Mythical Battle of Ponorogo

Beyond our scientific mind, people still believe about what invisible but has strong power. This local belief influenced our daily life in the form of cultural things. However it is also happening in Indonesia where you can find diversity especially in its culture. The interesting one is Reog, a traditional Indonesian dance from East Java. Amongst any kinds of Reog in Indonesia, the most prominent are Reog Ponorogo from Eastern side of Java Island and Reog Sunda from Western side of Java Island.

Both Reog often equalized regarding to its name but there is no connection between them. Reog Ponorogo often regarded to the origin of Reog rather than others. Ponorogo city itself displays Warok and Gemblak figures on its entrance. Warok delivered a mythical feature, Singa Barong as it called Barongsai in Chinese culture. Warok is regarding to local hero in this village that has spiritual and physical strength while Gemblak reflects a handsome teenage boy who wearing colorful clothes. Now Gemblak usually danced by female dancer.

Reog Ponorogo consists of three dance parts in which these important figures hold their important role. In the opening dance, you will enjoy the performance of Bujang Anom, a rough youthful men wearing red mask. Then Jaran Kepang dance following the first part by Jatil as it was performed by Gemblak. The third part is displaying all of Reog dancer when warok dancer bringing a heavy lion mask and others dancers are circling it. Reog Ponorogo itself delivers an interesting story about a mythical battle between Ponorogo King and Singa Barong. This magical dance shows a traditional Kejawen spiritual as it still remains until now. However the extraordinary point lies in Singa Barong dancer who wears a heavy mask with 30-40 kg weight by his teeth.

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