TEDxJakarta - Didik Nini Thowok - Cross Gender Dancer, Overcoming Discriminations and Sings of Love.

Summary

The speaker, a cross-gender dancer of Indonesian descent, shares his journey of overcoming discrimination due to his mixed heritage and career choice. He highlights the art of cross-gender performance in various cultures, including Kabuki's Konagata and Indonesia's Ludruk and Arjen Wani. Despite societal pressures and insults, he persevered, mastering his craft and collaborating with global artists. He emphasizes the universality of love and equality, as seen through the lens of his faith, and concludes with a song, 'Teach us, Your language of love,' reflecting his belief in unity and the power of art to bridge divides.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The speaker discusses the art of cross-gender performance in various cultures, including Kabuki's Konagata and Indonesian traditional arts like Ludruk and Arjen Wani.
• 🌍 They mention the Bissu priest from Sulawesi, highlighting the diversity of gender roles in Indonesian culture.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker identifies as a Chinese-Indonesian man who has experienced discrimination due to their mixed heritage and for performing as a woman in dance.
• 🗣️ They faced societal pressure and discrimination for their cross-gender performances when starting in 1974, a time when such traditions were not widely accepted.
• 🤣 The speaker uses humor to cope with life's challenges and to address serious topics like political situations in Indonesia.
• 💃 They emphasize the skill and technique required for men to convincingly portray women in performance arts, which involves learning behaviors and mannerisms.
• 🌟 Despite the challenges, the speaker has found success and acceptance, collaborating with artists from around the world.
• 🙏 The speaker believes in the power of love, particularly God's love, as a unifying force that transcends differences in gender, religion, and nationality.
• 🎤 They share their personal journey and the importance of perseverance, ending with a song that encapsulates their message of love and unity.
• 👏 The audience's reactions, including laughter and applause, indicate the speaker's ability to engage and connect with the audience through their storytelling and performance.

Q & A

What is the term 'Konagata' in Japanese performing arts?

Konagata refers to a male actor playing the role of a female in the Japanese performing art of Kabuki.

What is the significance of 'Takarasuka' in the context of Japanese theater?

Takarasuka is a form of Japanese theater where all the actors are female.

Can you name a form of cross-gender art from Central Java, Indonesia?

In Central Java, Indonesia, 'Ludruk' is a form of cross-gender art.

What is 'Arjen Wani' in Balinese culture?

Arjen Wani is a Balinese form of art where all the actors are male.

What is 'Landai' and where is it traditionally performed?

Landai is a form of art from Sumatra, Indonesia, where traditionally male actors play the role of females.

Who are the 'Bissu' priests and where are they from?

Bissu priests are from Sulawesi, Indonesia, and are known for their magical powers. They are traditionally of a non-binary gender.

What is unique about the Bissu priest named Ma' Temi?

Ma' Temi was the only magically powerful female Bissu priest, which is unique as Bissu priests are traditionally non-binary.

How does the speaker describe their cultural background?

The speaker describes themselves as a Chinese descendant with an Indonesian culture, particularly from Java, Bali, Sunda, and Jawa.

What challenges did the speaker face as a cross-gender performer in the 1970s?

The speaker faced discrimination, pressure, teasing, and insults from society as a man playing the role of a woman in the 1970s.

What is the speaker's perspective on love and equality?

The speaker believes in the language of love and that in God's eyes, all are equal regardless of gender, religion, nation, or race.

How does the speaker view the art of cross-gender performance?

The speaker views cross-gender performance as an art form that requires mastering specific techniques and is not easy to learn, especially for men playing female roles.

What does the speaker suggest about the potential of cross-gender performers?

The speaker suggests that cross-gender performers can portray roles more accurately because they have to learn and master the nuances of the opposite gender's behavior.