In the review of the cultural event Pesta Kesenian Bali 2009 this time, will be appointed on the theme of dance “Leko”.  This dance is one of so many Balinese ancient dances which might has already rare to be performed and not much known by Balinese society. Today, Leko dance could be found only at Jembrana, regency at Western area of Bali.

In journey of Leko dance, the dance was come from a sacred art entertainment for the kingdom and noble. Like “Joged Bumbung” dance, Leko dance also using a traditional music “Rindik” to accompany the dance. Rindik is a Balinese traditional music made from bamboo. Leko dancing also involve with a dancer which is taken from the audience, and this dancer known as “Pengibing”. Leko dance using two female dancers while in Joged Bumbung only using one female dancer, this made a different between Leko dance and Joged Bumbung dance.

Leko dance was predictably inspired by “Gandrung” and “Gambuh”, appear in year of 1915 at Pendem village, Jembrana regency. Leko at that time was only a traditional music of “Gerantang” accompaniment with some traditional music device. Then in its evolution, Leko had equipped with a dancers who dance along with a traditional instruments. Leko was a traditional performance tribute to a royal and a king’s family, and a way of villagers to reassure the palace. Leko dance had gone through an upside down existence, where on a colonialism era in Bali, this Leko dance couldn’t perform again, but then raise and still exist until now.

The existence of Leko dance couldn’t detach from a cultural preservation synergy between traditional artists and others related community to protect ancient cultures. Through Bali Art Festival 2009, again Leko dance performance promotes to an audience in purpose of re- introducing this ancient dance for every younger generation. Hopefully, this promotion could lift up again the existence of Leko dance as one of Balinese heritage which deserve to be protect from extinction.

Quick Source : Bali Post (Saturday, 27 June 2009)