kepang

Kepang, in Indonesian, means braid or plait. It is commonly used to describe a hairstyle created by weaving hair into two or more interlaced strands. In Indonesia, kepang hairstyles vary from simple three-strand plaits to more elaborate cornrow-like patterns, and may hold social or ceremonial significance in certain communities.

In addition to its meaning in hairstyling, kepang appears in the name of a traditional Javanese dance called Kuda Kepang or Jaran Kepang. This trance dance uses horse-shaped bamboo figures on which dancers perform; groups wear bright costumes and often display horsehair manes or braided hairstyles to imitate horses. The performance is accompanied by percussion and gamelan music, and in some instances dancers are believed to enter trance or be possessed by spirits, a belief that is a feature of some troupes or communities. The practice is especially associated with Central and East Java, and has historical roots in rural communities where it served entertainment, ritual, and social cohesion.

In modern Indonesia, kepang and Kuda Kepang are regarded as cultural heritage. They are taught by community groups and performed at festivals, ceremonies, and in cultural exhibitions, with some groups focusing on historical storytelling while others emphasize spiritual or ritual aspects.

The term “kepang” thus encompasses both a hairstyle and a traditional performance practice in Indonesian culture.