Know and Understand About the Beauty of the Arts of East Java: Reog Ponorogo

If you hear “Ponorogo”, what is on your mind? Surely you will imagine the art that comes from the city that is “Reog Ponorogo”. Reog Ponorogo is a traditional art that comes from Ponorogo city, East Java.

This art history has many versions among the people. But the most popular version is the story of “King Ponorogo” who intends to apply for Kediri's daughter, “Dewi Ragil Kuning”, but on the way he was intercepted by Raja Singabarong from Kediri. Raja Singabarong's troops consist of peacock and lion, while from the Ponorogo Kingdom “King Kelono” and his Deputy “Bujang Anom”, escorted by “Warok” (men dressed in black in dance), and “Warok” has deadly black magic. The whole dance is a war dance between the “Kingdom of Kediri” and the “Kingdom of Ponorogo”, and complains black magic between the two, the dancers in a state of "possessed" while staging the dance.

In Reog Ponorogo there are some figures such as “Jathil”, “Warok”, “Barongan” and “Bujang Ganon”. In his performances, modern Reogs are usually staged in several events such as weddings, circumcisions and national holidays. Reog Ponorogo consists of several series of 2 to 3 opening dance. The first dance is usually performed by 6-8 brave men in black, with red face polished. These dancers portray a brave lion figure. Next, a dance performed by 6-8 girls riding horses. In traditional reog, the dancer is usually played by male dancers who dress in women. This dance is called jelly or “Jathilan Jaran Dance”, which must be distinguished by other dance art that is lumping horse dance. Other opening dances if there is usually a dance by a small child who brought a funny scene called “Bujang Ganong” or “Ganongan”. After the opening dance is over, a new core scene is displayed which depends on the conditions in which the art of reog is displayed. When it comes to marriage, the show is a romance scene.

Reog Ponorogo is a very interesting art, but neighboring country claims it as its own art. It is Malaysia. After “Pendet Dance”, they also claimed “Reog Ponorogo”. For that we as a young generation of Indonesia should always maintain the preservation of our culture.