The mesmerising Gandrung Dance, the cultural treasure of Banyuwangi folks. Photos: RSN Murali
My knowledge of the Majapahit Empire was confined to what I learned from history books in school many years ago. But a visit to Banyuwangi in Indonesia’s East Java made me understand and discover a lot more about the kingdom’s contributions to the world, especially in South-East Asia.
Not surprisingly, the locals in Banyuwangi are proud of their culture and heritage, and hold their ancestors in high regard.
