For this choreography Aafke was inspired by the ‘rites de passage’ that are commonly practiced on the Indonesian island of Bali, where she lived for five years. A child on its way to adulthood goes through many stages. In Balinese culture these are thoroughly marked by many elaborate ceremonies. 

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It is only after 210 days that a newborn child on Bali for the first time touches the ground. This marks the stage that it leaves the divine world and enters that of human beings. In the period preceding this ceremony its family members lovingly carried the child. Once on the ground and through the following years it slowly starts to realize that sometimes it has to leave old and familiar paths in order to take new steps that will lead you to a new and fresh place.

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Jatuh Bisu / Falling in Silence was performed in the presence of princess Máxima (now queen of The Netherlands) for the opening of Kosmopolis / House of Cultures (2006) in the World Museum Rotterdam and for the opening of the World Music and Dance Centre Rotterdam (2006).