Reog Ponorogo, a Unique-cultural Heritage

Reog Ponorogo is a hereditary culture that lives in Ponorogo city, Province East Java, Indonesia. It’s a traditional show original from Indonesia. It’s registered in UNESCO as cultural heritage from Indonesia. It’s a unique dance that often connected to mystic things.

Reog Ponorogo show is connected to a legend. It’s about a king, Prabu Kelana Sewandana that looking for a wife. He is accompanied by his minister, Patih Bujang Ganong, and also his soldiers and his cavalry. Prabu Sewandana makes a marriage proposal to a princess from Kediri Kingdom, Dewi Sanggalangit. The princess makes a requirement in order the king create a new show. So Reog Ponorogo created.

Dances of Reog Ponorogo have philosophy value deeply. Those are describing human behavior, since born, live until dead.

There are 5 dancers component in Reog Ponorogo show:

•  A dancer with wing and red mask. He has a whip named Pecut Samandiman. The dancer describe Prabu Sewandana
• A dancer with red mask and vest. His body is shorter. He is funny. The dancer describes Patih Bujangganong that genius and mercurial. The dancer sometimes is a child
• Jathilan: a group of dancer with kuda kepang, a bamboo matting formed horse. They are describe cavalry
• Warok: knight. The dancers have bigger body
• Pembarong: someone use a big mask named Sigobarong (Dadak Merak). Singobarong is mask of lion head with peacock fur.

The most interesting in Reog Ponorogo show are Warok and Singobarong.

Warok is a characteristic of Ponorogo people that derived from their ancestor. Warok is from word wewarah. Mean someone has holy-strong will and wide knowledge. He gives lesson and protection selfless.

Singobarong has 50-60 kg weight. That’s why singobarong dancer (pembarong) must be strong. Because he must hold up the mask with his teeth all along show. Yes, with his teeth! The most exciting is when Pembarong  dances and moves.

The show that performed by 20-30 dancers is accompanied by traditional music. The musicians play traditional instruments so you will hear something mystic, unique and exotic.

Now Reog Ponorogo only showed certain program, like marriage party, National Day, or other anniversary.

(Images from Google)