Saman dance is a dance where the tribe of Gayo tribe is usually held when there are custom events or important events related to the culture of the place. The poem used in this dance applies the Gayo language itself. Besides that, usually saman dance is also displayed when there is a birthday celebration event of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Saman dance is maximized and established by Syekh Saman, a scholar from Gayo's Southeast Aceh. Saman dance has been set by UNESCO as one of the list of cultural heritage from Aceh which is found in the sixth session of intergovernmental committee on the protection of the cultural heritage of UNCESCO objects in Bali, precisely on November 24, 2011.
Originally viewed from a historical point of view, saman dance has existed since the 13th century and was re-developed by Sheikh Saman. Some, this saman dance is used as a medium to spread the Islamic religion also provides guidance, teaching, and teach about togetherness and compactness. Along with the development of contemporary times dance era has had a wider function again, is to become the entertainment show scene that became one of the wealth of tradition in Indonesia.
The Acehnese governor is Irwandi Yusuf, saying that Aceh's saman dance is to be shown to the World. also said that saman dance belongs to the world composed by Gayo Lues, not Aceh as a whole.
