The Soul of NTT

Tebe, a communal dance of Belu and Malaka, is performed in weddings, harvest celebrations, and as acts of gratitude, with participants singing and stomping in unison while holding hands

The performance ends with dancers sitting together to share food, symbolizing unity. Historically, it commemorated returning warriors and fosters social solidarity

Tari Likurai is the most iconic traditional dance of the Belu people in West Timor, performed by women who beat small double-headed drums (tihar) strapped to their bodies while dancing in formation. Historically, Tari Likurai was performed to welcome warriors returning from battle — the drumbeats mimicking the heartbeat of triumph, and the dance celebrating survival and victory. Today it is performed at important ceremonies, national events, and cultural festivals across NTT.

What makes Tari Likurai distinctive is the intimate relationship between dancer and instrument: the tihar drum is not just an accessory but an extension of the dancer's body, beaten with the right hand while the left hand is free for gesture. The choreography involves groups of women moving in synchronized patterns, advancing and retreating, with the drums building to a crescendo that fills the ceremonial space with energy. Tari Likurai was prominently featured at the 2018 Fulan Fehan Festival in Belu, a major annual cultural event celebrating the heritage of West Timor.