This traditional dance is using “kuda kepang” are bamboo webbing formly like a horse with black or white colour . The dancer mount on “kuda kepang” are portrays prowess horsing soldier with all the action movements.The dancer put kuda kepang like a soldier ride a horse than he start dance with music come from kendhang, bonang, saron, kempul, slompret and ketipung (all are javanesse music).
Jathilan known as one of the oldest dance in java. This dance also known as "Kuda Kepang" or "Jaran Kepang" There 6 or 8 dancers wear the same uniform will dance as couple.
As addition there will be dancers that use mask as a genderuwo (devil) or barongan (lion). They appear to disturb the soldiers.
Jathilan is popular in east java, central java and Yogjakarta Indonesia. they have their own version. This dance identic with soldiers with their horse on the battle, use swords as weapon. This original version, the dancer will dance without stop until one of them unconscious but still dance. They will eat broken glass without pain or bloody at all or open coconut with their teeth.
Salam Lin!This sounds like an interesting dance.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletesaLam kenaL...,,
ReplyDeleteCheck out the Film Jathilan, the film combines footage of a number of Jathilan performances with interviews with dancers, spiritual leaders, anthropologists, and enthusiasts. This extraordinary practice becomes more than just spectacle as Jathilan is contextualized within broader processes of Indonesian historical, political and social change and the viewer is provided a window into the subjective experiences of those who participate.
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