West Javanese dance is still a performance of modern art
Given the development of time, West Javanese traditional dance is still preserved even though life is modern. This effort is made consciously so that the culture that has traditionally been passed down never fades. The role of culture for an area or tribe is very important as a form of identity in society.
Not only is it an art, but different types of dance are often performed at important events. Dance performances always invite interest from the community to respect the culture of a region. From government elements, artists and the community combine with each other to preserve the art.
Dance art is often used to convey a story or story of behavior through movement according to rhythm. The sound of gamelan music accompanies the dancer performing movements aimed at performing art. So far, it can still be found in certain areas where traditional events are held.
However, dance does not always appear at sacred ceremonies just because it can be used as folk entertainment. In the development of modern times, art can of course be combined well without diluting cultural values. So that you are more familiar with the art, we want to describe it completely based on its popularity.
Jaipong from Sunda is still popular today
Given the great development of the dance world, it appears that there are many aspects that need attention. Different types of dance movements will provide their own uniqueness in an art performance. One of them is art in the form of dance originating from West Java called jaipong.
Jaipong originates from a certain area, which originated in the Karawang area with certain characteristics. In the area, of course, the type of dance is widely known to the local community because it is a tradition. Starting from just one region, it has now spread to everyone in the province of West Java.
The uniqueness of this art lies in the costumes that the dancers wear on stage. The accessories on the head are in the form of a sandwich decorated with flowers and clothes with bright colors. Not to mention also related to the scarf that should be wrapped around the neck of the dancer when performing his art movements.
The image of West Javanese dance is also accompanied by music with a fast and brisk pace. Therefore, the dancer’s movements must also be agile to follow the rhythm and rhythm of the instrument. There is a separate meaning that must be consciously conveyed through jaipong with the intention that sundanese women never give up.
In addition to showing an unyielding message, it appears that there is also a purpose behind the movements of jaipong dancers. This has to do with the existence of a beautiful body and face, so that it shows a graceful nature. In other words, a woman can certainly be herself thanks to self-confidence.
Ronggeng Bugis must be kept by the Community
Discussing the issue of different dance names naturally refers to several types at once when entering the land of Sunda. There are many traditional West Javanese dances that are known to people from outside the area. You can discuss the existence of one of the types from the Cirebon area with its characteristics.
This type of art refers to the name ronggeng bugis which makassar literally means. The name comes from the existence of bugis troops after they were able to provide assistance and establish the Cirebon area. From this story, a form of community and a fusion of cultures between the two began to emerge.
Due to the cultural fusion of art, the result is also quite unique as a spectacle of traditional value. The uniqueness lies in the side of the dancers, who all come from among men with thick make-up. For a striking natural make-up look like this, it is also the intention to be an attraction in itself.
In this West Javanese dance, the dancer’s costume also uses a fully light-colored kebaya. The bun is also positioned as a woman with about four or more dancers. The main purpose of the stories and narratives brought by the movement is to bring a comic sensation.
All movements and choreographies are attractively performed, even though they are dressed in complete kebaya costumes according to the music. One of the other uniqueties of ronggeng bugis is the freedom of dancers to make funny improvisations. Knowing this, at least you can distinguish the type of dance when you are in the region.
Tap Tilu often performed in sacred ceremonies
The discussion continues about a unique model of dance art originating from West Java is tap tilu. In order to find out the differences based on this, this dance model is often held at certain sacred events. Because it is considered sacred, spiritual ceremonies are very identical to presenting dance movements as performances.
Not many people understand the differences in different types of uniqueness in the type of tap tilu. Usually, the dance model is held when welcoming the rice harvest period by the community. The kingdom and the owner of the rice fields will often hold these art performances and become popular entertainment.
The tap tilu dans is accompanied by the main musical instrument in the form of a rebab which is a classical traditional instrument. This musical instrument was often found in the royal era to provide musical accompaniment to the dance. The dancer follows the movements according to the melody and tempo of the music, so that the results are integrated.
West Javanese regional dances use unique costumes with complete kebaya, but tend to have dark colors more often. Dancers are performed by women in accordance with the stipulations of the creators of such dance art in detail. However, there are pairs of male dancers who also wear headbands and leather straps.
During the staging you can enjoy the performance with music from the gamelan throughout the dance. So far, there are still many types of dance to be found in different venues according to the event. So it is not surprising if tap tilu until when tap is still safe as a tradition left behind by ancestors.
Cirebon masks are very flexible to tell stories
Trying to understand about the different arts that are owned by a region should be done by the community. All kinds of traditions still have to be passed on to the next generation in order not to disappear from civilization. Therefore, art must have an appeal to the needs of entertainment performances for the audience.
The dance from West Java that is discussed in detail is the Cirebon mask that uses signs. Masks have different natural shapes for each model, so that every viewer can get to know the characters more easily. In addition, mask dance has 5 different types and names for performances.
The names on the masks include pennant masks, samba, patih, rumyang and kelana with their own characters. Initially, this dance model was born to street performers and then developed over time. In fact, there began to be many people who were able to enjoy the art of dance despite modern times.
According to the mask of the five wanda, later dancers will wear different models depending on certain stories and tales. Adjustments are needed to make the character’s form more relevant to the dancer’s story. In addition, the music must also be presented according to the storyline so that the movements remain in rhythm.
In general, Cirebon mask dance carries a message in the form of all the life problems that people face. The point is that each dance model will have its own uniqueness, depending on the purpose and the way the art is performed. In this way, there is no doubt that dances from West Java will always be popular with the public.