Ketchak Dance

Ketchak Dance, danced exclusively by a group of men with naked upperbodies, without headcloths, with only loin cloths. The group of men consist of 20-200 men, sitting(both legs crossed in front, while sitting on the ground) in a circle around a small space, where a dimly burning lamp is planted on a post. That narrow space is purposely reserved especially for the dancers dancing the "lelampahan" (fixed story). The sound of the Ketchak-dancers in their loin-cloths is like the gamelan (illustrative music) for the dancers in the centre.

The rhythm of the gamelan produced by the dancers is nothing else but: Chak, chak, chak. That is the fused sound of the monkeys in the wiratjarita Ramayana. So the Ketchaks here don't sing at all a melody. 

Shinta is Rama's spous, abducted by Rahwana to the country of Alengka. Laksmana (Rama's brother) is roving about together with Rama in search for Shinta, but without result. 

Finally the two brother meet with Sugriwa (the king of the monkey, who is willing to help them). Jatayu (a garuda bird) once assisted to take Shinta away, but he lost the battle an fell into the river. It is Jatayu who pointed out the way where Shinta was taken to by Rahwana. 

Hanoman (the white monkey, the crown-prince of the monkey-kingdom) succeeded in finding Shinta. In the end the attack on Alengka was planned, resulting in the victory of Rama and Shinta saved.