One of some kinds of wayang in East Java is Wayang Beber- they have nearly vanished.The most popular of all forms is Wayang Beber Pacitan. This kind of wayang is neither made of wood not leather but paintings drawn on a scrolled sheets of bark paper. Every scene in the story is painted on a piece of paper in rotation.
Since when this kind of wayang has been found in Pacitan exactly is not known yet, nevertheless the age of the existing wayang Beber has reached an age of 12 generations up to the present.
The performer (Dalang) gives a sign, the gamelan orchestra (or a musician with a violin-like instrument) begins to play and the Dalang unrolls a picture related to the story. Then, speaking and singing, he narrates the story in more detail. In this manner, in the course of the evening he unrolls several pictures. The pictures are shown one at a time and are successively unrolled. Each picture represents a story or part of a story. The story narrated is taken from the life of Panji or a story based on the mythical Javanese Jenggala Kingdom, or the Mahabharataand Ramayana epics. The fiction of wayang Beber performance is not only an entertainment but also as media of education, which principally a crime finally is defeated by virtue.
There are some scrolls owned by some families which are not used for a performance, however in certain months every year they are used as traditional ceremony by cleaning off the magic power in those objects.
East Java (Indonesian: Jawa Timur) is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and also includes neighboring Madura and Bawean islands. The administrative center of the province is located in Surabaya, the second largest city in Indonesia and a major industrial center and port.
East Java also hosts a significant population of other ethnic groups, such as Chinese, Indians, and Arabs. In addition to the national language, Indonesian, they also speak Javanese. The major religion in East Java is Islam. This comes from earlier history, when Islam spread from northern cities in Java where many traders from Gujarat, India visited, bringing Islam. The eastern part of East Java, from Surabaya to Pasuruan, then following various cities along the coast line, and turning back in Banyuwangi to Jember, is well known as the "horseshoe area" in context with earlier Muslim communities living there.
East Java's history dates back to the famous ancient kingdoms of Kediri and Singhasari, which is now a city near Malang. The Majapahit dynasty centered at Trowulan, Mojokerto East Java and around East Java, began the foundations of an empire that was to dominate the entire Indonesian archipelago, the Malay Peninsula and part of the Philippines for hundreds of years. This was the beginning of profitable trade relations with China, Cambodia, Siam, Burma and Vietnam. As power in Central Java declined in the 10th century, powerful kingdoms rose in East Java to fill the power vacuum. During the reign of King Erlangga both East Java and Bali enjoyed lucrative trade with the surrounding islands, and an artistic and intellectual renaissance. Parts of the Mahabarata epic were translated and re-interpreted to conform to an East Javanese philosophy and view of life, and it was from this era that East Java inherited much of its temple art. The Eastern Java region was the part of the Mataram kingdom during its peak.
East Java offers many insights into Indonesia's rich cultures and crafts as diverse as the people themselves. East Java is a true melting pot of the country for many ethnic groups. It is understandable that it is cause of its vast area and different kinds of condition between one place and another. The characteristics of its cultural art is also different. Various kinds of the existing culture have their own particular characteristics and certain functions either those in the territory of East Java or in other territories outside East Java.
Reog Ponorogo
The dance known as Reog is a very spectacular dance with several dancers wearing bright colorful costumes accompanied by merry gamelan music.
In Madura, race bull is a very popular sport and spectacle
The island of Madura, famous for its bull races (karapan sapi), is also part of the province and has its own traditions, culture and language.
Mask dance (Tari topeng) performance
Malang is famous for its dances. Mask dance (tari topeng) has been known by Malang society and this dance is tradition which cannot be left off hand.
"Kuda Lumping" dance
Horse trance dancing, or "kuda lumping" in Indonesian, is currently the most popular style of folk art being performed regularly in East Java.
