| Balinese: Janger | |
| Native Name: | |
| Native Name Lang: | ban |
| Instruments: | Javanese: [[Gamelan]], Javanese: [[Kendhang]] |
| Inventor: | Balinese and Osing |
| Origin: | Indonesia |
Balinese: Janger (Balinese: ᬚᬗᬾᬃ) is a traditional Balinese and Osing dance drama performance originated from the Indonesian island of Bali,[1] and commonly performed by Balinese in Bali as well as Osing people in the easternmost region of Java. The term roughly translates to '"infatuation," with a connotation of someone who is madly in love" :97
Janger is a social dance created in the 1920s, though its exact date of origin is unknown[2] :17, 161 I Madé Kredek claims it 'originated in the village of Menyali, North Bali and the songs featured in it were those of the horse drivers in the area.'[3] :101
Janger is a 'flirtatious youth group dance'[4] :92 which begins with a tableau vivant and a welcoming song.:161 This is followed by 12 male dancers (kecak) who perform an elaborate routine. When finished, they sit in two rows of six facing each other, and then, a female group (janger) enters the area, sings a traditional folk song,:161 and performs a slower dance with an 'emphasis on fluid, undulating, arm movements'.:100 When finished, they form two lines of six, with the male dancers 'forming a boundary around the playing area.':161 This opening is followed by a drama, which usually concerns some sort of domestic theme.:162