West Sumatera Dancing

• It is a tradition in Minangkabau to welcome honorable guests or to open a traditional event by presenting "Sirih Leaves" in a special container called a "Carano". It symbolizes a request to allow the ceremony to take place and asks a blessing form the guest as the activities begin. It is performed in a special dance called " Tari Pasambahan" or "Welcome Dance".

Manggaro Dance 

•  There is a unique way people in some villages chase away the birds so as to remove their weariness and boredom while in the rice fields. They make various movements and clik pieces of bamboo in their hands, while singing or shouting together. By the way they hope the birds will go away while the farmers are enjoying themselves. 

Urak Simpuah Dance 

• There is a popular proverb in Minangkabau "Duduak bapamenan, tagak baparintang" which means that one should have something to do while sitting or standing. The movements of this dance show several activities done daily women at home. The basic movements are adopted form "Mulo pado" dance, which is a very old dance originating form Luhak Nan Tuo, the ancient name give to the area of Tanah datar regency, which is well known as the center of the old Minangkabau Kingdom. 

Tingkah Adoh Dance

• Adok is kind of percussion instrument like tambourine though is bigger in size. It is commonly used to accompany Minangkabau folk song. In this dance the adok are rhythmically beaten by the dancers to accompany the dynamic movements of the dance. 

Plate Dance on Broken Glass 

• This dance describes how farmers cultivate their wet rice-field or sawah beginning from digging the land, ploughing, planting , harvesting, taking the crop home, until pounding the rice. When the farmers get a successful crop, they will enjoy themselves in a cheerful festivity. Every body has the chance to demonstrate whatever special proficiency he or she has jumping and dancing on the glass fragments symbolically means that men who are honest have to bravely face all risks. Plates in Minangkabau symbolize property and the happiness of a home. 

Sewah Dance The movements

• of this dance are based on the acts and movement of the traditional Minangkabau self-defence which is called "Pencak Silat". The dynamic music and movement of the dance reflects how optimistic and energetic the Minangkabau people are in facting the various challenges of life, especially when they are away from home. The used of Sewah or long knife is used in the dance.

Rambun Pamenan 

• Rambun Pamenan is an old tale which is popular among Minangkabau people. Rambun Pamenan was a brave and honest young man who had once to fight for a beautiful girl. The girl's ring was stolen by some naughty boys when she and her sisters were playing together. As she could not go back home without her ring, her sisters had left her alone, while the naughty boys still played around her and teased her. Eventually, Rambun Pamenan appears and fight the boys. He wins the fight and gives back the girl's ring.

Pencak Silat 

• Silat is the term for the arts of self-defence. The Silat of Minangkabau is very original, as all movements seen in nature, in accordance with the philosophy of Minangkabau " Alam Takambang jadi Guru " which means Nature is the Teacher. No movements are taken from other self-defence arts such as Kungfu, Karate,Taekwondo, and so on. Names are given to some movements of Minangkabau silat like " Kuciang Bagaluik " which means Cat Game and "Tangkok Harimau" or tiger catching etc.

Indang Dance

• Indang or Rebana is the local name for a small tambourine. The use of Indang in the traditional dance of West Sumatra shows that there is an influence of Islamic culture on the original Minangkabau's culture. Islam culture was brought to Minangkabau, West Sumatra by merchants from Arabia and Persia simultaneously with the coming of Islamic teaching to this country in the 14th century. All the dancer commonly become absorbed in their dynamic movements while beating the Indang so as give rhythm to the movements and the song. They sing together along with dance. All the words of the song are usually about the history of the prophet Muhammad or advice according to Islam teaching. Now a days the also give general advice. 

Umbrella Dance

• Bendi is the local name for two wheel horse drawn cart which can take 3 to 4 passengers. This old fashioned vehicle is very popular for short distance transportation on villages as well as in towns. It is a custom for a newly married couple to visit their close relatives or to go to picnic places for the pleasure for e few days the wedding. The use Bendi as the Have to Pass small paths in villages. This dance descry ibes a newly married couple and their companions go to Sunga Tanang a scenic place for a honeymoon, locates on the slopes of mount Merapi near Bukittinggi. The umbrella is a symbol of the protection given by the bridegroom to his new bride.