East Javanese house and its traditional weapon - clurit (and traditional clothes of the island of Madura)
In Indonesia which consists of some ethnic groups, every ethnic group has its own characteristics in clothing. For Madurese people, especially those living in Sumenep, the type of dresses is distinguished as follows: 1. Daily dress 2. Ceremonial dress 3. Common people’s dress 4. Elite people’s dress 5. Nobleman’s dress
Dress for Common People For men the dress called peso with black colour. The pants also black colour and loose below the knee. This dress is fit out with a leather belt on which there is a pocket. The Madurese call it “Sabbu tepa kole” and a Lead-clothe or “odeng”. Besides as a supplement, a “sarong” also worn crossways over the shoulder.
East Javanese house (and traditional clothes of the island of Madura)
The women wear a dress called “baju sono” or “baju kurung”, ”sarung poleng” which is green or red varied with conspicuous colours. Wearing a belt called “sivet” and a long shawl called “sarong bini” worn crossways over the left or right shoulder. As the supplement of the daily dress, man as well as woman wear “gamparan” (slippers made of wood).
Ceremonial Dress Ceremonial dress worn by men consists of “baju pesa”, “celana kombor” (loose pant), “odeng”, “selempang sarung” and “sabbu kale tepa”. This dress is fit out with a grandeur weapon such as “taka buwan” namely grass knife, big and long grass knife. The women wear “baju sono” which is the same like worn daily, but the ceremonies dress is better than that worn daily.
Daily Dress for Parjaji Daily dress which is worn by men is “baju taqwa” which looks like “surjan” with white buttons. This dress is fir out with “sarung Polekat” with a belt called “epek/stagen” to slip a creese and a head clothe called “odeng peredan.
The women wear a black “baju sono”. At the end of the long sleeves there are buttons made of silver, sarong with purer Madurese batik motive decorated of animals, leaves print and “stagen”.
Ceremonial Dress for parjaji The men wear white “baju taqwa” with buttons made of silver or gold “adeng peredan”, long batik clothe not pleated. If the clothe is pleated then its pleats are wide and aslant. There is prohibition for parjaji to wear clothe with a motive of “parang rusak”. Whereas the women wear baju sono. The clothe worn is “songket” long clothe and wearing “epek” or belt made of soft clothe. In former times, a parjaji either a man or a woman, was always accompanied by five servants when attending a party. The foremost one, carried a lamp or torch, those in the rear carried a container called “ekecohan” and grandeur umbrella.
Dress of Noblemen The dress of a noblemen is almost similar with that worn by parjaji. The difference lies only in its supplements. The man wears “ellogan”, namely belt wrapped in soft clothe to slip a creese. The colour of the “epek” is red or yellow and wear “odeng tongkosan” (tongkosan head clothe).The women also wear a dress which is worn by women of parjaji group. If a nobleman attends a ceremony, he wears a black coat made of liken clothe embroidered with gold, a long clothe, wearing beautiful creese chained with melati flower. Head clothe worn is “odeng Sunda”. Young nobleman wears “baju taqwa” when attending a ceremony; whereas the woman wear “baju sono” like that worn by the parjaji group. The noble women wear “sono” dress made of red velvet, dark blue or dark green, with long sleeves at the end of which there are six gold buttons. The dress worn has gold pin and belt or “epek” made of soft clothe. A clothe with a motive of “sidomukti” pleated in Madura style. A gold bracelet is worn on the ankle.
Bride Gown There are three traditional bride gowns, worn one after another for three days. Bride gowns for parjaji and arja group are as follows: -The first night, is “dilega” dress. The bridegroom does not wear a shirt whereas the bride wears a “kemben” a (clothe worn around the chest). This dress is attached with decoration worn on a neck, fingers and arms. -The second night is the “kraton kepotren” dress. The bridegroom wears a black coat with lace, black “liken” made of pants; whereas the bride wears long black “kebaya” with velvet laces full with its decorations. -The third night, either the bride or bridegroom wears a dress to attend a common ceremony (“taqwa” dress and “sono” dress).
Bride Gown for Common People As the wedding ceremony of “parjaji” and noblemen is carried out three days, the wedding ceremony of common people is carried out only one day, but the bride gown changed three times. On the first meeting, the bridegroom wears white “jubah” (tabard) in Arab style, the bride wears long white skirt complere with the head clothe. On the second meeting, the bridegroom wears a black coat with a necktie, wearing a “sidomukti” clothe and “belangkon” head clothe typically Madurese, decorated with a creese on his back. And the bride wears a long “sidomukti” clothe and “kebaya”. On the third or the last meeting, the bridegroom wears pants, a coat, a necktie and a head clothe. Whereas the bride wears a long skirt or long cloth and “kebaya”.
There are some cemeteries which are of historical values in Gresik. Namely the cemetery of Fatimah binti Maimun or the cemetery of Princess Suwari or Princess Cempa (1082 A.D.). The cemetery of Fatimah binti Maimun is considered as the oldest one in Indonesia.
The cemetery of Fatimah binti Maimun
The cemetery of Maulana Malik Ibrahim, died in 1419 was the first and the oldest Islamic religious leader (known as wali) who introduced Islam in Java. The building has lots of changed and renovated. Its tombstone is not original anymore, neither is its gate. The roof of its cover has collapsed. Only its four walls are still in good condition though they are cracked. This wall is decorated with horizontal frames, something that is only found here and gives an impression that in the 11th century people were still completely found with temples and therefore the Islamic graves are shaped like temples.
The cemetery of Maulana Malik Ibrahim
Since the roof of the cover is missing, the original shape is therefore not known, either in stages and pointed like those of the temples or not. The unique architecture that is very typical, compared with other graves. Although the gravestone is from Arab mainland with Arabic-style scriptures on it, the style looks like many gravestones in Gujarat. Lots of people come to visit that cemetery everyday. The cemetery is considered as sacred place. Many people who visit his grave expect for blessing, safety, long life, fortune, etc.
The cemetery of Sunan Giri is located in the Desa of Giri, Sub-District of Kebomas, Gresik District, in southern side of the District, 2 km's far from the city of Gresik. The cemetery is on the top of the Giri hill, rounded by Giri people's graves.
Sunan Giri was one of the nine famous Islamic Leaders (wali songo) who also propagated the Islam in Java. He died in the year of 1428 of Saka Year or 1506 AD.
Entrance to the tomb of Sunan Giri - Sunan Giri, gravestones in the tomb complex.
The attractiveness of this object are the wooden-made grave from teak tree, plant-covered wall, and the makara (curvilinear motif like the tail of a shrimp, e.g. as found on ancient temple gargoyles) on its door.
Grave cover construction of Sunan Giri in Gresik. Front part, roof covered with tiles and wood (XV Century)
There are some other attractiveness which illustrate the archeology of the first period of Islam in Java e.g. dragon king-carved-stone at the entrance arc, to mention one. The attractiveness for tourists of this object is the carved roof that illustrates the wealthy of the period from trade activities.
The Mausoleum site of Sunan Prapen is located on the west-side of mausoleum of Sunan Giri. In the site, Kawis Guwo and Panembahan Agung, two other Islamic leaders (but not wali), are also buried.
Some collection of Malang masks for Mask Dance performance
Mask (topeng) as a product of fine arts is not only used as decoration, but also as the equipment of dance and theatre in some performances. In Malang, to be exact in the Kedung Monggo village, Pakisaji sub-distric and in the Jabung village, Tumpang sub-distric, lots of Topeng are made to use for the performance of an opera or “wayang topeng”.
The mask of Malang (topeng Malang) has special characteristics, such as their thick wood of randu wood (capok tree) or “cangkring”, which is rather dark in colour, with a carving on the forehead which is specially bulging, fashioned with a square chin and high cheek- bones. Some mask needs some ritual to make the carving mask has a magic power.
