This is the sayyang patuddu tradition held by residents of Lakmase Hamlet, Renggeang Village, Limboro District, Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.

Sayyang pattuddu or dancing horse is a tradition of the Mandar tribe, West Sulawesi, Indonesia which synergizes local religion and culture. Sayyang is Mandar for horse and pattuddu is dance.

It is called a dancing horse, because when the tambourine beat starts to sound, a horse that has been trained and ridden by a man or woman will stamp its feet and nod its head, and occasionally lift its body half in the air.

This tradition is often carried out to enliven the wedding ceremony.
enliven the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, welcoming official guests, and held as a form of appreciation. Especially for children who have finished reading the Koran.

This unique tradition has been designated as a national intangible cultural heritage by the government through the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2013 with designation number 201300046, the domain of performing arts.

Thus, this tradition has become the property of the Indonesian people and it is our obligation, especially the Mandar tribe, to protect and preserve it.


Video By : Taufan Bustan / Opn Images Indonesia