Book Review Tayuban Kalangenan Menak Priangan, by Anis Sujana. Bandung

Abstract

Indonesia's diverse tribes offer a wealth of cultural richness, reflected in art, cuisine, architecture, and traditions. Traditional dances from regions across the archipelago, from Sumatra to Papua, are integral to this heritage. One notable example is Tayub, a traditional dance historically prominent in Java from the Mataram period through the 1970s. In Central Java, Tayub is associated with fertility—both human and natural—and is often performed during harvests and life events such as births, deaths, circumcisions, and weddings. Conversely, in West Java, Tayub originated among the elite, symbolising status and power. Its ties to the Mataram Kingdom and Dutch colonial rule marked it as a display of political influence, which eventually spread throughout society.