The Dance of Lengger Tapeng

A. Overview

The term of Lengger Tapeng may still sound strange in ears. Beside has sacred nuance, this kind of traditional dance is rarely found at the present. In fact, its rarity is currently being protected to be not being crushed by time. Although relatively rare, we still can watch the dance performance that still being conserved in some places in Kulon Progo Regency, Special District of Yogyakarta (DIY).

Seeing from the name itself, Lengger Tapeng is a fusion between the dance of Lengger and the dance of mask (Topeng). The dance of Lengger is known as traditional dance originating from Wonosobo, Central Java. The term Lengger is actually an abbreviation of the sentence "elinga, ngger", in Javanese language means "please remember, kid”. Someone said that the term of Lengger was derived from the word "Ledek", which means "dancer" and "commotion" which means "crowded". Therefore, Lengger can also be interpreted to "the dancers who invite the crowd".

Supposed between the dance of Lengger Tapeng from Kulonprogo and the dance of Lengger from Wonosobo have a connection. Currently, there is found an art group called “Indra Cipto” located in Kulonprogo Regency came from the area of Borobudur, Magelang, which its location is near from Wonosobo. Since 1915, Joyo Dikoro, the leader of Indra Cipto Group has been developing the art of Lengger Tapeng dance in Kulonprogo and continued by his descendants up until now.

The literal meaning of Lengger is actually related to the actor who is played in Lengger Tapeng dance, which was one piece of the story in Kediri Kingdom. As the story told, once upon a time, the great ruler of Kediri Kingdom, King Brawijaya, lost her beloved daughter, Dewi Sekartaji, who ran away from the Kingdom for refusing an arranged marriage with Prabu Klono from the Kingdom of Sebrang.

Then, King Brawijaya held a contest for who managed to find the princess would be awarded if the person is a man, he will be married of with Dewi Sekartaji. If the person is women, the King will appoint her as His daughter. Of the many participants who joined the competition, the only remains were two of them. Both these were Raden Panji Asmoro Bangun from the Kingdom of Jenggala and Prabu Klono who was already paired with the Princess Dewi Sekartaji.

During finding the Princess Dewi Sekartaji, Raden Panji Asmoro Bangun changed his name to be Joko Kembang Kuning together searching the Princess with his guards who disguised as an itinerant group of dancers. Passing some villages, the group set the stage with improvised musical instruments. They performed the dance of mask played by men dressed up like women.

The Mask Dance performed by the group of Joko Kembang Kuning began to attract many people. Every time the show was held, many people came to watch. This is the reason why the dance performed was then known as Lengger Tapeng. The popularity of Lengger Tapeng show finally came to the Princess Dewi Sekartaji who was apparently curious.

At the same time, there came some messengers from Prabu Klono, which led by his older sister named Retno Tenggaron, to bring the Princess Dewi Sekartaji at once applied her as the wife of Prabu Klono. The Princess instantly declined and a war arisen between the forces of Retno Tenggaron against the Princess Dewi Sekartaji who assisted by Joko Kembang Kuning.

The forces of Sebrang Kingdom were defeated, but Prabu Klono remained to ask the Princess Dewi Sekartaji to be given to Him. Finally, King Brawijaya held a contest once again between Prabu Klono and Joko Kembang Kuning aka Raden Panji Asmoro Bangun to fight and the winner has the right to marry the Princess Dewi Sekartaji. Raden Panji Asmoro Bangun who represented by his loyal commander, Tawang Alun, finally managed to win the duel. At the end of the story, the wedding of Raden Panji Asmoro Bangun and the Princess Dewi Sekartaji was held and enlivened with the performance of Lengger Tapeng dance.

B. Features

The dance of Lengger Tapeng is also known as the dance of masked Tayub. It is indeed a derivative of the variant Tayub dance that has been developed and spread in Java. However, there is little difference between the dances of Lengger Tapeng and Tayub. The dance of Tayub should be danced by young virgin woman, while the dance of Lengger Tapeng should be played either by men or by women.

The main dancers in Lengger Tapeng are usually paired. The female dancers are dressed up such the princess from the kingdom of Java wearing a tank top and scarf, while the male dancers wearing mask. There are various colors of masks, which are red, yellow, and green, with varied expression adjusted to each character.

Each masked dancer is dressed up like the figure of nobility or knights wearing some accessories such the crown, necklace, the protector of arm and ear, belt, and the fabric in batik pattern. In addition, they also wear a scarf pinned on the weight of each male dancer to make their movement easier when dancing. The scene has classical tale of love story of the Princess Dewi Sekartaji and played in such an entertaining concept.

The dancers of Lengger Tapeng Dance play a series of dance movements for few minutes in each round accompanied by musical instrument of gamelan playing lively on the stage. Some musical instrument tools of gamelan such as Saron, drum, gong, and other gamelan instruments are played from the beginning until the end of the performance.

Similar with Tayub Dance, Lengger Tapeng Dance is also held in traditional events, such as the feast, ruwatan, thanksgiving, celebration, commemoration of holy days, and so on. One popular event that usually enlivened by the performance of Lengger Tapeng Dance is the rice harvest thanksgiving ceremony as a form of gratitude to Almighty God for the success obtained by harvesting crops.

Besides aiming for an entertainment, the performance of Lengger Tapeng Dance also contains religious and mystical nuances. Frequently, one of the players dances until being possessed by spirit that makes the dancer would behave in an unconscious state. The way to cure the possessed dancer is unique. The dancer is given a drink that has been mixed with special concoction of scrapings mask. In addition, there is some people use the performance of Lengger Tapeng Dance as a pledge. For example, if there is a person with severe pain usually makes a promise to hold the art performance of Lengger Tapeng Dance when he is given a cure. Thus, Lengger Tapeng becomes something still upheld in the tradition of that society.

C. Location

The art of Lengger Tapeng Dance was born and being conserved in some places of Kulon Progo District, especially in the villages located in the hills of the mountains of Menoreh. Typically, the performance is held by the family for some celebration, such as circumcision, childbirth, thanksgiving, and so on. The early beginning of the art of Lengger Tapeng dance is located in Nglinggo Hamlet, Pagerharjo Village, Samigaluh District, Kulon Progo Regency, Special District of Yogyakarta (DIY).

Until now, the existence of Lengger Tapeng dance is maintained by all residents of Nglinggo Hamlet. In fact, this village is frequently visited by some researchers, academics, and art lovers who want to learn, explore, while preserving the art of Lengger Tapeng Dance. The village is open for public and it has been designated as a rural tourism that certainly presents an interesting variety of uniqueness.

In addition, the art of Lengger Tapeng Dance Lengger Tapeng Dance is often held in some cultural celebrations, such as Yogyakarta Arts Festival in Kulon Progo or Yogyakarta Arts Festival at other regencies in Special District of Yogyakarta (DIY). It is also still often held in a center of cultural activities in Yogyakarta, such as in Menoreh Green Lands, Sendangsari Village, Pengasih, Kulon Progo, or Cultural Park of Yogyakarta.

E. Price

To be able to watch the performance of Lengger Tapeng Dance, which is usually held as a party who is having a celebration is free of charges. Enjoying the performing art of of Lengger Tapeng Dance at the time of convening festivals or cultural events are also free of any entrance fees. However, sometimes some special event requires us to pay for the ticket.

Text: N. Iswara Raditya

English translation: M. Noer said

Photo: The Collection of Jogjatrip.com

(Primary data and various sources)

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