Majapahit's Dance of Power: The Bedhaya Ketawang

In this episode of Majapahit: The Empire That Once Ruled Indonesia, Lucas and Luna explore the sacred Bedhaya Ketawang, a court dance that embodied Majapahit's cosmic and political authority. They trace its origins to the reign of Hayam Wuruk and the court of Trowulan, where the dance was performed to invoke blessings and legitimize kingship. The conversation delves into the dance's philosophical roots in Javanese Hindu-Buddhist cosmology, its role in mediating relations between the royal center and the pasisir lords, and how it survived the empire's collapse to become a cherished tradition of the Mataram sultanate. Lucas explains the dance's intricate movements, the symbolism of the seven or nine dancers, and the mystical poem that accompanies it, which some believe contains hidden prophecies. They also discuss the controversies surrounding its authenticity and the challenges of preserving a dance that was once considered too sacred to be performed in public. Along the way, Luna asks about the connection between the Bedhaya and the keris, and whether the dance was ever used as political theater. The episode ends with a reflection on how art can outlast empires. #Majapahit #BedhayaKetawang #JavaneseDance #Trowulan #HayamWuruk #HinduBuddhist #Nusantara #Pasisir #Keris #Mataram #CandiSukuh #Negarakertagama #GajahMada #SacredDance #History #FexingoHistory #Indonesia #SoutheastAsia Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo