Saturday, November 27, 2010

Reog Traditional Dance from Java

IMG_0472
Reog is an Indonesia traditional art from Java Island. There are many kinds of Reog, the most popular in Indonesia is Reog Ponorogo and Reog Mahabarata Story. Reog Ponorogo can be found in East Java, and Reog Mahabharata can be found in Central Java and Yogyakarta.

IMG_0452 IMG_0740

Reog Mahabharata is different from Reog Ponorogo. Reog Ponorogo tells the story about a local legend, but Reog Mahabarata tells about the Mahabarata Story, especially the war between Pandava and Kaurava. Pandava is a symbol of the goodness, and the Kaurava is a symbol of the evil.The good sides are Harjuna, Bhima, Yudhistira, GatotKaca, Nakula, Sahadeva, Hanoman etc.
IMG_0554 IMG_0572
The Evil side is Cakil, Shakuni, Dhoryudhana, Ravana, etc.Reog is traditional art that has magic power and sometimes the dancer will become possessed. They’ll eat Sajen (something that has magic power) such as plants, flowers, chicken, grass, etc. And they will be cured by the shaman.
IMG_0498
IMG_0685

Photo and text : Sigid Kurniawan