original text by Hesti Setiarini, executive summary by darmansjah
The faces of the dancerswore masks shapeddemon. They danced in groups. Each group of eight people. Each dancer doing the acrobat in pairs. Sword wielding prepared in conjunction with the flick of a dynamic fan. The audience was amazed before them. Graceful and character.
The sword and the fan is a symbol to ward off evil spirits. I was watching oni kembai, which literally means dance sword dance exorcist. This dance has been around since 701 AD from Kitakami city, Iwate Prefecture. Initially, oni kembaia Buddhist sacred dances to ward off evil spirits or demons who disturb the peace of mankind. However, with changing times become part of the folk dances Iwate.
There are many variations oni Kembai dance moves . Myself, two, three to five. The dancers dressed in costumesdominated the red, black and white with a decorative mat coated image and a symbol of the little kimono in the buttocks. Weapon system drumaccompaniment music, flutes and bells produce a distinctive rhythm that makes this dance is rather monotonous as if to hypnotize the viewer to dissolve in eachmovement.
Oni Kembai dance can be enjoyed in Iwate mass at various festivals over the past four seasons each year. Bhakan Futago group, a small villagein Kitakami since the 1970's has been known as Europe and America.