Title:
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Moving through tradition : children's practice and performance of dance, music and song in south-central Bali
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This thesis is an ethnography of children's practice and performance of dance, music and song
in the village of Keramas, Gianyar, South-central Bali. Focusing upon power relationships
between adults and children and between children themselves in the setting of a Balinese
dance studio (sanggar tan), I examine how adults exercise power over children and teenagers
in the context of traditional Balinese dance. Furthermore, I investigate the ways in which
children incorporate contemporary influences into their songs, games and disco dance
performances, thereby exercising agreater degree of power over their own activities. While
dance is central to Bali-Hindu religious practice, it is also a medium used to communicate
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important aspects of what it means to be Balinese to children. Looking at children's
participation in dance activities, I explore how children relate to the world that surrounds them.
By moving through tradition children not only perpetuate Balinese traditional dance, 'but also
actively engage with global influences. The thesis is divided into six chapters which
chronologically follow the journey of children's dance and music . ac. tivities, from lullabies ..
through traditional dance to disco dance performances. Although children's songs and lore
have received previous attention from scholars, research focusing upon music and dance
activities of children still remains on the periphery of ethnomusicological enquiry. By examining
children's songs and their learning, practice and performance of traditional and popular dance,
I sh~w how dance, music and song are integral elements in the lives of young Balinese. This
ethnographic account seeks to provide an insight into research pertaining to Bali as well as to
form the foundation for future studies regarding children and the role of music and dance in
their everyday lives.
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