Central Javan News Today

The Attorney General's Office of Indonesia has distributed thousands of packages of food assistance to people affected by natural disasters in various ...

JAKARTA: Candidates on Tuesday opened their campaigns for Indonesias presidential election, which is shaping up as a three-way race among a former special forces general whos lost twice before and two former governors.

Indonesian dancer Rianto moves gracefully in front of a crowd of thousands in the capital Jakarta, whipping his orange sash and in full make-up as he performs a centuries-old folk dance frowned upon by conservatives.

Indonesian dancer Rianto moves gracefully in front of a crowd of thousands in the capital Jakarta, whipping his orange sash and in full make-up as he performs a centuries-old folk dance frowned upon by conservatives."Lengger is still looked down on and negatively stigmatised," 42-year-old dancer and choreographer Rianto told AFP. "People still see men dancing as going against the norm," said Rianto, who like many Indonesians has one name.

Lengger Lanang, performed by men dressed as Javanese princesses and with its roots in the 16th century, is close to disappearing in the Muslim-majority country with fewer than 100 performers remaining.