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December 5, 2024 | 03:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - UNESCO has officially inscribed Reog Ponorogo performing art as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list. This marks Indonesia’s 14th cultural heritage entry on UNESCO’s list under the category of “In Need of Urgent Safeguarding.”
The inscription was announced during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said Reog Ponorogo’s designation as an intangible cultural heritage is a significant moment in the effort to preserve traditional cultural art rooted in local values and the spirit of mutual cooperation.
The minister reckoned that Reog Ponorogo’s inscription as the representative of Indonesian cultural heritage that combines courage, solidarity, and the beauty of local traditions on UNESCO's ICH list is a source of pride.
"At the same time, it serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to preserve and pass it on to future generations," said Fadli.
Reog Ponorogo as Intangible Cultural Heritage
UNESCO explained that Reog Ponorogo Performing Art is a centuries-old theatrical dance that is traditionally performed on various occasions. This dance is performed, for example, in disaster aversion ceremonies, village cleansing events, weddings, Islamic and national holidays, circumcisions, thanksgiving ceremonies, public festivities, and when welcoming guests.
The dancers are dressed as kings, war commanders, knights, and horse-mounted warriors to narrate the story of the Bantarangin Kingdom and its king.
Reog is characterized by the Dadak Merak, a large mask resembling a tiger’s head with a peacock perched on top. For the Ponorogo community, it is a source of pride and an embodiment of cultural values. However, performances are dwindling due to an increasing preference for modern music shows, which are considered more practical and less expensive.
Communities and the government have made various efforts to safeguard the practice, including by transmitting it through formal, informal, and non-formal education. However, the safeguarding process has not progressed as expected, as it is increasingly difficult to find Reog masters.
Reog Ponorogo, a performing art originating from Ponorogo Regency, East Java, reflects the harmony between dance, music, and mythology. This art illustrates the courage, solidarity, and dedication that have been the identity of the people of Ponorogo for centuries.
Reog also symbolizes mutual cooperation, which is reflected in its creative process, from mask-making to collaboration between artists, craftsmen, and the local community.
Challenges in Preserving Traditional Art
Minister Fadli Zon highlights the challenges of preserving traditional art in the modern age. He emphasizes that this inscription is an international recognition of Indonesia's cultural wealth as well as a call to preserve it amidst the challenges of globalization and modernization.
"Reog Ponorogo must not be allowed to disappear and its ecosystem must be revitalized," he said. He also reaffirms his commitment to preserve the art of Reog Ponorogo as part of the Cultural Advancement Law mandate.
Fadli Zon also invites the younger generation to continue to learn, love, and preserve Reog Ponorogo so that the noble values it embodies remain alive and can be passed on to the next generation.
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