Someone asked, "Why are you doing this work?" I grew up with very strong female role models in my life and my heritage as a Minangkabau has always placed the importance of women as leaders in the matters of adat and community. My journey in dance as the only male dancer for a long period of time in Perkumpulan Seni, gave me the opportunity to appreciate my seniors who were mostly female. They became my world growing up in the scene. When Mak Mak Menari was first formed I was intrigued by their initiative to start a group and since 2012, they have become a consistent, yet underlooked, feature of the Malay Dance scene. These are women with the right (niat) intentions. Women who have to negotiate the seemingly patriarchal structures to remember the importance of "care". Behind the scenes, I observed intently as my sisters prepared for rehearsals. Checking in with one another when they each arrive, to the preparation of delicious food and to the sharing of the latest happenings. After a run of the performance, they would share quiet hugs after listening to each other's stories. They knew that everyone have had it hard, but there is no time to judge, only time to provide comfort and "kasih sayang". I am touched that they have offered me a little space in their circle of love allowing my team to present their stories respectfully and being active agents in acknowledging how the arts can also be transformative. I hope my female students see them as role models. I see many potential dancers leaving the scene after marriage/pregnancy. The women in Mak Mak Menari are jugglers, they might not always get the juggling of their many responsibilities right but they never allowed setbacks to stopped them from dancing indefinitely. 36 more days to the premiere of Mak-Mak Menari. Come join us and celebrate the lives of mothers, wives, sisters, daughters -- most valuably, dancers. #soultari #bhumicollective #365soulgrateful @makmakmenari @m1sff https://www.instagram.com/p/B56vA4KBNLWQFDQXmt05DtTYhSfa3OXjAzRA480/?igshid=14f9b693geuv8
