Ondel Ondel Betawi

Helloindonesia.id – In Pasundan it is known as Badawang, in Central Java called Barongan Buncis, while in Bali it is better known as Barong Landung. According to estimates the type of performance has existed since before the spread of Islam on Java.
Originally ondel-ondel functioned as a repellent or a disturbance of spirits that haunted. Today, ondel-ondel is usually used to add to the festivities of the people or to greet honorable guests, for example in the inauguration of a new building that was completed. No matter how swift the current of modernization, ondel-ondel turned out to still survive and become the decoration of the face of the metropolitan city of Jakarta.

The history of Ondel-ondel is as follows:
Ondel-ondel is a folk show that has been around for centuries in Jakarta and its surroundings, which today is a Betawi region. Although such folk performances also occur in several other places such as in Priangan known as Badawang, in Cirebon it is called Barongan Buncis and in Bali it is called Barong Landung, but ondel-ondel has distinctive characteristics. Ondel-ondel is classified as a form of theater without utterance, because it was originally used as the personification of ancestors or ancestors, protector of village safety and everything in it. Thus it can be considered as a playman or story, as is the case with “bekakak” in the “cut bekakak” ceremony in the limestone south of the city of Yogyakarta, which is held on the sapar month every year.
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Ondel-ondel is in the form of a large doll with a woven bamboo frame of approximately 2.5M in size, its height and diameter is less than 80 cm. Made in such a way so that the bearer inside can move rather freely. His hair is made from palm fiber, “duk” said the Betawi people. The face is masked or masked, with round (round) eyes glaring.
Ondel-ondel which depicts a man with a red face, which describes a woman with white or yellow faces. Ondel-ondel is usually used to enliven the procession, such as parading the bride of circumcision and so on. Commonly taken only a pair, male and female. But today depends on the demand that the owner has. Even in public celebrations such as the anniversary of Jakarta’s city anniversary, it is also common to carry a number of pairs, so that it is a very lively procession.

Ondel-ondel accompaniment music is not certain, depending on each group. Some were accompanied by Tanjidor, such as the Gejen-led ondel-ondel group, Setu village. Some were accompanied by the Pencak Betawi drum like the “Beringin Sakti” group leader Duloh (late), now headed by Yasin, from Rawasari. There were also those accompanied by Bende, “Kemes”, Ningnong and Rebana Ketimpring, such as the Lamoh ondel-ondel group, Kalideres.

Besides to enliven the procession in the past, it was also usual to hold a tour around, “Ngamen”. Especially in New Year celebrations, both Christian and Chinese. Aim at the Menteng New Year celebration, which is inhabited by many Christians. The main supporters of the farmers’ ondel-ondel arts are “abangan”, especially those found in the suburbs of Jakarta and surrounding areas.

Making ondel-ondel is carried out in an orderly manner, both when forming the guise as well as when weaving the body with bamboo material. Before the work begins, offerings are usually provided which include, among other things, red and white porridge, seven forms of salad, seven kinds of flowers and so on, besides being sure to be frankincense. Likewise, ondel-ondel has been prepared, and offerings and incense are usually provided, accompanied by spells aimed at the spirits who are considered to be waiting for the ondel-ondel. Before being released from the storage area, if you are going to play, offerings will be held immediately. Incense burning is carried out by the group leader, or one of the elder. According to local terms such ceremonies are called “Ukup” or “ngukup”.