I'm so glad I still have the opportunity to take part in the contest announced by steemitblog a few days ago and this is already in its second week. 'Steemit Engagement Challenge Season3 Week #2, All About My Local Music', is the theme that is being carried out by this community. I feel that this theme will be very interesting because we can get to know various types of music and dances from various parts of the world.

I will review a local music from my area, where I live in Aceh, North Aceh precisely with one of the songs and dances called 'Saman Dance'. Hopefully, with this article, everyone will get to know and participate in preserving the dance which has also been recognized by UNESCO.

Saman Music and Dance

The Saman dance is an original Acehnese dance originating from the highlands of Aceh Gayo, which was initiated by Sheikh Muhammad Saman, whose name is the Saman Dance. This saman dance is usually performed during the commemoration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad and also at other major celebrations including wedding celebrations. The poems and stanzas also contain remembrance and advice delivered through a dance sung by the "Shaykh" with or without a drum.

As we know that Aceh is a region that has many customs and cultures. One of the cultural treasures is the art of Saman Dance. Saman dance is not only about the dance, but there are songs/lyrics that are sung along with the typical dance movements. This dance is also influenced by several Malay and Arabic cultures. This dance is an adoption of the Pok Pok Ane dance which is accompanied by clapping movements of the hands and chest and thighs.

Clapping hands, chest, and thighs and the style of sitting like sitting in prayer is a form of surrender to the Creator. This saman dance was originally performed by men, but over time and culturally, this dance was performed by both men and women in an odd number of ways, even in 2017 in Seribu Bukit, Gayo Luwes Regency, Aceh. This is the year when the saman dance was performed en masse by 12,262 dancers and 5,057 participants and this figure has managed to break a world record.

Saman dance is not only a dance, but also a medium of propaganda to convey the symbols of Islam to all corners of the world. This dance has many philosophical meanings such as containing politeness, lessons, advice, satire, heroism, and the harmony of the Acehnese people.

• Saman Dance formation
  The formation of this saman dance is odd, consisting of up to 17 people. The more crowded the number, the more amazing this dance will be to witness. Each number has its own meaning.

• Male and Female Dancer
  This dance is not only performed by men but also women and is done together. This will give strength to the dance.

• Hand movements
  This dance is a dance that relies on fast hand movements, this is where the uniqueness and distinctiveness of this saman dance lies.

• Harmonization and Harmony
  The cohesiveness displayed by the dancers from fast hand movements creates a rhythmic sound so that the harmony carried out in the fast hand movements forms a harmonious rhythm.

• Media Da'wah
  The Saman dance which has many philosophical meanings is a propaganda medium whose poetry is in the form of religious advice and is also accompanied by fast hand movements so that it will be interesting and make it want to be seen and heard by the public.

• Saman Dance Costume
  The Saman dance costume consists of a headband, sash and songket cloth with bright colors combined with Acehnese lace stitching. And this is a form of introducing traditional Acehnese clothes.

• World Heritage By UNESCO
  UNESCO has recognizedThe Saman dance is one of the world's heritages because of the uniqueness and philosophical meaning contained in it which has a very influential meaning in people's lives, even this Saman dance is the most popular traditional Indonesian dance abroad.