Betawi Mask Dance

Betawi Mask

Jakarta native community or known as Betawi have many arts, one of which is the Betawi mask. Betawi mask at least has three main elements:  music, dance, and theater. Dances are contained in what is called Betawi mask is called Betawi mask dance. Betawi mask dance has a lot of musical accompaniment. Betawi mask grow at the edges of Jakarta. Usually held when there is a wedding, circumcision ceremony and be fulfilled. In Betawi mask, the dancers wear masks and storytelling through the art of motion. Betawi mask dances now been developed. So the Betawi dance even more diverse.

According to the figures of Betawi people, technically there are three requirements that must be met by a Betawi masked dancers to produce a proper and correct movement for the realization of the unity of aesthetically and harmonious body movement that is pleasing namely gandes (flexible), teaching (cheerful), and agile without any load dancing. In addition, there are other provisions that must be met during this dance namely mendek, dongko, ngengkreg, madep, megar, ngepang and others.

Why use a "mask"? This is because in the past the Betawi people assume masks have magical powers. Besides being able to resist reinforcements, also considered able to eliminate the grief due to death, illness, or other disaster. In addition, the Betawi people are using different approaches regarding the term mask. Perhaps for many people, the mask is a cover of the face (balaclava). However, not for the Betawi people. Betawi people using the "mask" as part of the show.

During its development now, Betawi mask dance emerged performances as a separate, now we know all kinds of Betawi mask dances like lipet gandes dance, single mask dance, enjot-enjotan dance, gegot dance, beautiful mask dance, princess mask dance, expression mask dance, kang aji dance, and many others. This dynamic dance may crack open the possibility of further development without removing the source of inspiration and the spirit which is the betawi mask dance. Many of the emergence of a new choreographer helped develop Betawi mask dance with creativity, so comes the creation of new dances like ngarojeng dance, dance doger amprok dance, gitek balen dance who produced by the dancers.

Especially for the Betawi people, Betawi masks used in ritual life that is considered to be important enough, such as weddings and circumcisions. In both ritual, Betawi mask held to enliven the  party. In addition, the mask Betawi also held with the purpose of paying vows. Despite having to pay dearly for a gig Betawi mask, but it seems it doesn't matter. "Let overdrawn, famous origin" as an expression of a particular society Betawi image in maintaining social status. Well, if the owner of the party has intent to hold the Betawi mask, he first paid panjer (down payment) on the group that has been selected. Once there is agreement fees, drawbacks will be paid the morning after the party. The money is taken from donation envelope from the guests who attended.

With the changing times, it seems Betawi mask have also undergone significant changes. Noted there are five forms of change caused by the order of time in history: 

1. The essence of the sacred and magical mask no longer a motivation for those who have the intention. Mask no longer serves as a repellent reinforcements or vows for children who are ill. Today, Betawi people have more confidence in the hospital or clinic to treat someone who is sick. 
2. The performances are held within the tradition of the wedding and circumcision, also experienced a shift to a more national events. 
3. The diversity of aesthetic that emerged between the Betawi people began to disappear due to the influx of migrants Betawi people. Including various forms of disguise which shows the diversity of the mask, slowly disappeared.
4. The duration of the performing arts in the shift. If in the past (the 70's) has continued until 4 am, over time the shift duration, are now at least in 3 am must be completed. This is because the people must be prepared for the Fajr prayer so as not to oversleep. 
5. The narrative performances mask no longer the theme of poverty in these areas landlords, and have switched to using a national issue that is sometimes a certain of political legitimacy. 

Can be felt, the historical development of the times has changed the sequence of Betawi masks. Not just physically but also ideological.

In other words, there has been a growth in cultural diversity, in this case the diversity Betawi mask performances. That is understandable, given the ownership of the Betawi culture, is now not only belong to the Betawi people, but also owned the newcomers who want to preserve Betawi culture in its time.

betawi mask