Selendang Dance

• Selandang is kind of shawl. This dance is usually done by youngsters at a party or feast just for pleasure. Wearing a shawl, and Malay style dress does not mean that the dance is influenced by the Malay culture. It is an original Minangkabau dance for the Minangkabau tribe and it is said to originate from the Malay race. Also the music accompanying the dance resembles Malay music

Ragam Andalas Dance 

• This is a combination of various dances from different parts of Sumatra which is also known as Andalas Island. It starts with a traditional dance from Aceh, and then goes to East Sumatra or Deli, Tapanuli, Riau, West Sumatra, Jambi, South Sumatra, and finally ends with dance from Lampung a province at the very tip of South Sumatra. The dance done by boys and girls in pairs is very energetic, and dynamic in nature.

Aceh

• Banda Aceh- the provincial capital with a population now exceeding 200,000 inhabitants, divided into two main regions by the Sungai Krueng Aceh river. There really are tourist attractions and landmarks galore in Banda Aceh, such as the gleaming Mesjid Raya Baiturrahman (Baiturrahman Mosque), the remains of Gunongan, the Dutch cemetery of Kherkhof, the lively Pasar Aceh Central Market, various Tsunami landmarks, and the acclaimed Museum Negeri Banda Aceh. At night, the colourful Pasar Malam Rek food market is not to be missed and is based on the corner of the Jalan Khairil Anwar and the Jalan Ahman Yani. 

• Banyak Islands - a group of around 100 mainly uninhabited islands, which sit roughly 30 km / 19 miles to the west of Singkil. Literally translated as the 'Many Islands', the Banyaks are around a four-hour boat trip from Singkil's port. Accommodation is available on just a few of the Banyak Islands, such as Balai, Palambak Kecil, Panjang, Rangit Besar and Ujung Batu.

• Gayo Highlands - with stunning mountain panoramas and large areas of countryside and fields. The attractions within the Gayo Highlands all tend to be natural and include the Buffalo Caves (Loyang Koro) and the Simpang Balik hot spring, close to the town of Takengon. Blangkejeran is another notable town here and is well placed for guided tours of nearby local Sumatran villages. Gunung Leuser National Park - a diverse forest and world-famous national park. 

• The Gunung Leuser National Park contains an immense array of Indonesian flora and fauna, including many endangered animals, such as elephants, orangutans, rhinos, tigers and more besides. Primates are more widespread in the park and it is quite likely that you will encounter the Thomas Leaf Monkey, which sports a crest and white front. The Alas Valley is where most tourists head, particularly to the village of Gurah, where outdoor attractions and countless different jungle trek packages are on offer.

• Lampuuk / Lhok Nga - popular coastal destinations located on the westerly coast of Aceh, with glorious beaches and simple accommodation.

• Pulau Simeulue - an isolated island lying approximately 150 km / 93 miles to the west of Tapaktuan, with dense rainforests and coconut plantations. The island of Pulau Simeulue is rarely frequented by tourists, although the surfing opportunities here are renowned, especially at the Baneng Beach Retreat.

• Pulau Weh - an attractive island, with an interesting village and first-rate beaches, at Iboih and Gapang. Sabang is the main township of Pulau Weh and also serves as a port. Attractions around Sabang come in the form of the Pantai Kasih, the Pantai Paridiso and the Pantai Sumur Tiga beaches. 

• Tapaktuan - a sleepy and relaxed seaside resort which is located around 200 km / 124 miles to the south of Meulaboh, where it is the principal town within South Aceh. The majority of sights to see in Tapaktuan reside along its coastal road of Jalan Merdeka. Outside of Tapaktuan, innumerable attractions offer themselves to tourists, such as the Kluet part of the Gunung Leuser National Park, the beaches of Pantai Air Dingin and Pantai Tui Lhok, the Dark Cave (Gua Kelam), and the port of Singkil, which is the departure point for the Banyak Islands and Pulau Simeulue.

