Angguk Dance

Ten beautiful  girls and pengrawit  (accompanists) at the age of less than 25 years  old danced in synchronous movements. The dance performed was so synchronous and  full of symbolical meanings. Sunglasses, socks, and Western clothes, became the  main costumes. The costumes indicated the military elements of this  dance, particularly  because it resembled the military uniform of Dutch  soldiers during  colonization. In one of the episodes, a dancer ndadi (possessed by  spirit or, in terms of Sufi Dance, is called trance) and changed the lively  situation into a mystical one.

That  is a brief  illustration about the performance of Angguk Dance. The dance was originated in  Kulon Progo as an improvement of Dolalak Dance from Purworejo Regency, Central Java. It is said that the term Dolalak derived  from the musical notes scale in West diatonic, Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si. Regarding  the notes scale, Do and La is the inspiration of Dolalak Dance. It is not clear  who created, brought, and popularized Dolalak dance until it became Angguk  Dance and is recognized as the culture of Kulon Progo Regency.

Angguk  Dance  appeared in Kulon Progo around 1950. At first, this dance was performed as a dance  of teenagers gathering and was usually performed after the harvesting time as a  gratitude to God. Previously, this dance was performed by men. However, at around  1970, there was a change which placed women as the dancers instead of men. Some  art groups were
formed and provided female dancers. The reason of this change  was not obvious. This may be due to the commercialism and entertainment factors  which, unavoidably, recognized that female dancers are more interesting  than  the male dancers.

The  word “Angguk” came from the movemenet of the dancers which often nod their heads. The  movement of Angguk Dance was previously inspired by the army-style drill of  Dutch soldiers. Moreover, the costumes worn by the dancers also resemble the  uniform of Dutch soldiers.

There  are two  types of Angguk dance, namely Ambyakan dance and Pasangan dance. Ambyakan Dance  is performed by many dancers, usually more than 20. And Pasangan Dance is  performed by couples (even number of dancers). Angguk dance delivers moral  messages during its performance in form of traditional verse, advice about life,  and education through the songs sung by the vocalists.

In  every  performance, Angguk Dance adapts the story from Serat Ambiyo, namely the story  of Umarmoyo-Umarmadi and Wong Agung Jayengrono. Angguk  Dance’s duration is  about 3-7 hours. The number of dancers is always  even, ranging from 10 to 20  dancers and pengrawit (accompanists). However, in special occasions,  this dance can be performed in brief course within 15-30 minutes.

The  musical  instruments accompanying Angguk Dance is a combination between  Islam, Javanese,  and Western cultures. The instruments are rebana (a kind of tambourine),  bedug (large drum; usually suspended horizontally in a mosque to summon  to prayer), Kendang
 (a conical-shaped drum resting on crossbeams and  beaten with both hands; used to direct or conduct a group of players) Batangan,  Kendang Sunda, electrical bass, snare drum, keyboard, cybal, and  tambourine. The other personals are the vocalists consisting of 2 male singers  and  1 female singer.

The  costumes of  Angguk Dancer, which resembles the military uniform of  Dutch soldier, is  decorated by golden fringes, varnish, sash, black peaked hat, red or yellow  socks, and sunglasses.

Angguk  Dance is  usually performed in special occasions, such as circumcision or wedding. The  performance can be in the afternoon or during the night. The government of  Kulon Progo Regency always has Angguk dance performance during special events,  such as local art exhibition, official announcement, or cultural events.

Before  the show, a  group of Angguk Dance always hold such ritual as placing offerings around the  show location. Since then, the mystical atmosphere  is obvious. The peak of the  mystical atmosphere is during the scene of  ndadi by one of its dancers.  The dancer sometimes eats the offerings, such as setaman flowers (flower  of seven kinds; water and flour mixture used ceremoniously) or drink the  offerings water.

Angguk  Dance is  unique because it combines the elements of Islam, West (Dutch), and East (Yogyakarta). The element of Islam is represented by Shalawat  Nabi  (prayer to honor the Prophet) which always becomes the opening song of  the performance. In addition, the use of musical instruments bedug and rebana indicates that this form of art is influenced by Islam.

Western  elements are obviously seen from  the movements of the dancers which are inspired by the army-style drill during  the Dutch colonization. In addition to the movements, costumes worn by the  dancers also resemble the military uniform of Dutch soldiers. However, there is  a slight difference. The dancers do not wear trousers like common military  uniform, but they wear shorts.

The  Eastern  elements is represented by the graciousness of the movements. This graciousness  is a unique characteristic of Eastern culture, particularly of Special Province  of Yogyakarta. Moreover, the dance presents the story of Umarmoyo-Umarmadi and  Wong Agung Jayengrono
written in Serat Ambiyo. Therefore, this dance is  a nice  integration of different cultures. The military aspect is beautifully  combined with the graciousness of the movement and the Islamic musical  instruments. The result is a synchronous dance movements full of graciousness.

Angguk Dance also  combines mystical elements into the art of performance. The episode of ndadi  (trance) in the performance is able to change the lively situation into a  mystical one. In addition to Angguk Dance, there are other traditional arts  practising ndadi in the performance, such as Jathilan (horse dance).

The  location of  Angguk Dance traditional art group is spread around the districts of Kulon  Progo Regency, starting from Temon, Samigaluh, to Kokap. Some Angguk Dance art  groups are Putri Puspa Rini from Kulur  Subdistrict, Temon District; Angguk  Sri Lestari from Pripih Village,
Hargomulyo  Subdistrict, Kokap District; and  Angguk Mekar Perwitasari from Tlogolalo  Village, Hargomulyo Subdistrict,  Kokap District.

Angguk  Dance is usually performed during  cultural festivals particularly held by the Government of Kulon Progo Regency.  However, if visitors want to  watch the performance of Angguk Dance,  particularly of Putri Sri Lestari Group, they can come to Pripih  Village, Hargomulyo Subdistrict,  Kokap District, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Province of Yogyakarta.

This  area is  accessible by private two-wheel or four-wheel vehicles. Visitors can also use  public transportation by taking a Yogyakarta-Wates bus, stop at Wates bus  station, and take another public transportation (of yellow color and usually  called colt or colt tuyul   heading for Kokap District.

There  is no  particular charge for watching Angguk Dance performance because it is usually  performed in particular event, thus it is funded by the organizer. However, if  the show is held in a gallery, visitors will be charged for the entrance  ticket.

Visitors  will be  charged if they have special order of Angguk Dance performance  (summoning  Angguk Dance), when there is no performance schedule of the  group. The amount  of the charge depends on the deal between visitors (summoner) and the manager  of Angguk Dance art group.

Visitors  who want  to summon Angguk Dance only need to prepare the fee (summoning cost), while all  other equipments : dancers, vocalists, costumes, musical instruments, and the  sound system will be prepared by  the art groups.

Some  art groups also  provide brief performance which lasts for about 15-30 minutes. The traditional  art group of Angguk Dance Putri Sri Lestari is  able to perform 100 dancers in a  show

Text taken from : wisata melayu.com