Reog Ponorogo and Indonesian Street Performing Arts 2024

Celebrating the vibrant traditional performing arts practice of Reog Ponorogo, this inaugural cultural event will showcase dramatic costumes and the folkloric stories of the northwest region of East Java and Ponorogo in Indonesia.

The name ‘Reog Ponorogo’ takes from the term ‘Reog’ – a traditional dance combining displays of physical prowess and the mystical – and ‘Ponorogo’, the area in East Java where Rego Ponorogo originated.

The day will commence with a parade around Fed Square, main stage performances from the Indonesian dance companies of Sanggar Lestari, Sanggar Widya Luvtari, Sanggar Sang Penari Indonesia, Australian Pencak Silat Federation, Minang Saiyo, Sedulur Jawa Victoria and Melbourne Community Gamelan music. The event will culminate with the Reog Ponorogo dance performance in the Main Square.

Come, bring your family and friends to experience a day of traditional Indonesian dance and celebration.

The story of Reog Ponorogo

Reog Ponorogo combines dance and music to tell the story of the battle between King Klono Sewandono and a magical lion-like creature, Singa Barong.

Klono Sewandono set out on a journey to the kingdom of Kediri, reigned by a beautiful princess named Puteri Songgo Langit. On his journey to seek the hand of the princess, he was attacked by Singa Barong, a guardian of the forest that surrounds the Kediri kingdom. An arduous battle ensues between the black-clad Warok warriors of King Kelono and Singa Barong.

Other prominent figures in Reog Ponorogo performances are the valiant Bujang Ganong masked dancers, who represent cleverness, agility and loyalty, and the graceful Jathilan dancers on woven horses, who embody beauty, youth and bravery.

The Reog is accompanied by an ensemble of percussion instruments such as gong, kenong, gendang, tipong, angklung, and a reed instrument called slompret.