West Sumatera

• Air Manis - a charming fishing village close to Padang and on the southerly side of the Sungai Batang Arau river. The nearby dark sandy beach is the top attraction that Air Manis has to offer.

•  Bukittinggi - a market town surrounded by a very verdant volcanic landscape, with a scenic background comprising the mountains of Merapi, Sago and Singgalang. The tourist strip in Bukittinggi is based around the Jalan Ahmad Yani. Attractions in Bukittinggi include the Pasar Atas market, the Benteng Fort (Benteng de Kock), the Taman Bundo Kandung Zoo, the Japanese Caves (Gua Jepang), the Big Clock Tower (Jam Gadang) and the Taman Panorama, which has breathtaking vistas across the Sianok Canyon (Ngarai Sianok). Further sightseeing options around Bukittinggi are available and include the handicraft villages of Koto Gadang and Pandai Sikat, the Batang Palupuh Nature Reserve, the Lembah Anai Nature Reserve, the Gunung Merapi volcano, and the village of Silinduang, where the Rumah Gadang Pagaruyung (King's Palace)is to be found. 

•  Danau Maninjau - an awesome and very photogenic lake, with jaw-dropping mountain scenery and endless vantage points.

• Harau Valley - a tiny village encircled by green rice paddies and areas of jungle to the north-east of Payakumbuh. The Harau Valley is where the much-visited Lamba Harau waterfalls are to be found. Gibbons can often be heard howling in the neighbouring jungle.

• Kerinci Valley - an area of extreme natural beauty, lying within the Bukit Barisan and alongside the westerly border of Jambi. Attractions in the Kerinci Valley include the tea plantations at the Kayo Aro Estate, the village of Kersik Tua, the town of Sungaipenuh, and also the vast Kirinci Seblat National Park, which is Sumatra's biggest and home to the Gunung Kerinci volcano, the lakes of Danau Gunung Tujuh and Danau Kerinci, and the Sengering Caves - including the Gua Tiangko.

• Mentawai Islands - an island chain which had virtually no contact with the outside world until the 20th century and believed to have been separated from mainland Sumatra some 500,000 years ago. Siberut is the biggest of the Mentawai Islands and the most densely populated, and is now classed as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, with the westerly side of the island being dominated by the Siberut National Park. The Mentawai Islands is famed for both its exceptional surf breaks and also its sizeable primate population, including groups of rare black-and-yellow Siamang Kerdil monkeys. 

• Padang - a large and modern city with a population of around 900,000 people, with good ongoing transportation connections to destinations such as Jakarta,Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and Singapore. Central Padang is relatively compact and easy to get around, with some interesting attractions based within its historical Old Quarter, along the Jalan Batang Arau. Close by and on the Jalan Diponegoro, look out for the Adityawarman Museum, and the Taman Budaya Cultural Centre, or take a stroll along the beachfront promenade and enjoy the views. Padang is also a good starting point for excursions to the Mentawai Islands and the Pantai Bungus beach.

Bengkulu

• Bengkulu - the provincial capital, with a population of approximately 400,000 residents. The city of Bengkulu offers many coastal attractions, with its historical Benteng Marlborough fortress overlooking the Indian Ocean and being much photographed by tourists and day trippers, as well as the Bung Karno Mosque (Mesjid Jamik). Pantai Panjang is the main beach in Bengkulu, while for reminders of the strong British influences in the past, check out the Thomas Parr Monument and the Inggris Monument.

•  Northern Bengkulu - offering a host of attractions along the coast road, the Jalan Manusurai Pantai, which heads in a northerly direction between Bengkulu and Padang. Towns of note within the Northern Bengkulu region include Curup, Ipuh, Lais and Mukomuko, while the Gunung Kaba volcano is also likely to be of interest and features two smouldering craters and is encompassed by a lush rainforest jungle.

•  Pulau Enggano - an isolated island sited around 100 km / 62 miles from southerly Bengkulu, covering around 675 square kilometres / 260 square miles. Whilst facilities for tourists are relatively nonexistent, there are some gorgeous beaches with good snorkelling opportunities. The main harbour on Pulau Enggano is Malakoni.