Decoratively, Malang masks are unique. They are different from any other mask art found in Java. There are five typical colurs used to deco rate the masks. The red colour symbolizes courage, the black colour symbolizes determined ambitions, the yellow colour symbolizes wisdom, the white colour indicates purified character and the green colour indicates peace.
The form of its throne and the expression of the mask especially the construction of “gelung” and “janang” and the eyes are not far different with the thrones of wayang on the relief of Jajagu temple. This is not surprising since the Jabung is located near Jajagu temple.
MALANG MASK DANCE
Malang Mask Dance (Wayang Topeng Malangan)
Malang is famous for its dances. The topeng performance has a strong dramatic value, its performance pattern is good, while the garment music have special characteristics. The carving mask usually made to be used in an opera or "wayang topeng". What is interesting about the mask dance is that all the dancers representing some characters wear masks.
Klono is the evil archrival of Gunungsari and Panji Mask Dance Drama
The characters in Malang theatrical mask dance are 64 and they play the roles of 64 figures in Panji tales. As in wayang kulit, the story is narrated and sung by a dhalang, who recreates the stories passed orally to him from generation to generation. The dancers do not speak themselves with the one exception of the clown, Patrajaya, who wears a half-mask allowing him to speak. While the other dancers move with grace and style, Patrajaya plays the fool: knock kneed, buck teeth, an old cloth tied loosely around his head, he provides the comic relief. New stories are improvised from time to time and old ones built upon to create something new.
* Find out how the traditional mask dance of Malang is staged at the Padepokan Seni Mangun Dharma in Tulusbesar village, Tumpang Sub district, Malang. Location: Tumpang Sub Distric , Malang
Lowo cave is located in Sampung district, it is about 20 km from the centre of the city. It named Lowo Cave because it is occupied by many bats. The bats are life in this cave freely and not disturb the local public. It is its own characteristic that can increase the tourist interest to visit this location. In this cave also found the archaeological site that had high archaeological value. This cave is very nature. There are no reparation around it. The situation also feels so natural. It surrounds by many trees and stones.
It is called Ngebel Lake because it is in Ngebel subdistrict territory. It is located about 24 km to the north-east of Ponogoro, Ngebel lake is in the slope of Wilis mountain with 734 metre height on the sea and the temperature 22 to 32 celsius.
With the wide of surface about 1.5 km, Ngebel lake surrounded by the road along 5 km. This lake has an amazing panorama, cool air with the maiden nature condition that kept one million potentials to be dug up. We also could met various fruits like: durian, mangosteens, pundung, etc. In the lake also spread various fishes, one them is the variety fishes that has protected. It is Hampala fish or the local inhabitants named Ngongok fish. For that purposes, it also available accommodation facilities that already for the visitor who want to spend the night. The facilities is managed by the Regional Government and private enterprise. According to the developing legend in the community, Ngebel lake was formed based on the story of a dragon snake, named “Baru Klinting”.
When the snake take a meditating and unintentionally he was cut-piece by the community around to be eaten. Mysteriously the snake changed into a child who afterwards visited the community and made a contest to repeal the rib that was transfixed by him into the land. Not even one succeeded in carrying it out.
Afterwards he repealed this rib, and from this rib hole went out water that afterwards became the big pool that welled up and became Ngebel lake. It seems Ngebel lake had important role in the history of Ponorogo Regency, because one of the founders of Ponorogo regency, Batoro Katong, before doing the greatness Islam religion in Ponogoro regency had clear himself in a pool near to Ngebel lake. At this time, it is known as pool / Kucur Batoro.
It is called Ngebel Lake because it is in Ngebel subdistrict territory. It is located about 24 km to the north-east of Ponogoro, Ngebel lake is in the slope of Wilis mountain with 734 metre height on the sea and the temperature 22 to 32 celsius.
