Through Keser Bojong Dance, Indonesian Culture Blossoms In The Netherlands

Rotterdam, Netherlands – In an effort to preserve Indonesian culture among the younger generation abroad, the Kridha Budaya Dance Studio from Suriname in Netherlands, collaborated with me, Zahrah Luthfi Kholifah, a P2MB KKN International student from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, to organize a traditional dance workshop. The chosen focus for this workshop is the Keser Bojong dance. This activity aimed to introduce the youth in the Netherlands to the rich cultural heritage of the Indonesian archipelago, particularly the traditional dances of West Java.

Christine, the leader and owner of the Kridha Budaya Dance Studio, has been running the studio for ten years, catering to members aged 7 to 21. She introduces Javanese dances to her members with a distinctive Surinamese style. One of the dances taught in the studio is Gambyong Parianom in the Surinamese style.

During the workshop, I directly introduced and demonstrated the Keser Bojong dance to members of the Kridha Budaya Dance Studio. I also guided the participants in mastering the intricate yet beautiful movements of the dance. The training was conducted over five sessions, with evaluations on movement precision and memorization held at the end of each session.

“Zahrah taught our dancers the Keser Bojong dance. She provided these lessons to our complete satisfaction. While teaching with us, Zahrah has always made every effort to deliver high-quality lessons,” said Christine, the studio owner.

In addition to the practical training, I provided insights into the names and meanings behind each movement in the dance.

A survey revealed that most of the dancers were learning a traditional West Javanese dance for the first time. They expressed their excitement and enthusiasm during the Keser Bojong dance workshop. Through this training, it is hoped that the dancers from Kridha Budaya Dance Studio will not only master the techniques of the Keser Bojong dance but also develop a sense of pride in Indonesian culture.