Keeping the beat for ancient tradition

TOPSHOT - This photo taken on September 10, 2023 shows Rianto, a choreographer-dancer of Lengger Lanang, the Indonesian cross-dressing folk art who is also founder of the Kendalisada Art Festival, posing during the festival in Kaliori, Banyumas, Central Java. The Lengger Lanang dance tradition, rooted in 16th-century fertility and harvest rituals from Central Java province, was once a highly revered folk art where performers were idolised and respected as performers able to embody both genders. But it is being challenged as prejudice grows against anything perceived as queer-related. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) / To Go with AFP story Indonesia-culture-dance-gender, FOCUS by Dessy Sagita and Arbi Anugrah

Dancer Rianto moves gracefully in front of a crowd of thousands in the capital Jakarta, whipping his orange sash and in full make-up as he performs a centuries-old folk dance frowned upon by conservatives.

The Lengger Lanang dance tradition is rooted in 16th-century fertility and harvest rituals from Central Java province.