Dancing with the Invisible: Trance as a Medium of Cultural and Spiritual Dialogue in Javanese Folk Tradition

Trance in Javanese traditional dance is an artistic communication with the supernatural, rooted in local traditions, not a psychological anomaly. Using ethnographic methods and the Solah Ebrah model, the study documents and analyzes cultural behaviors during trance states in performance. It examines possession from psychological, Islamic, socio-cultural, and performative perspectives, broadening understanding of trance in dance and offering a reference for future studies.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This paper examines the phenomenon of trance in Javanese traditional dance traditions, viewing it as an artistic endeavor rather than a psychological peculiarity. Trance is understood as a type of communication between the human and supernatural realms, with significant roots in local traditions. Using an ethnographic method and the Solah Ebrah model, the study carefully documents and analyzes cultural behaviors associated with trance states in performance. Using Kurath's six-step ethnographic method: observation, description, laboratory research, analysis of dance forms and events, synthesis, and conclusion. The study examines the complexities of possession in folk dance from psychological, Islamic, socio-cultural, and performative viewpoints. The findings help to broaden our understanding of trance in performance and provide a helpful reference for future dance studies.