ABSTRACT
Whatever the philosophical and theological details, dance events address the nature of, and the relationship between, masculinity and femininity and aestheticize patterns of gender interaction to aid men in accumulating spiritual and political power. Femininity is developed in dance events as it relates to a hegemonic masculinity. The kinship of dance events to prostitution-a practice prohibited in most "modern" nations-made them the subject of increasing scrutiny. The ronggeng is addressed by a title-Nyi Ronggeng-rather than a personal name. The ground of the ronggeng image provides Doel Sumbang with a canvas on which to paint his own interpretations of the essential contradictions of Sundanese masculinity-sense and sensation, respectability and desire, and reason and passion. Sumbang, a popular Sundanese singer-songwriter, writes songs both in Sundanese and Indonesian languages. Female performers who sing and dance and consort sexually with male clients are encountered throughout Southeast Asian history and may be considered "an ancient and indigenous Indonesian entertainment.".
