Reog Ponorogo

Reog is a traditional Indonesian dance which combined traditional art dance with magical show. There are many type of Reogs in Indonesia, but the most famous one is Reog Ponorogo.

The origin story reog ponorogo developed in the society there are several versions but the official version reog ponorogo storyline at the moment is about the King Ponorogo who intend applying princess Kediri, at one time the king Ponorogo namely Kelana Sewandana escorted by Patih Bujanganom and Warok troops  (men who have magic powers with characteristic black clothes) want to apply a princess of the royal kediri named Dewi Sanggalangit (Dewi Ragil Kuning), but the way the king ponorogo intercepted by Singo Barong the forest guards Lodaya. This Singo Barong troops consists of peacocks and lions, and at that time there was fierce fighting between warok troops from the kingdom of ponorogo with Singo Barong troops. Battle of these two forces which is considered as one source of reference for dance performances reog ponorogo.

The last scene in this reog ponorogo dance is Singo Barong scene, where the dancers wear masks lion-shaped head with a crown made of peacock feathers. Weight mask can reach 60-70 kg. heavy mask is carried by the dancers only with teeth. The ability to bring these masks in addition to obtained with a strenuous workout, also obtained by spiritual practices like fasting and isolate oneself (penance). Many people believe the Reog dance has mythical power since the dancers usually perform in trance condition.

Arts reog almost uniformly held throughout the regency of ponorogo, East Java, Indonesia, but to place and time performances that are routinely tourists can see it in ponorogo downtown.

Topeng Dance

Topeng (mask) dance or Mask dance is a traditional dance originating from the city of Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia. Topeng dance created by Sunan Gunung Jati, at the time of yore started when Sunan Gunung Jati become cirebon king then came under fire from the prince Welang from karawang, prince welang very powerful because it has a sword named curug sewu, with its miracle that Sunan Gunung Jati could not match even though Sunan Gunung Jati had been aided by Sunan Kalijaga and prince cakrabuana. Finally Sunan Gunung jati decided to fight the supernatural powers prince welang it by diplomacy arts and dance groups formed.

This dance group danced by a beautiful woman named Nyi Mas Gandasari and the prince welang finally fall in love with Nyi Mas Gandasari and handed magic sword named curug sewu as proof of his love for Nyi Mas Gandasari, along with handover of the sword, Finally prince Welang also lost his power and then give in to Sunan Gunung Jati, prince Welang also promised to be faithful followers of Sunan Gunung Jati is characterized by the alternation of names into a prince Graksan.

Topeng Dance is then used as a medium of communication in spreading the religion of Islam by Sunan Gunung Jati in addition as well as for public entertainment.Topeng dance is played by one beautiful woman or several beautiful woman dancers, a sinden and some people who play a musical instrument accompaniment of rebab, kecrek, kulanter, ketuk, kendang, gong and bandhe. Dancers covered his face with masks while dancing that is why so-called Topeng (mask) dance. Clothing used in the mask dance is the Tokatoka, apok, kebaya, sinjang and ampreng.

Topeng dance is a fusion of dance arts, music and drama, one of the dance performance of this mask is a with story queen Kencana Wungu, a queen who refused to love prabu minakjingga. in this dance, queen Kencana Wungu played with used a blue mask that describes the character of the queen of clever and graceful, while prabu minakjingga played with used a red mask that describes a character ill-tempered, impatient and only use physical force only.

In the story the queen Kencana Wungu, dance masks were able to describe a wide range of characters a person such as personality, wisdom, leadership, love, crime and other aspects of life. various symbols found on the music that accompanied the dances and the masks are worn.

Along with the times the Topeng dance is now often shown on weddings, big events organized by local governments, circumcision and other celebration events.

Barong Dance

Barong dance is a cultural richness that comes from Bali - Indonesia, estimated this dance there before hindu coming to Indonesia, Barong Dance describes the struggle between virtue (dharma) and sleaze (adharma).

Barong is a character in the mythology of Bali. He is the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good, and enemy of Rangda in the mythological traditions of Bali. Banas Pati Rajah is the fourth "brother" or spirit child that accompanies a child throughout life. Banas Pati Rajah is the spirit which animates Barong. A protector spirit, he is often represented by a lion, and traditional performances of his struggles against Rangda are popular parts of Balinese culture. The Barong is often portrayed with two monkeys. source: wikipedia

Manifestation of virtue played by the Barong, which is a dancer with four-legged animal costumes, while the manifestations of evil portrayed by Rangda, that is a scary figure with two pointy fangs in his mouth.

There are actually several types of dance barong such as Barong Bangkal, Elephant Barong, Barong Asu and Barong Brutuk but that is often shown to tourists is Barong Ket because it has a complete costume and complete dances.

For those of you who want to watch the artistic culture of the Balinese Barong dance, you can come to the Gianyar regency, Bali, namely in Pura Dalem Ubud as well as in several places art galleries in the village of Batubulan.

Saman Dance

Saman dance is a tribal dance Gayo commonly displayed to celebrate important events in mores. Poem in dance saman use Arabic and Gayo language. This dance is also displayed to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW. in some literature mentions saman dance in Aceh was founded and developed by Sheikh Saman, a cleric who comes from the Gayo in southeast Aceh.

Saman dance played by a dozen men and women, but the numbers must be odd. Another opinion says this dance is danced more or less than 10 people, with details of the eight dancers and 2 as cue givers while singing. However, in the development of the modern era, which requires that a dance would be more lively when danced by a dancer with higher numbers. To adjust the various movements instituted a leader who called sheikh. In addition to regulate the movement of the dancers, Sheikh is also tasked to sing hymns saman song. namely ganit.

This dance reflects the educational, religious, good manners, heroism, solidarity and togetherness. players consist of men and women who are still young by wearing traditional clothes.

Saman dance usually displayed not use the accompaniment of musical instruments, but using the voice of the dancers and dancers applause that is usually combined with a pat of the hand to the chest and groin dancers as synchronization and threw the body in different directions. Because of the uniformity of formation and punctuality is a must in these dances, then the dancers are required to have a high concentration and a serious exercise in order to appear perfectly.

Saman dance will soon be recognized by UNESCO as cultural heritage, which is recognized is the original version which originated and developed in the Gayo, who danced by men. Indeed, in its development saman dance was adopted and developed, but still the original that have been registered to UNESCO. The plan, saman dance will be recognized and affirmed by the UNESCO as world cultural heritage in November 2011.