Kuda Lumping

Kuda Lumping is the art of dance that is played with a horse property imitation, made from woven bamboo or braid. None of the historical record can explain the origin of this dance, only verbal history passed down from one generation to the next. That said, Kuda Lumping dance is a form of appreciation and support of the commoners against the cavalry of Prince Diponegoro in the face of Dutch colonizers.
There is also a version that says, that the Kuda Lumping dance describes the story of the struggle of Raden Patah, aided by Sunan Kalijaga, against the Dutch colonialists. Another version says that, this dance tells about the war games led by Mataram forces lane I, King of Mataram, to face the Dutch troops. Regardless of their origin and historical value, Kuda Lumping dance reflects the spirit of heroism and military aspects of a cavalry or cavalry. This is evident from the rhythmic movements, dynamic, and aggressive, through the flick of woven bamboo, mimicking the movement like a horse in the middle of battle. Often in Kuda Lumping dance performances, also featured attractions that demonstrate the power of magical supernatural smells, like attraction to chew glass, slashed arms with machetes, set fire to himself, walking on broken glass, and others. Perhaps, this attraction reflects a supernatural force, which in ancient Javanese kingdom flourished in the environment, and is a non-military aspects that are used to fight the Dutch troops. In East Java, is familiar with the art community in some 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 thanksgiving, of intent which was granted by the Almighty. In pementasanya, do not need a special choreography, and the supply of equipment as well as Karawitan gamelan. Gamelan to accompany dances Kuda Lumping quite simple, consisting only of Kendang, Kenong, Gong, and trumpet, the flute to sound shrill. The poems are brought in to accompany the dance, usually contains an appeal for people 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 an element of ritual. Because before the show begins, usually a charmer rain will perform rituals, to maintain the sunny weather remember to keep the show is usually done in the open field. In each pagelarannya, Kuda Lumping dance 4 fragment presents dance that is 2 times Buto dance Lawas, Senterewe dance, and dance Begon Princess. At Buto fragment Lawas, usually danced by men only and consists of 4 to 6 people dancer. Some young dancers riding bamboo matting and dancing to the music.
In this section, the dancers Buto Lawas to have possessed or possessed by spirits. The audience was not immune from this phenomenon of possession. Many local people who witnessed the event into a trance and danced with the dancers. In the unconscious, they continued to dance with energetic movement and looks compact with other dancers. To restore the consciousness of the dancers and the audience who possessed, in any event is always present its progenitor, one who has supernatural abilities that its presence can be recognized through the clothes she was wearing all black. The progenitor of this will give the bidder until the consciousness of the dancers and spectators recover. In the next fragment, dancers bring men and women join the dance senterewe. In the last fragment, with movements more relaxed, six women brought dance Begon Princess, which is a dance cover of a whole series of attractions Kuda Lumping dance.