Wayang Mask Jatiduwur [East Java]

Wayang Mask Dance Jatiduwur. Dancers perform Jatiwudur Mask Dance at Jatiwudur village in Jombang, East Java province. The performance was aimed to revitalise Jombang's traditional Jatiwudur mask dance from the 18th century which is in danger of extinction. 

Wayang (puppet) Mask Jatiduwur, 40 Years Buried

Yaud (46), a laborer Jatiduwur villagers, drenched in sweat after dancing Klono demonstrate the staging of "A Decade of Awakening Jatiduwur Wayang Mask", in the village Jatiduwur, District Kesamben, Jombang, East Java. Jatiduwur village, about 30 meters from the Brantas River basin, which is usually silent bells and whistles of the entertainment that night turned into public places like fairs. Dozens pitchman poured around the staging wayang mask Jatiduwur. There are peddling a variety of children's toys, bath ball arena games, and food and beverage.

"Watching wayang mask reminds me of the time of 'sunatan nanggap' puppet mask Jatiduwur. I am very happy wayang mask Jatiduwur alive again and we became a bustling village, "said Saripan (60), a resident of Jatiduwur who were enjoying the show that night. Not only Saripan, other residents also meet performance arena, ranging from children to adults. All the people watching the show who've rarely greet and entertain the people. "Staging wayang mask in order to commemorate the resurrection of Wayang Jatiduwur mask is already the fourth time in the village Jatiduwur," said the leader of the wayang mask Jatiduwur, Supriyo (54).

Reputedly, the wayang mask has been around since the nineteenth century with the figure Mbah Purwo (deceased), from Menganti, Gresik. He and his entourage traveled the world while singing and eventually settled in the village of Jatiduwur. "Mbah Purwo who introduced the wayang mask Jatiduwur after buying a set of masks from the village head of Anggis, from Betek, Mojoagung. The mask itself is derived from Trowulan, "said Supriyo. Supriyo, religion teacher at Elementary School Sumber Teguh, District Kudu, Jombang, adding, every time you walk past the house of one heir Jatiduwur mask, he recalled his childhood, when the Jatiduwur wayang mask arts heritage Mbah Purwo  was in response to people who currently have votive or said (promise).

"Iku nggone topeng biyen, eman banget kok yo gak enek sing nerusne (Javanese: Art puppet mask unfortunately no forward)," said Supriyo. The passage of time continues to roll until finally one family heir, Suhariyanto (deceased), a former chairman of the wayang mask Jatiduwur, offered him as well as asking him wayang mask Jatiduwur revived. "The offer was a mandate.  Then I gathered the family heir Jatiduwur wayang mask, and thank God they bless me to revive Jatiduwur wayang mask, "he added.

Not Easy
Difficulties after difficulties arose. Because the actors of wayang mask arts Jatiduwur many who died. Even if there are any left, they were already up.  And to revive the puppet arts Jatiduwur masks that have been buried for a long time, need to know the exact figure of the perpetrator's existence of wayang mask. "I, then went to one after another puppet mask Jatiduwur who are still alive, such as Mbah Nadi, Mbah Nasri, Mbah Ngari, Mbah Sadi, and Mbah Samid. Then I ask them to teach how to play gamelan and mask dance to residents who want to be a puppet, "said Supriyo.

As a result, September 2001, 20 residents Jatiduwur keen and interested in becoming an artist wayang mask. They are farmers, agricultural laborers and construction workers. Once a week they practice in a simple marquee in front of the house Mbah Sumarni, one heir mask Jatiduwur, Jatiduwur Village, District Kesamben, Jombang. Over time, one by one the people who originally diligent practice that was "disappeared" by a variety of reasons. Some are dead and some are working outside of Java. "Until now, which still survive since the wayang mask Jatiduwur was revived in 2001, myself, Suwono, Tariman, Giman, Yaud, and Supriyono," said Bahrul (41), the player Jatiduwur wayang mask.

Bahrul, who daily are a laborer, said he was happy can be an puppet mask artist even though as a child it had never dreamed of being a puppet mask performer. "Initially hard to move the body and it felt stiff. After continuous practice guidance by Mbah Nadi, I can not be the wayang, says Bahrul. Resurrection Jatiduwur wayang mask can not be separated from the self-sacrificing Supriyo energy, thoughts, and financially. This mask wayang had a vacuum in five years. This Vacuum was related to allegations that hurts Supriyo himself , as the leader of the wayang mask. He was accused by some of its members to "corrupt" the money from the gig at the invitation of the East Java Cultural Park, in 2006.

"I worry that my self-esteem as a child waking fade just because accused of embezzling money. Then I resigned to be the head of Jatiduwur wayang mask, "said Supriyo. From the beginning to revive wayang mask, in Supriyo heart and mind not occurred desire for financial gain, especially corruption. "My desire, how the wayang mask can rise up and live again so the kids can look back and see the wayang mask Jatiduwur as cultural heritage and the heritage village Jatiduwur," said Supriyo.

Encouragement as well as strong pressure from the family and heirs of artists Jombang that puppet mask was brought back eventually make Supriyo who graduated from Tebuireng boarding school and Rejoso boarding school Jombang it was moved back commanding the proficiency level. Alhamdulillah, finally everyone knows what I do for a puppet mask Jatiduwur, "he said. Traditional art wayang masks Jatiduwur the culprit was the farmers, farm workers, and construction workers, may be an expression of modesty in them a sense of pride to mask wayang performers.

