Pakarena dance is one of the traditional dances of the region of South Sulawesi in the Indonesian State. The dance is accompanied by drums or Gandrang two heads and a pair of instruments like flute tool called puik-puik. In addition to dance Pakarena that had been played by dance maestro Daeng Maccoppong Rannu in Gowa district, there are still other types of dance Pakarena derived from Selayar. This is known as the Dance Dance Pakarena Pakarena Gantarang. Pakarena called typical dance Sulawesi Gantarang because this one comes from the village that was once at the center of the island kingdom in Selayar namely Gantarang Lalang Bata. Gantarang Pakarena dance danced by four female dancers. This dance first appeared in the 17th century, precisely in 1903, namely when Panali Patta King sworn in as King in Gantarang Lalang Bata.
However, no specific data and clearly stating since when it appears Pakarena dance and who created it. However, local people believe that dance Gantarang Pakarena this has nothing to do with the emergence of Tumanurung. In local belief, Tumanurung is an angel coming down from heaven. Tumanurung tasked with providing guidance on humans on earth.
The instructions are the symbols in the form of movement. Furthermore, these movements are known to dance Pakarena Gantarang. Munasih Nadjamuddin, one of the players Pakarena Dance Makassar also said the same thing. Dancers are often invoked as Muni Mama tells that Pakarena dance originated from the story of the separation between the occupant or occupants botting langi heaven with lino or earth dwellers. Before parting, botting langi first taught about the way of life, how to hunt and how to grow crops on lino occupants. These methods are taught through the movements of the hands, feet and body. These movements were then believed to be a ritual dance as a thanksgiving by the inhabitants of the earth for the inhabitants of heaven. Therefore, it is not surprising that the movement of the traditional dance is so artistic, meaningful, subtle, and difficult to distinguish between one another.
At Pakarena dance performances, dance played in 12 sections. Each movement has meaning and philosophy of each - each. A sitting to mark the beginning and end of this dance. Rotary motion clockwise depict human life cycle that continues to spin. While the up and down movement symbolizes the rhythm of life that is never smooth. There is always a time for someone to be on top and at the bottom.
In the rule Pakarena dance, dancers must not open your eyes wide terlau. In addition, leg movements are also not allowed too high. This rule applies throughout the dance progresses. In one Pakarena dance performances will take approximately 2 hours. Gantarang Pakarena dance accompanied by musical instruments such as kannong-kannong, drums, buttons, gongs, and pui-pui. Meanwhile, the dancers wear costumes in the form of clothes pahang, liba sabe, and jewels typical Selayar. Pahang shirt itself is a typical hand-woven South Sulawesi. While lipa sabe is typical silk sheath South Sulawesi.
Pakarena dancers must be women because basically traditional dance reflects the character of women Gowa polite, gentle, loyal, and obedient. Complement the beauty of the dancers dance moves in bright costumes of red, green, yellow and white. To complement this dance, the dancers also carry large-sized fan. In addition, other accessories worn include bracelets, necklaces, and also the bun.
