A rare antique photograph taken and published around the year 1880 of a Javanese dancer flanked by musicians. The costumes suggest the dancer and musicians are Ronggeng performers.
Ronggeng is a type of Javanese dance in which couples exchange poetic verses as they dance to the music of a rebab or violin and a gong. Ronggeng might have originated from Java in Indonesia, but also can be found in Sumatra and the Malay peninsula. Ronggeng probably has existed in Java since ancient time, as a relief section on 8th century, Borobudur displays the scene of travelling entertainment troupe with musicians and female dancers.