"While it is tired, feels proud to perform in everyday society. Understandably, from morning to evening I was hoeing in the fields, "said Yaud, the dancer wayang Jatiduwur mask after performed Kelono mask dance. Wayang mask began to recede in early New Order regime, then buried for forty years, is now up and live again. Ideally, this art got appreciation from many quarters.

Wayang Mask Jatiduwur [East Java]

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

Betawi Mask Dance

Endel Mask Dance [Central Java]

Suwitri, Tari Endel

Keeping Endel Mask Dance With Loyalties

Visible wrinkles on the skin of the face and hands of Suwitri, 63 year old woman from the village of Slarang Lor, district of Dukuhwaru, Tegal regency, Central Java. However, Savitri, so local people mention her name, is still agile and nimble in daily activity. Suwitri remain flexible to play the hand movements of the endel dance mask, who since the age of seven had she wrestled. Movement fractures in her neck was still lithe at the same time firmly despite being no longer young. Suwitri is the oldest endel masked dancers whose still active dancing in a number of places in Tegal regency. She inherited the ability to dance from her late grandmother, Warmi, also her late mother, Waryu, who died a year ago. Mother of seven children (four of whom died) is a self-taught dance lessons. She saw firsthand of the dancing movements while grandmother and mother are dancing. Initially Suwitri learn without using a mask. Only until the age of eight, she began to dance using the mask with his mother.

For Suwitri, dancing is part of the breath of her life. As long as the body is still strong for dancing, her fate was determined to continue the portray of life as an endel mask dancer.  Although from dancing, she did not get an abundance of material, Suwitri has no doubt to love it. Remain loyal for years as a dancer mask, Suwitri live in modest homes, cement plaster floors, walls and face to face with other people's homes.  In the middle, at the door of the house was plastered stickers 'Poor Households Receiving BLT' (BLT = direct cash assistance from the goverment). To connect her life, since more than 10 years ago Suwitri selling porridge every morning. She lived alone in the house since her husband, Suharjo, died 15 years ago. Suharjo formerly worked as a puppeteer of wayang golek (a kind of puppets) and wayang orang (a person who costume puppet). Three childrens, Sri Purwanti, Gatot Sismoro, and Rismanto, already live independently. Sri Purwanti whose house was located next door to Suwitri seems to follow her mother's footsteps as a dancer mask.

Independent Dancers

When met at her house some time ago, Suwitri just got back from shopping vegetables to sell porridge preparation for tomorrow. She then talked about early in the course of her life as a dancer. Suwitri still remember well how for the first time she had to dance in public at the Chinese New Year. At that time, at the age of seven, she accompanied her mother to dance. She waddle beside the mother, who was still active as a dancer mask. Until the age of 30, Suwitri still dancing as a companion of her mother who became principal dancer. Only after her mother was tired and decided to stop dancing, she became an independent dancer. Suwitri appear from one stage to another stage.

Her journey as a dancer is not easy. Some failures are actually considered by her as a funny experience that she had ever experienced. One was when she was eight years old and first time using a mask dance. At the time, like most children, most of the teeth were toothless. In fact, masks are used for dancing should be bitten in order to stick to the face. However, because Suwitri was missing teeth, she could not nibble the mask with a strong bite. The mask that she wore fell and split open. For her, not as easy to dance mask dance without mask. A mask dancer should concentrate on two things, namely mask worn and dance movements. "If dancing vacancies (without mask), no grip movement. But, if we dance mask, there are sequences of movement," she said then.

From the 12 types of dance masks, she mastered six of them, namely endel mask dance, kresna mask, panji mask, punggawa mask, lanyapan alus mask, and kelana mask or minakjingga. Endel dance mask become a dance that be favored by many people and until now the traditional dance icon Tegal region. Endel dance mask depict flirtatious women who love to waddle. Dance movements 'seductive'. Endel mask dance usually displayed as a dance to welcome guest on the show's official. There are also other mask dances, but its tend to display the elements of valor.

Appreciation

While still young, Suwitri active dancing at various events. She did not just appear in Tegal, but also to Jakarta, Semarang, and other big cities in Java. She meets the demand for dancing on various occasions, ranging from invitor that will fulfill their vows, such as votive because they have managed to marry off a child or for children recovering from illness. She also performed with the dancers' mask from other regions, including Cirebon mask dancers. Suwitri also taught dance to anyone who wants to learn to dance mask, although she does not have her own studio. Usually the students to come and practice at home. No definite timetable, whenever they came in and she was relieved, the exercise was held. There was no defined contribution, as a token of gratitude, the students like to give her food. 

She could not remember how many students are already taught to dance mask. Besides her daughter, Sri Purwanti, there are two students whom she considered can perform independently. Compared with her youth, she rarely appeared lately dancing. Even so, says Suwitri, her soul still dancing with her daily activities. Therefore, whenever should be appear at any time, she always ready. Loyalty and love for the endel dance mask make Suwitri awarded. Aside from being a figure maestro dancer typical Tegal regency in 2010, she also received awards from the Regent of Tegal for service and dedication to preserve and develop the distinctive endel mask typical dance from Tegal. Previously, she received an award from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Central Java as a preserver of culture.

However, not all the accolades it Suwitri continue dancing, but because dance is her soul. Although to be selling porridge for a living, real life is for her to dance. For about 56 years have proven Suwitri love, loyalty, and the totality in endel mask dance. Loyalty which led to an unconditional dedication.

Suwitri

Endel Mask Dance [Central Java]