The Bediya.
The Rong’geng.
on the ground, in the same manner as before its <*>mmencftmeht) and after
closing their hands, and raising them to the forehead in. »Taken. .ofi respect,
remain seated with .»• downcast »look and captivating modesty ."until the
signal is given to the matrons to relieve them by others, -when they again
glide into the same apartment.
The beddya, who perform a figure dance pf- eight persons, are-in some
respect to the nobles what the s’ranpi are to the sovereign1; but, at-present,
few of the nobles can afford to maintain a sufficient number ofi youthful concubines
to compose this dances it is frequently therefore performed by.boys
trained for the purpose. They are dressed nearly in the same manner as
the s’rimpi, though not so expensively., The action moves to' the jsaane
music and song,
JBut the common dancing girls of the country, who appear to approach
more nearly,to themsual dancing girls of Western. India, sue caEedxdsg^gKg1,
and are generally, of easy virtue. They make a profession of their art,
and hire themselves to perform on particular .occasions, for .theamusement
of the chiefs, and of the public. Though to-be found mevery principal
town, their performance is m ^ t highly c s^m ed in, Western, and .particularly
among the rude mountaineers of the Sunda , districts, !where fhe
superior graces of the, beddya are unknown. Hereithey are constantly
engaged on every occasion of festivity, and the regents frequently keep the
most accomplished in their service for years. Their conduct is generally so
incorrect, as to render the title of rbnggeng and prostitute synonimous j
but it not unfrequently happens, that after am assing iconsiderablse wealth
in the professsion, they obtain, on account of their fortune,, the hand
of some petty chief.. In this case,, they generally, after a few years
retirement and domestic quiet, avail themselves of the. facility of. a divorce,
and repudiating. their husbands, return to their former, habits. .The
rcmg’gmgs accompany the dance with singing, the . words being generally
extempore to the music of the gdmelan salendro aa&pelog. Their ,dress is
coarse, but in, other respects resembles, that of . the m0Ee select. dancers.
They do not, however, wear any tiara on the head n®r armlets ; bracelets
sue only worn occasionally. Their hair is dressed after a peculiar fashion,
abundantly oiled,, and ornamented with flowers »of various kinds. They
sometimes exhibit singly and sometimes in groupes, following; and approaching
each other, dr receding at pleasure. They perform at any time
of the day, but chiefly in the evening, and endeavour to exhibit their best
_ attitudes
See Plate.