The Character Of Reog Dancer

Reog is one of the cultural arts originating from the northwestern part of East Java and Ponorogo is considered to be the true origin of Reog. This art becomes a source of inspiration for a struggle to achieve a better life.

According to the Bantarangin version, Reog art tells about the journey of Prabu Kelana Sewandana ( king of Bantarangin ) to propose Dewi Songgolangit ( princess of Kediri kingdom ).

In its stage performance, Reog exhibits several elements of dancers who play their roles according to their respective characters, such as:

First is Pembarong.

Pembarong is the dancer who depicts the Singo Barong from the Lodaya kingdom. In the performance, Singobarong is described as the competitor of Prabu Kelana Sewandana when he was about to propose to Dewi Songgolangit. Singo Barong is also a symbol for Kertabumi ( king of Majapahit ). Peacock on his head looks like a large fan, a metaphor for the strong influence of his queen.

Second is Kelana Sewandana.

He is a dancer who depicts the figure of the Bantarangin kingdom king. This kingdom was located in the western region of Ponorogo, in Sumoroto village, Kauman district. The figure of Prabu Kelana Sewandana is described as a man with a crowned mask, red face, big bulging eyes with a thin mustache. Prabu Kelana Sewandana has a magical weapon called Pecut Samandiman. This straight rattan whip is decorated with seven red-yellow stripped jabug. In the Bantarangin version, this whis was used by Prabu Kelana Sewandana to defeat Singobarong who challenged him on his way to propose Dewi Songgolangit.

Third is Patih Bujang Ganong (Ganongan) or Patih Pujangga Anom.

He is one of the energetic and comical figures Reog Ponorogo. This dancer represents the witty figure in the story who also has great expertise in martial arts. In every Reyog Ponorogo show, his appearance is always eagerly awaited by the audience, especially children. Bujang Ganong represents the figure of a young minister who is agile, strong-willed, clever, witty, and powerful. Physically, Bujang Ganong is described as small, short, and ugly, with a big nose, big bulging eyes, slender teeth, and long dreadlocks. In Reog’s performance, Bujang Ganong will the way he wants, following the gamelan beat, teasing barongan, jathil and also interacting with the audience. Despite his ugly physical appearance, Bujang Ganong has great abilities. He is powerful and capable, very loyal, gentle but witty, skillful, versatile, and intelligent. He is a servant and a high-ranking officer as well as a civil servant who is full of dedication, humble, honest, sincere without expecting any rewards.

Fourth is Warok.

On stage, he is viewed as a guard of Prabu Kelana Sewandana. The young warok figure is exhibited practicing supernatural powers and kanuragan ( martial arts ). Physically, they are hairy-chested stocky men who have thick mustaches and beards, and sharp eyes. While the old warok is described more as an old man supervising the young warok doing physical training. The old warok is recounted as thin long white-bearded men walking using a cane.

Fifth is Jathil.

Jathil is the representation of a horse-riding knight in Reog Ponorogo story. Jathil was performed by several young female dancers using eblek jaranan ( horse-shaped woven bamboo ). In the past, jathil was performed by young male dancers with female make-up and even with feminine and graceful movements like women. This jathil with male dancers existed for so long. In the 1980s the male jathil dancer was then replaced with a young woman for reasons of beauty and propriety. The existence of jathil in Reog cannot be separated from the story about Klono Sewandono who tried to fulfill one of the requirements of Dewi Songgolangit who asked for 144 cavalry troops.

Sixth is Pengrawit.

Pengrawit is gamelan ( traditional musical instrument ) players who act as an accompaniment to Reog music which consists of several musical instruments such as gongs, kendang, kempul, kenong, tipung, angklung, and slompret and followed by wirosworo ( vocalist ) who root for or encourage Reog dancers.

This performance can be seen at the National Reog Festival, Reog Mini Festival, grebeg suro, anniversary of Ponorogo regency, full moon night exhibition on the main stage of aloon – aloon Ponorogo ( town square ), cultural festivals, traditional ceremonies, and other events.