Aesthetic Values in Balada Cenderawasih Traditional Dance of Papua

Abstract

This study aims to find out the aesthetic values in Balada Cenderawasih, a traditional dance of Papua. Balada Cenderawasih is a traditional Papuan ballad performed in the dance moves. The contents of literary and artistic are fully included in it which can be explored more than just a performance on the stage. One of several ways to explore is by finding out the aesthetic values through a study. This study is descriptive qualitative with the source data obtained from the dance move sequences, informant, and the synopsis. The data were collected by overt observation, structured interview, and documentation, then were analyzed using Miles and Huberman's three steps; reduction, display, and verification. The results of the study show that the aesthetic values are found out based on the 3 aesthetic elements; appearance, substance, and presentation. 1) Appearance; a) Form: the formation of a group of birds symbolizing beauty, binary opposition and leadership, b) Structure: the unity, the dominance, and the balance symbolizing the structure of leadership; 2) Substance; a) Tone; mode change leading to raising emotion, b) Idea; showing chronological journey, c) Message; reminding people of environmental endangerment; 3) Presentation; Three elements of unity, complexity, and intensity presenting the quality of the dance performance which determining the whole elements of aesthetic values.