One more thing that makes me love Indonesia is a dance that very often I see when I was in Tana Toraja. Beautiful dance dazzling as the faces of the women who perform the dance.......

Ma’Gellu’ Dance performent

Ma’Gellu performed when the harvest is over. 80% of the people in Toraja society in ancient times lives from farming because Tana Toraja geographically is mountainous and easy watering as general area of Indonesia is agricultural. Relating to agriculture in Indonesia is creating diverse culture, interesting to visit.

At night when the moon is in half some people pounding rice in a mortar (Mortar is the name of a tool made of wood that sunken in the middle) and to the accompaniment of the sound of mortar, women come to dance, as a sign of gratitude to the Almighty over the success of the harvest. Ma’Gellu’ describes the farmers harvest the rice by using ani-ani (ani-ani is a tool for cutting rice stalks), which is generally done by women and girls in the village. The harvest activity takes days even weeks, so it is quite tiring, but do not feel tired because they do it with passion, familiar and cheerful.

The Ma’gellu dance was originally developed in the District of Pangalla’ about 45 km to the East of Rantepao city, the capital city of North Toraja Regency. Pangalla’ is the capital city of Rindingallo District where we can find the monument of the local hero, Pong Tiku, who dared to oppose the Dutch government determined to build a stone castle in the Benteng Batu village of  Baruppu’ District.
Ma’Gellu dance is usually performed at the ceremony of Ma’Bua’. Ma’Bua’ is a special ritual ceremony related to the traditional Toraja house (Tongkonan), or a resident family has been performing the big ceremony of Rambu Solo’ (RAPASAAN SAPU RANDANAN). Recently Ma’gellu dance is also performed at the wedding ceremony, thanksgiving harvest, honor and reception events.

Ma’Gellu dance is performed by young women with an odd number and accompanied by a drum rhythm played by four young men. Clothing and accessories that are used specifically for dancers with jewelry made of gold and silver as : Gold Keris/ Sarapang Bulawan, Kandaure, Sa’pi’ Ulu’, Tali Tarrung, Bulu Bawan, Rara’, Mastura, Manikkata, Oran-oran, Lola’ Pali’ Gaapong, Komba Boko’ and others.

If you visit one of the 10 attractions of Indonesia, you can enjoy the dance of Ma’Gellu in the origin of Tana Toraja region, one of the region as a cause I love Indonesia.

image sources : http://www.torajatreasures.com/en/culture/12-traditional-arts/23-dance-a-music