Kuda Lumping is the art of dance that is played with a horse property in the form of imitation, made from woven bamboo or braids. None of the historical record can explain the origin of this dance, only verbal history passed down from one generation to the next. Kuda Lumping dance is a form of appreciation and support of the commoners against cavalry of Prince Diponegoro in the face of Dutch colonizers.

There is also a version that mentioned that the Kuda Lumping dance depicting the struggle of Raden Patah, assisted by Sunan Kalijaga, against the Dutch colonialists. Another version says that, this dance tells the story of the Mataram army war game led the lane I, King of Mataram, to face the Dutch troops.

Regardless of their origin and historical value, Kuda Lumping dance illustrates the spirit of heroism and military aspects of a cavalry or cavalry. This is evident from the movements of a dynamic and aggressive, through the flick of woven bamboo, mimicking the movement like a horse in the middle of a war. Often in dance performances also featured attractions that demonstrate the power of magical supernatural smells, such as the attraction to chew glass, slashed his arms with machetes, set fire to himself, walking on broken glass, and others. Perhaps, the attraction supernatural force that’s reflects the antiquity of the Kingdom of developing in Java environments and a non-military aspects that are used to fight the Dutch troops.

In East Java, is familiar with public art in several areas, such as Malang, Nganjuk, Tulungagung, and other areas. This dance is usually displayed on certain events, such as the welcome guest of honor, and as a thanksgiving, the intent is granted by the Almighty. It’s not need a special choreography, and the supply of equipment such as Karawitan gamelan. Gamelan to accompany dances Kuda Lumping is quite simple, consisting only of Kendang, Kenong, Gong, and trumpet, the flute to sound shrill. Poems are brought in to accompany the dance, usually containing the human urge to always do good deeds and always remember the Great Creator. Besides containing the elements of entertainment and religion, traditional arts Kuda Lumping is often also contain elements of ritual. Because before the show begins, usually a charmer rain will perform rituals, to maintain a sunny weather remember to keep the show is usually done in the open field.

In each pagelarannya, Kuda Lumping dance will present four dances that is two times fragments Buto dance Lawas, Senterewe dance, and dance Begon Princess. At Buto Lawas fragments, usually danced by men only and consist of four to six men dancers. Some young dancers are riding bamboo matting and dancing to the music. In this section, Lawas Buto dancers can experience the trance or possessed by spirits. The audience was not spared from this phenomenon of demon possession. Many people around who witnessed the performances become possessed by the devil and come dance with the dancers. Unconscious, they continued to dance with energetic movements and visible bond with the other dancers. To restore the consciousness of the possessed dancers and audience, each show is always present in the progenitor, ie people who have supernatural abilities whose presence can be recognized through the clothes he was wearing all black. The progenitor of this will give bidders until the consciousness of the dancers and spectators recovered.

In the next fragment, male and female dancers to join the dance brought senterewe. In the last fragment, with movements that are more relaxed, six females Begon dance brought the Princess, who is a dance cover of the entire chain Kuda Lumping dance attractions.