Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Reyog, The Legend of Bantarangin

The earlier Reyog Dance Performance in 1920
(Doc : Tropen Museum )
Reog is a traditional dance that become  the main identity for Ponorogo Regency. National Reog Festival is held every year along with the anniversary of Islamic New Year in Ponorogo regency as the Grebeg Suro celebration. Reog dance is also staged nightly on the full moon in main stage at Ponorogo town square. 

Reog tells the story about the struggle of a prince who will propose to a beautiful princess. Reog Ponorogo tells the story of a mythical battle between the King of Ponorogo and the magical lion-like creature called Singa Barong.

Reyog in earlier time - In a number of dance performances, known by different indigenous names (for kuda kepang and jathilan) are literally rode stick horses. Partly the horse dance has the character of a tournament, part of a trance dance, and is considered a shamanistic relic. Such performance has been and is often combined with other elements such as mask displays and native orchestras. In the picture depicted the story tiger Rajawana must be defused by 144 horsemen led by Bujangganong. (P. Orchard, 2001). The left figure represents mask Prob. Kelana Sewandana for which the court is certainly Pentul or Penthul.

Reyog in modern time The Reog dance of Ponorogo involves a lion figure known as the singa barong. Singa Barong is a large mask usually made from a tiger's or leopard's head skin, on the mask is a large fan adorned with real peafowl feathers. The great mask spans over 2.5 meters with genuine tiger skin and real peacock feathers. It has gained international recognition as the world's largest mask.
The Singa Barong mask is notoriously heavy and the dancer of the Singa Barong has to carry the mask of about 30 – 40 kg in weight and is supported by single dancer with the strength of their teeth.

The leading figures in Reog Ponorogo performance includes:

Klono Sewandono, A man in regal attire wearing a mask with a proud and pompous dance and plays the role as the King of Ponorogo

Bujang Anom also known as Pentul, are rough youthful men wearing red masks, they perform acrobatic dances and sometimes also involve trances.

Jathil, the youthful and handsome men riding horses made of weaved bamboo, similar to the Kuda Lumping dance. Today, Jathil is usually performed by female dancers.

Warok, plays as the Singa Barong, the mythical creature. The one who is allowed to perform this dance is called warok. A warok is the honorary title of the local hero or strongman of the village who possesses both exceptional spiritual and physical strength. The dance itself is a demonstration of physical strength.






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Reyog, The Legend of Bantarangin
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