Indonesian Heritage Society

Indonesia is a multicultural country which consists of thousand islands and tribes. The differences of demography and geography cause cultural differences, including the outfits worn by each tribe. Batik is one of the outfits that are quite popular, and its popularity has been known worldwide.

If you watch TV and see the President of Indonesia talking in public or in international conferences, you may see him wearing such an ethnic shirt with unique motifs. That is what so called batik, the national clothes of Indonesia citizens.

In some occasions, Indonesian may wear their traditional outfits, such as kebaya, baju kurung, ulos, etc. But when they come to national events, batik talks much. This outfit is a symbol of unity. It is a uniform which is considered as a must. This is a way to show how proud they are to be Indonesia citizens.

Indonesian Batik has been claimed as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity for all the techniques, technology, motif development, and the cultural values needed to make a piece of it. It is because the process includes two factors coloring techniques and the choice of the motifs. This step is not easy since every motif should have a characteristic.

Indonesian believe that the existence of Batik started in Majapahit era, and increasingly popular in the end of 18th century or he beginning of 19th century. Batik was actually purely handmade, but later on, as the technology has developed, it is mostly printed. What supports this change the most is the amount of orders. The handmade ones do need long time of painting, but the printed ones need shorter time.

Years ago, batik was only worn in formal occasions. At that time, Indonesian tend to choose batik instead of tuxedo or other formal outfits. But today, batik is even worn by students and employees as their uniform in certain days, such as every Friday.

In some families, Batik is even considered as a tradition. It makes them have their own motifs which are different from other families. It is like their identity, since the motifs can even show their economical status. Until now, the traditional motifs are still used by the family of Yogyakarta and Surakarta residence. Batik is probably the most unique outfit you have ever known. Where else you can find that brands do not talk much, but motifs do

Reog Dance

Basically there are five versions of the popular story that developed in the community about the origin and Warok Reog, but one of the most famous story is the story of the rebellion Ki Ageng Flea, a royal servant during Bhre Kertabhumi, the last king of Majapahit who ruled in the nineteenth century -15. Ki Ageng Flea wrath will strongly influence from the Chinese partner in the government and the king, the king of a corrupt behavior, he saw that the power of the Majapahit kingdom will end.

He then left the king and established the university where he taught young children martial arts, science self immunity, and the science of perfection in the hope that young children will become the seed of the resurrection of the Majapahit kingdom again later. Realizing that his army is too small to fight the royal troops Ki Ageng political message conveyed by fleas Reog performing arts, which is a "hint" to the king and his kingdom Kertabumi Bra. Cultural Reog a way Ki Ageng Flea local communities to build resistance using Reog popularity.

Reog performance shown in the shape of lion-head masks, known as the 'Lion Barong ", the king of the forest, which became the symbol for Kertabumi, and above attached peacock feathers to resemble a giant fan that symbolize the strong influence of his Chinese colleagues who set up all the motion - bearing. Jatilan, played by groups of dancers who gemblak horse riding became a symbol of the strength of troops into the kingdom of Majapahit contrast ratio warok strength, which is behind the red clown mask that became the symbol for Ki Ageng Lice, alone and support the weight of the mask reaches more singabarong of 50kg using only his teeth. Ki Ageng Reog popularity eventually led Kertabumi Lice take action and attack the school, the rebellion by warok quickly resolved, and universities to continue teaching prohibited to warok. But the students remained lice Ki Ageng continue secretly. Even so, Reognya own art is still allowed to be staged because the show has become popular among the people, but the story has a new line where the added characters from folklore Kelono Sewondono Ponorogo ie, Goddess Songgolangit, and Sri Genthayu.

Reog Dance

Official version Reog Ponorogo storyline now is the story of King Ponorogo daughter who intend applying for Kediri, Dewi Ragil Yellow, but amid the journey he was intercepted by King Singabarong from Kediri. Singabarong king's army consists of peacocks and lions, while the part of the kingdom of King Ponorogo Kelono and deputy Bujanganom, escorted by warok (men dressed in black in the dance), and warok has a deadly black magic. The whole dance is a dance of war between the kingdom and the kingdom of Kediri Ponorogo, and pitted black magic between them, the dancers in a state of 'trance' while performing the dance.

Until now people Ponorogo only follow what their ancestral heritage as a cultural inheritance which is very rich. In the experience of art is the copyright Reog human creations that form the existing faiths were hereditary and awake. The ceremony also use terms that are not easy for lay people to meet without a clear lineage. they embrace Parental lineage and customary law which is still valid.