ART REOG of PONOROGO, EAST JAVA

Reog is one of the cultural arts from East Java and northwest of the town of Ponorogo regarded as the true origin Reog. Ponorogo city gate was decorated by warok and gemblak figure, two figures who had appeared at the time reog displayed. Reog is one of the regional culture in Indonesia is still very strong with things mystical and powerful mystic.

History :

Basically there are five versions of the popular story that developed in the community about the origins Reog and Warok, but one of the most famous story is the story of the rebellion Ki Ageng Flea, a royal servant during Bhre Kertabhumi, the last king of Majapahit who ruled in the nineteenth century -15. Ki Ageng Flea wrath will strongly influence from the Chinese partner in the government and the king, the king of a corrupt behavior, he saw that the power of the Majapahit kingdom will end. He then left the king and established the university where he taught young children martial arts, science self immunity, and the science of perfection in the hope that young children will become the seed of the Majapahit kingdom rise again later. Realizing that his army is too small to fight the royal troops Ki Ageng political message conveyed by fleas Reog performing arts, which is a "hint" to the king and his kingdom Kertabumi Bra. Cultural Reog a way Ki Ageng Flea local communities to build resistance using Reog popularity.

Reog performance shown in the shape of lion-head masks, known as the 'Lion Barong ", the king of the forest, which became the symbol for Kertabumi, and above attached peacock feathers to resemble a giant fan that symbolize the strong influence of his Chinese colleagues who set up all the motion - bearing. Jatilan, played by groups of dancers who gemblak horse riding became a symbol of the strength of troops into the kingdom of Majapahit contrast ratio warok strength, which is behind the red clown mask that became the symbol for Ki Ageng Lice, alone and support the weight of the mask reaches more singabarong of 50kg using only his teeth. Ki Ageng Reog popularity eventually led Kertabumi Lice take action and attack the school, the rebellion by warok quickly resolved, and universities to continue teaching prohibited to warok. But the students remained lice Ki Ageng continue secretly. Even so, Reognya own art is still allowed to be staged because the show has become popular among the people, but the story has a new line where the added characters from folklore Kelono Sewondono Ponorogo ie, Goddess Songgolangit, and Sri Genthayu.

Official version Reog Ponorogo storyline now is the story of King Ponorogo daughter who intend applying for Kediri, Dewi Ragil Yellow, but amid the journey he was intercepted by King Singabarong from Kediri. Singabarong king's army consists of peacocks and lions, while the part of the kingdom of King Ponorogo Kelono and deputy Bujanganom, escorted by warok (men dressed in black in the dance), and warok has a deadly black magic. The whole dance is a dance of war between the kingdom and the kingdom of Kediri Ponorogo, and pitted black magic between them, the dancers in a state of 'trance' while performing the dance.

Until now people Ponorogo only follow what their ancestral heritage as a cultural inheritance which is very rich. In the experience of art is the copyright Reog human creations that form the existing faiths were hereditary and awake. The ceremony also use terms that are not easy for lay people to meet without a clear lineage. they embrace Parental lineage and customary law which is still valid.

Performance Art Reog : 

Modern Reog usually performed in several events such as weddings, circumcision and the days of the National. Art Reog Ponorogo consists of a series of 2 to 3 dances opening. The first dance is usually performed by brave men 6-8 with black clothes, with faces painted red. These dancers represent the brave lion figure. Next is a dance performed by a 6-8 girl horse. In traditional reog, dancers are usually played by male dancers who dressed woman. This dance is called dance lesson braids, which should be distinguished from other dances are lumping horse dance. Other opening dance if there is usually a dance by a little boy who brought the funny scenes.

After the opening dance finished, the new core scenes show the contents of which depend on the conditions under which art is displayed reog. If marriage is associated with the display is love scene. For celebration circumcision or circumcision, is usually a story warrior,

The scene in the art reog usually do not follow a neat scenario. Here there is always interaction between the player and the puppeteer (usually the leader of the group) and sometimes with the audience. Sometimes a player's performances can be replaced by another player when the player is tired. The more overlooked in the performance reog art is to give satisfaction to the audience.

The final scene is a lion barong, where the actors wore masks shaped head of a lion with a crown made of peacock feathers. Weight mask can reach 50-60 kg. This heavy mask carried by the dancers with their teeth. The ability to bring this mask than obtained with heavy exercise, is also believed diproleh with spiritual exercises such as fasting and asceticism

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