What in Bantul

                             Reog Wayang, an Heritage of  Yogyakarta

             Reog, which is globally known as a traditional art native to Ponorogo of East Java, has recently come in varied form and style. Basically it is a combination of dancing and music performance wrapped in a story that bears moral values. Today Reog Ponorogo has been one Indonesian heritage under United Nation Organizations’ acknowledgment.

Reog Wayang has been in existence for a long time and is relatively new to those living outside part of Bantul area. The records of its performance, though, can only be traced by conducting interviews with our adults and those over fifties. The writer is one of the living witnesses that was fond of watching the show and always expected it to perform each day in his childhood. Reog Bantul reached its peak in 1970’s, the era that people in rural areas starved for free entertainments. There were considerable groups of reog that came to exist then. Such examples as Gesikan, Jetis Benyo, Kwalangan, and Sumber Batikan were groups worth mentioning. Not until 1990’s has reog wayang come back to stage.

What Reog Wayang is really can be a good question. Reog always comprises of dancing and music backed up by the story of the good against the evil. Originally, the story stems from Bharata Yudha epics commonly told in India and is performed in terms of puppet show or ‘wayang’. The music instruments accompanying in reog are ‘dodog’, a hollowed large wood covered with animal skin and played by being stricken, ‘bendes’, round metal instrument, and ‘kecrek’ a pair of metal instruments to strike.

            Number of Players

            There are not less than 20 individual players divided into 2 groups that are to represent  Pandawa or the good and Korawa or the evil one. Dancing in rows, they are dressed in distinguished clothes making characters in Pandawa such as Harjuna, Gatotkaca, Setyaki, Anoman, and others for Pandawa side, and Seteja, Dasamuka, Cakil, and others for Korawa side. Commonly, some additional characters to be giants are added.

            The story

            As mentioned before, Bharata Yudha is the only source for this performance since it is rich in moral and ethics teachings. At first, while the music is played, they dance in gentle manner distinguishing each of the character played. Later on, the tone is raised indicating conflicts to come followed by fights in pair or duel which, commonly, is won by the good. A song is sung amid the dance just before the fights resolve. It usually has a touching lyrics sending the message that there is no way human should be villainous. At this point the tome is lowered down.

            Best Moments

            Reog Wayang has special moments to show. Such special celebrations as Independence Day and Moslem Festival Day are good examples. On these occasions, it makes its own free shows at the middle of the meadow or large space surrounded by a large crowd curious to see the story till the end of the performance. Even though this is meant for free, many of them are willing to sincerely donate some which then is spent by the arranger to fund the group.

            Ordering the Show

            Since most the groups of Reog Wayang exist both to preserve cultures and do business, it is their right to make money through their show. In order for you to order it, you must be sure that you have a large space at your home so that you can accommodate the large numbers of players. Apart from this, you need to consider whether they have a full schedule in one day. If this is the case you should contact the management in advance. Four decades ago, it cost Rp 150.00 and turns to some $250 at present time.

            Moral Values

            Reog Wayang makes no way to do a successful business in terms of money it makes. However, it is highly worth preserving since it functions best as a medium among people throughout nations to be tolerant, respectful, and stay modest. No matter how powerful the evils are, the good always come as the lead. This is what people around the world believe in their faith and consistently presented in the story.

            Authority Acts

            Nearly two decades has Reog Wayang in Bantul been a dead faint. Fortunately, one or two groups still indicate their existence by keeping practicing at night. And the local authority knows this waking up their awareness of losing this valuable heritage. Several measures have been taken in relation to the preservation. No wonder fund rising program is launched for this respect. The local authority, likewise, has scheduled regular festival for Reog Wayang. And you can see it especially at the beginning of dry season in June.

                                                            

                                                                        (www.negerikuindonesia.com)