Reog Ponorogo

Ponorogo Map (Province of East Java - INDONESIA)

An Indonesian traditional mask dance, which perform with tiger head and peacock in wide winged. These mask almost more than 50 kg heavy. Wearing by one man (called warok) by bite the wood inside the mask. It is impossible to normal teeth, that’s why almost warok on trance condition when dancing with this big heavy mask.

Video of Reog dance show from Londoireng

Reog Ponorogo, a mask dance Indonesian traditional culture

The origin story from Ponorogo.East Java. Once upon the time in Java (15century), the king of Ponorogo, King Kelono Sewandono marches with his loyal prime Patih (Prime Minister) Bujanganom to the kediri kingdom. The king and his warriors went to marry Dewi Ragil Kuning, the princess of kediri. When the group through in the jungle, they were attacked by Singabarong, a tiger king. The tiger king supported by many beast including tigers and peacocks. The legend said, the great peacock flew up and then down on the head of singabarong, spreading and flapping its wings to support the tiger king. Until having a great battle, the prime minister, bujanganom with his magical warrior called warok, defeat the beast army. And the tiger king and great peacock shielded into one form, and they were join with the king to the matrimony. It was a great battle, and now the tiger and peacock forming a wonderful mask.

On present day, the mask dance of reog performances as follows:

Dadak merak (the mask), represent singabarong and peacock. Dancing with holding the princess on the top.

Dadak Merak - Mask on Reog Dance

King Kelono Sewandono wearing a mask and a crown is a stylish dancer, Bujanganom also wearing a mask is an acrobatic dancer. They are representing their martial art. The warriors using a horses made from bamboo (Jaran kepang). These groups called Jatilan.

Bujang anom, elite warrior using smaller mask Reog mask at background

Jantilan dancers

And the most important is the magician who dealing with the magic matters. Remember, it is impossible for normal teeth to bite and hold the big heavy mask.

The Magician
"Dukun" in Indonesian languages

Karapan Sapi / Bull Race

Madura island

This race is from Madura Island, half hour Fery boat from Surabaya city, East java- Indonesia. The championship is for President Cup for annually. The drawing pool began from town of Bangkalan and Sampang, The final is in Pamekasan city, after harvest time. Generally held from September to October. The track of this races is about 100 meters or so, and the fastest bull is the winner.

Galleries of Karapan Sapi/Bull Race:

from : deniek sukarya

See the video from : eastjava.com

Wayang

The traditional puppet drama from java island. The origin of this puppet drama was from pre-historic until now. And still many Indonesian people (especially Javanese) love this. The word from of wayang is came form bayang or shadow, because at early ears of its show, wayang is appeared from behind of stretched white cloth. This shadow appear by fire from hanging coconut oil. At the early years wayang is using by ancient Javanese people to make “conversation” with the spirit or the ancestors.In 9 and 10 centuries, at the Hindu period, wayang is become a media to performances an epic, which is absorbed by the Indian cultures. Such as Ramayana and Mahabrata. At this age, the show of the wayang still using by painted stretched cloth. In Javanese language is call beber.

In the time of Islam period, wayang is not using the cloth any more. But, performed by a puppet which have some varieties. In Middle Java, Yogyakarta and East Java, the wayang are performed by two dimensional form made from leather and is called wayang kulit (leather). In West Java, the wayang formed by three dimensional carved wooden, is called Golek. Even wayang develop by performing this epic stories by human actors.

In wayang kulit (leather), the show is operated by the puppet master is called Dalang and the puppet master playing the wayang behind white screen, lighting by the lamp and the audiences can watch the wayang in otherside the screen. In wayang Golek show, the puppet master is playing the wayang behind and under the short square wooden stage. So the puppet can appear on the top. There a different character between wayang kulit and wayang golek. In wayang kulit the Punakawan family, the last son named Bagong which in wayang golek is Cepot. At the time of Hindu period, no story of Punakawan family.

See for more details : Wayang Indonesia


Wayang Beber



Wayang Kulit



Wayang Golek



Dalang Wayang Golek



Dalang Wayang Kulit