Riris Mangenjali Dance, Performed Once a Year to Honor the Rain
Sep 09, 2026 | WTN Indonesia Chapter - Budi Mudi Astuti | Culture & Sustainability
SLEMAN — A dance is not always created merely for beauty. In Tempursari Hamlet, Sardonoharjo, Ngaglik, Sleman, Yogyakarta, dance movement becomes a way to convey the message of the importance of protecting water as the source of life.
This message is reflected in the Riris Mangenjali Dance, a creation by Sanggar Banyu Bening that is specifically performed to honor rainwater. This dance is unique because it is only performed once a year, every 9th day of the 9th month.
As part of the Kenduri Banyu Udan XI series, on Wednesday (9/9/2026), the Riris Mangenjali Dance was performed again. This time, the children of Sanggar Banyu Bening performed the meaningful dance beautifully before the community and guests in attendance.
Unlike most dance performances, the number of dancers in Riris Mangenjali always uses an odd number. This tradition is part of the distinctive character of the dance, which has become one of the symbols of honoring rainwater at Banyu Bening.
The teacher of Sanggar Banyu Bening, Ludtina Pangestu, explained that Riris Mangenjali Dance depicts the relationship between humans and rainwater. The dance is divided into three main parts, each carrying a different yet interconnected message.
"The first part is about how to manage rainwater. The second part is sacred — a prayer and an expression of gratitude. The third part is about how we can utilize rainwater," said Ludtina.
Through these three parts, the dance is not only an artistic expression but also a medium for education. The children performing the dance are also taught to understand that rainwater is not something to be immediately discarded, but something that can be managed and used for life.
The performance of Riris Mangenjali Dance also serves as a reminder that protecting water requires collective awareness. When rainwater is seen as a blessing, humans have a responsibility to care for it.
For the Head of the Banyu Bening Community, Sri Wahyuningsih, the 11-year journey of Kenduri Banyu Udan has not been a short one. Throughout that time, the community has continued to convey the message about the importance of rainwater to the public.
With an emotional voice, Yu Ning expressed that the various activities carried out over the past 11 years are part of an effort to instill awareness in the community to increasingly appreciate water.
"During our 11-year journey, we have been conveying messages about rainwater to the community," said Yu Ning.
The message is summarized in the theme of Kenduri Banyu Udan XI: "Ngrumat Banyu Udan, Ngrumat Panguripan", which means Caring for Rainwater Means Caring for Life.
The theme felt even stronger when the children of Sanggar Banyu Bening performed Riris Mangenjali. In the hands of the younger generation, the message of water conservation does not stop as discourse, but is passed down through movement, prayer, art, and tradition.
Riris Mangenjali is therefore more than just a dance performed once a year. It is a reminder that every drop of rain has a story and purpose for life.
From Tempursari, that simple message is echoed again: when humans care for water, they are truly caring for the future.
(Reported by WTN Indonesia Chapter - Budi Mudi Astuti)
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