Saman

One of the most popular dance art in Aceh is Saman. Saman Dance from the Gayo highlands is even very popular throughout the archipelago as well as the world. Therefore, Saman dance has now been incorporated in a non-human heritage culture since 24 Novermber 2011.

As the name suggests, this Saman dance was created by a cleric from Gayo land, Sheikh Saman. This dance with his poetry, originally used as a medium of propagation in the spread of Islam.
Today, however, this dance is often performed on important activities both in the region of origin and in other areas of Aceh.

In general, saman dance movements are divided into clapping and chest movements, shaking movements, kirep movements, lingang movements, and snake-strain movements.
I first watched Saman dance in his native land around 1997 when he first visited Blangkejeren. At that time, this city is still the district capital in Southeast Aceh Regency.