RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Lumense Dance was first discovered by the Moronene Tribe in Kabaena, Southeast Sulawesi. This dance is very ancient. It is said that the Lumense dance has existed and developed for 200 years.

Lumense comes from the word lumee, meaning cleansing, and eense, meaning soaring. This meaning describes the dance's cleansing of sins and disasters through soaring movements resembling embers.

In the past, the Lumense dance was performed in the pe-olia ritual. This ritual honored spirits called Kowonuano (rulers/owners of the land) by offering various types of food. The purpose of this ritual was to entice the kowonuano to ward off any impending plague or disaster.

Initially, this ritual used animals as sacrifices to ward off plagues. The arrival of Islam in Kabaena also adapted the ritual. Banana trees replaced animal and human sacrifices.

Over time, the Lumense dance has evolved to depict the Kabaena people's passion for farming. In the performance, men carry machetes, symbolizing farmers, while banana trees symbolize disaster. Female dancers wear black clothes and maroon mermaid-tail-shaped skirts called taincombo. Male dancers wear taincombo combined with a red scarf and a korobi (a wooden machete sheath) around their left waist.

Now, the Lumense dance is not only a ritual for exorcism but also a "healing" dance. Lumense dance has also begun to be performed at other events, such as weddings, welcoming important guests, cultural events, and so on. (Misni Parjiati/Bambang MBKA)