2. Paul Christensen: Modernity and Spirit Possession in Java

Abstract The Javanese horse dance form jathilan has remained popular in the surrounds of the island's city Yogyakarta. The dance persists despite on-going attempts by both the Indonesian state and prominent Muslim leaders to dismiss the dance form as unsuitable for the modern world. This paper introduces jathilan before presenting the state's, religious leaders' and finally performers' own interpretations of it. The different readings and understandings of the dance form reflect and illustrate wider religious, political and social debates in Indonesian society today.

ISSN 2196-6893