With the wide of surface about 1.5 km, Ngebel lake surrounded by the road along 5 km. This lake has an amazing panorama, cool air with the maiden nature condition that kept one million potentials to be dug up. We also could met various fruits like: durian, mangosteens, pundung, etc. In the lake also spread various fishes, one them is the variety fishes that has protected. It is Hampala fish or the local inhabitants named Ngongok fish. For that purposes, it also available accommodation facilities that already for the visitor who want to spend the night. The facilities is managed by the Regional Government and private enterprise. According to the developing legend in the community, Ngebel lake was formed based on the story of a dragon snake, named “Baru Klinting”.
When the snake take a meditating and unintentionally he was cut-piece by the community around to be eaten. Mysteriously the snake changed into a child who afterwards visited the community and made a contest to repeal the rib that was transfixed by him into the land. Not even one succeeded in carrying it out.
Afterwards he repealed this rib, and from this rib hole went out water that afterwards became the big pool that welled up and became Ngebel lake. It seems Ngebel lake had important role in the history of Ponorogo Regency, because one of the founders of Ponorogo regency, Batoro Katong, before doing the greatness Islam religion in Ponogoro regency had clear himself in a pool near to Ngebel lake. At this time, it is known as pool / Kucur Batoro.
REOG Reog is a traditional dance that become the main identity for Ponorogo regency. Because of this, Ponorogo is also known as Reog city. This theatre has been known wide in Indonesian even foreign tourists. Reog National Festival is held every years along the anniversary of Ponorogo regency and Grebeg Suro celebration. Reog dance is also staged full moon nightly in paseban, Ponorogo Town Square. Reog told about the struggle for a prince who will propose to a lovely pretty princess . This dance is staged about 25 - 40 dancers and the musician. The interesting of Reog is his main leading figure named Singo Barong. The dancer of Singo Barong bear the mask about 30 - 40 kg weight and supported by the strength of their teeth. The other leading figure in Reog include Kelono Sewandono, Bujang Anom, Jatil and Warok. The visitors can enjoy this traditional dance only in Ponorogo, East Java - Indonesia. The only area that has REOG dance is Ponorogo, not in other country.
GREBEG SURO Is the biggest culture event in Ponorogo regency that held on a certain occasion of welcomed Islam New Year or Saka New Year that often known as one suro date (one of Javanese month). This agenda entered East Java tourism calendar (Calendar of event). Grebeg Suro is the ritual culture incident and became the party site of Ponorogo people. Usually it begun a week before 1 Suro. It is the series of Grebeg Suro agenda is Reog National festival, various good activity sorts the race and the exhibition and ended with Larungan agenda in Ngebel lake. The parade of the elephant statue that consist of the musical procession and the elephant statues. Those statues have received by human kind and climbed onto by two children. This art is has influenced by Islam culture.
Odrot Musical Art that influenced by Islam performance art, usually staged at the wedding reception or circumcision.
Kongkil Art that combined the element of the dance and traditional music. This art is usually staged by less than 10 people of gamelan beater and the dancer, the interesting one from this art is its musical instrument that formed blown big bamboo.
A classical Wayang Beber Performance in 1900
The performer (Dalang) gives a sign, the gamelan orchestra (or a musician with a violin-like instrument) begins to play and the Dalang unrolls a picture related to the story. Then, speaking and singing, he narrates the story in more detail. In this manner, in the course of the evening he unrolls several pictures. The pictures are shown one at a time and are successively unrolled. Each picture represents a story or part of a story. The story narrated is taken from the life of Panji or a story based on the mythical Javanese Jenggala Kingdom, or the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics. The fiction of wayang Beber performance is not only an entertainment but also as media of education, which principally a crime finally is defeated by virtue.
The mask of Malang (topeng Malang) has special characteristics, such as their thick wood of randu wood (capok tree) or “cangkring”, which is rather dark in colour, with a carving on the forehead which is specially bulging, fashioned with a square chin and high cheek- bones. Some mask needs some ritual to make the carving mask has a magic power.
