The Jakarta Jitters
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
The Jakarta Jitters (J5x32) 2 Chords 5-Couple Straight Set. Andrew Roberts1s, 3s and 5s start on opposite side.
1- 8 1s and 3s cross and cast, then dance left shoulder around 1st corner, ending up facing 3rd corner.
9-12 1s and 3s pass and turn with 3rd corners then pass right shoulder to face 4th corners. 13-16 1s and 3s pass and turn with 4th corners ending in 2nd or 4th place on their own side.
17-24 1s and 3s cross giving RH, cast down behind 4s or 5s, dance up in front of 4s or 5s and cast up behind 2s or 4s into 1st or 3rd place on original side.
25-28 1s and 2s and also 3s and 4s dance half rights and lefts.
29-32 1s and 4s and also 3s and 5s dance half rights and lefts.
(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Andrew Roberts)
Dance Information
Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, lies on the north-west coast of Java and is officially designated as the Special Region of Jakarta. Although the province itself is small, its metropolitan area is vast, extending into neighbouring cities and housing more than 32 million people, making it one of the largest urban regions globally.The city has a long history, beginning with early settlements around 400 BC, later serving as the port of Sunda Kelapa. It was renamed Jayakarta in 1527 after local forces defeated the Portuguese, and became Batavia under Dutch rule in 1619. Following Japanese occupation in the Second World War, it was renamed Jakarta and declared the capital after Indonesian independence in 1949.
Jakarta is the country's political and economic hub, hosting government institutions, the central bank, the stock exchange, and the ASEAN Secretariat. Its economy is among the largest in Southeast Asia, and its diverse population reflects migration from across the archipelago.
The city faces major challenges, including flooding, congestion, and rapid subsidence, which has prompted plans to relocate the national capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan. Jakarta, however, will remain a key centre with ongoing investment in infrastructure.
Its tropical monsoon climate brings heavy rainfall, particularly in January and February, and the city is traversed by thirteen rivers. Landmarks such as the National Monument, Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, and the old port of Sunda Kelapa highlight its cultural and historical significance, while modern skyscrapers and stadiums showcase its rapid development.
"Jitters" means a feeling of nervousness, anxiety, or unease, often with physical signs like trembling or restlessness.
People commonly say they've "got the jitters" before an exam, a performance, or a big event. It's informal, usually plural, and can be triggered by stress, excess caffeine or perhaps visiting an unfamiliar city.
Synonyms include "nerves," "butterflies," and "the shakes." The term has been used since the early 20th century in colloquial English.
Jakarta Skyline From Semanggi
Published in The Jakarta Jitters, reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Andrew Roberts, 2025.
This page uses content under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, along with original copyrighted content and excerpts from Wikipedia and other sources.
Text from this original Jakarta article on Wikipedia.
Image from Nasarapa, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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