KBRN, Bandar Lampung: The DianArza Arts Laboratory (DAAL), an arts group from Lampung, presented a performance that was not only a treat for the senses but also a deeply moving experience. Titled Ayak-ayak, the show tells the story of women who tap damar trees, living with sweat, patience, and light.

Staged at the 2025 International Folklore Festival in Semarang from September 12-14, this work unveiled the lives of resilient women who climb damar trees daily. They collect sap drop by drop to support their families and preserve an ancestral legacy.

Dian Anggraini, the founder and artistic director of DAAL, described Ayak-ayak as a serenade to the earth and the female body. “They aren’t just providers. They are guardians of the traditional forest, storytellers of tradition, and carriers of a light that almost fades behind the damar leaves,” she said.

Five performers told this story with their bodies: a dance that was both gentle and strong, ethnic music that blended with natural sounds, and contemporary vocal work. The performance carried the whispers of the coastal wind, the steps on damp soil, and the hopes hanging from the damar branches.

The festival itself was a meeting of cultures from around the world. In a space filled with cross-cultural languages, DAAL chose a silent one: the language of the body, the land, and the resilience of women.

“Our participation on this international stage is a form of tribute to those who are often unseen. For us, art isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also a voice and sometimes, a beautiful wound,” Dian concluded.

With Ayak-ayak, DAAL represented more than just Lampung. The group brought a larger story to life, one about a fragile nature, powerful women, and art that can bridge worlds that don't always understand each other. ***

Translator: Diva Rifdah Rizkia Puspitaningnala

Editor: Bambang MBKA