Bekasi's Ujungan Dance Dazzles at Five Mountains Festival

The traditional Ujungan Dance from Bekasi, West Java, recently enthralled spectators at the 25th Five Mountains Festival in Magelang. This cultural performance, recognized as Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB), made its inaugural appearance at the national-scale cultural festival held in Dusun Warangan, Desa Muneng Warangan, Kecamatan Pakis.

Eyang Anjar Purwani, the choreographer for the Ujungan Dance, expressed pride in the warm reception from the audience. She noted that the dancers' synchronized movements, expressive power, and a presentation blending tradition with creativity were well-received. The four-minute and 50-second performance was a historic moment, being the first time the Ujungan Dance was showcased at a prominent cultural festival since its official designation by the Ministry of Culture on July 3, 2026.

Achieving this success required meticulous preparation. According to Eyang Anjar, intensive rehearsals began a month before the performance. This presentation was a collaborative effort involving various communities, including Babah Rais from Padepokan Pencak Silat Ki Sayan for movement inspiration, Drahim Sada, Chairman of the Bekasi Arts and Culture Padepokan, and Sanggar Seni Betawi Margasari Kacrit for music arrangement, with support from the Regional Cultural Council. "Our main goal is to introduce the Ujungan Dance nationally, making it more recognized as a cultural treasure of Bekasi Regency," Eyang Anjar stated.

The Five Mountains Festival itself celebrated its 25th anniversary, consistently organized by the Komunitas Lima Gunung (KLG) through self-funding without relying on sponsors or government aid. This annual event brings together artists and farmers from the regions of Mount Merapi, Merbabu, Andong, Sumbing, and Menoreh. In 2026, the festival hosted 85 art groups, totaling 1,274 artists, presenting a diverse range of performances including traditional dance, music, poetry readings, cultural parades, and interdisciplinary art collaborations.