History of Reog Ponorogo

Asal-usul Tarian Daerah Di Indonesia 

“Histori of Reog Ponorogo”

Reog is one culture in Indonesia that is still maintained its existence until now. First there is a controversy that Malaysia claims and acknowledge Reog Ponorogo dance as a culture heritage Malaysia but this is being further investigated by the Indonesian governmen. It triggered protest from various parties in Indonesia, including the origin of Ponorogo Reog artist who say that copyright Reog registered under number 026 377, dated february 11, 2004 and is know by the minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republik Indonesia. Thousands artists reog also held a demonstration in front of the Embassy of Malaysia. Finaly reog art constitute an Indonesian cultural heritage.

This traditional art has elements of mystical and powerfull mysticism. It makes its own appeal. While Ponorogo is a city that is considered as the origin of Reog. At the gates of the town of Ponorogo, there are Warok and Gemblak figures which are two Reog figures that always appear when the show takes place.

There are five popular versions the origins of Reog, but among the five versions of the most famous is the story of Ki Ageng Kutu's rebellion, a royal leader's servant during Bhre Kertabhumi in the Majapahit Emperor in the 15th century. At that time Ki Ageng Fleas rebelled and pointed sarcasticism to the king and his kingdom through Reog performances. In this performance there was displayed mask lion-shaped head and called by the name of Singo Barong symbolizing the King Kertabhumi. While the peacock feathers stuck in the lion's head resembling a giant fan Barong symbolizes the strong influence of the King associates coming from Tiongkok. As for the Jatilan dance played by Gemblak dancers symbolize strength of Majapahit troops and inversely proportional to the strength of the Warok which became a symbol of the power of Ki Ageng own ticks where Warok must sustain Singa Barong mask and weigh up to 50 kg just by using his teeth.

Reog performanced Ki Ageng Kutu was increasingly popular among the people of that time so it made King Bhre Kertabhumi to take offensive action to Ki Ageng Kutu and prohibit teaching about Warok proceed. While Reog staging it self is still allowed because it had already become a popular arts in the community, but with a new groove in the plot, and and the addition of characters from the Ponorogo floklore like Kelono Sewandono, Dewi Songgolangit and Sri Genthayu as well.

Currently Reog Ponorogo storyline has an official version about the King of Ponorogo and his army consisting of King Kelono and his deputy name Bujang Anom and the Warok who wish to propose Dewi Ragil Kuning, a princess of Kediri. But on the way the King is blocked by the troops of the King Singobarong of Kediri consistinv of peacok and lion. 

Reog is usually held in several important events such as weddings, circumcisions and natioal major holidays. Reog is composed of several series, which opened with opening dance scene which amounts two to three dances followed by the main dance where the dance depends on the event that is being implemented. The last scene in the from of Singa Barong dance where the dancers have to bear mask with his teeth. The mask-shaped head of a lion and peacock feathered that the weighy can reach 50 to 60 kg.

There are some figures in Reog, which are Jathil a hussar, Warok figures depicted in the from of a master of science both physically and spiritually, Barongan ( Dadak Merak ) in the from of dance equipment of Reog, Kelono Sewandono or King Kelono a King who possesses a power and kyai Pecut a ultimate weapon in the from of a whip and Bujang Ganong or Ganongan or also known as Patih Pujangga Anom a powerful governor who is powerful, wily, witty and strong-willed.