The Politics and Poetics of Authenticity Indonesian Migrant Women and Cultural Representation in Perth, Australia

This article provides a novel analysis of how a marginalised Indonesian marriage migrant dance group, in Perth Australia, engage with an Indonesian transnational discourse of 'authentic' cultural performance. The story of this Indonesian amateur housewife dance group and their performance of a generic Indonesian boat dance that became a Madurese fisherman folk dance, shows how they can express both political and poetic forms of of authenticity. They attribute cultural identification to their dance which is a strategically essentialising act. They also enjoy the dance movement which they embody, some according to their beliefs in certain stereotypes, which is a poetic experience and manifestation of authenticity. Thus, the article argues for alternative ways Anthropologist can address the discourse of authenticity.