This is a portion of the traditional Bhutanese masked dance of Cham, rearranged for a solo performer. It is a combination of the ‘Drum Dance’ which represents the victory of good over evil, and the ‘Hero’s Dance’ which contains a message to the god of peace and anger. In Bhutan, Buddhism is more than a religion, being a philosophy that guides its way of life and culture. In this culture of Buddhism, Cham is regarded one of the most unique elements of the Bhutanese Buddist heritage. ‘Cham’ which refers to a type of masked dance performed at rituals, is performed at the annual festivals of temples in the region. The people of Bhutan regard the act of viewing Cham as a spiritual experience, of release from worldly attachments.\n\nCham dancers wear traditional costumes made of silk in the 6 colors of red, white, yellow, green, blue and black. Each color stands for different aspects of nature, red for fire, energy and strength, white for water and peace, yellow for the ground, growth and elevation, green for air and finiteness, blue for the universe and infinity, and black for anger. The masks worn while dancing are carved from wood, depicting saints, wise men, guardian deities and legendary figures. The music is played using cymbals, drums, large and small copper horns, conches and bells.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙An excerpt from a Cham (Bhutanese masked ritual dance) adapted for the stage\n\nPerformed by Tsering Dorji\nDirected by Tsering Dorji

A version of the traditional Garanuhing adapted for the stage. Garanuhing can be seen in traditional parades to thank the almighty god and is typically performed by female dancers. It is performed to express gratitude and joy at the rice harvest, or at ‘Tolak Bala’ exorcism rituals to pray for the smooth recovery of people suffering from disease.\n\nThe word ‘Garanuhing’ literally means a brass bell or the sound from one. It can be spherical or bell-shaped, about 5 cm wide and hollow inside, containing a small metallic object to produce sounds. These bells are used as accessories worn on the ankles or wrists of dancers in certain regions of Indonesia. Kaliningan, a genre of music played by the Sunda people, indigenous to the west region of Java, is also referred to as Garanuhing.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Ritual dance performed to give thanks for the harvest or exorcise evil spirits\n∙Mainly performed by female dancers\n\nPerformed by Marwar Budaya Dance Atelier\nDirected by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti\nChoreographed by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti

‘Reba’ means ‘wandering performer’ in the Zang language, and Rebagu is a traditional dance which used to be performed by Zang folk performers. It used to be called ‘bell dance’ in the past as the male dancers used bells, while women mostly used drums.\n\nThe dancers hold the drum in the left hand and a long drumstick in the right. The most common moves consist of turning left and right and flipping around to hit the drum and rotating the body while holding the drum and drumstick to the crown of the head. Most ordinary people are not able to follow these moves as the beat is very fast while the angle of movement when bending the torso back and forth is too large. Bending the waist or back is a characteristic move in the ethnic dances of Tibet.\n\nRebagu was originally a totem dance of the primitive Bon religion of the Zang. It developed by absorbing influences from other religions, culture and folk art, to become a proud symbol of the ancient art of the Zang. Rebagu is now a representative dance of not just the Zang people but the whole of China, of well recognized artistic and research value.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Makes use of a small drum with bells (bell drum)\n\nPerformed by Yanbian Heumjung Dance Company\nDirected by Kim Yeong-hwa\nChoreographed by Kim Yeong-hwa

Rakhine ethinic groups are playing Rakhine drum, Khwe' Khwin and jingle bells. Khwe' Khwin is a timing bell which looks like a mushroom. The player strikes its surface with small stick and makes sounds. String of jingle bells consists of a loop with many bells, the player shakes it up and down to make sounds.