It doesn’t feel satisfied if we come to Wonosobo just to see the tourism place. But, it will be complete if we can know the culture which in that cool city. Wonosobo famous with its thousands of culture. One of that is “Lengger Dance”
In this “Lengger Dance”, the dancer is a man who wear woman traditional clothes. The existence of a man in this dance has philosophy and purpose certain of. Early, that dance is pioneering in Giyanti Village by a figure of traditional art from Kecis Village, Selomerto Subdistrict, he is Mr.Gondhowinangun in 1910.
“Lengger” originated from java language “elinga ngger” which mean is “ remember, boy/girl”. This dance give instructions so as to each people must remember to The God and always nice do with peer.
The story of this dance is, it begin when Brawijaya King who loss his child, Dewi Sekartaji. Then, he arrange a prize contest to reward for everyone who can find his child. If the finder is a man, he will make him become a husband for the princess, and if the finder is a woman, he will make her become a daughter.
And the final in that prize contest already leave two participants, they are Raden Panji Asmoro Bangun who undercover with name Joko Kembang Kuning from Jenggala Kingdom. One again, Prabu Klono from Sebrang Kingdom, he is a man who make princess go out from house because her father will give in marriage them.
In that searchings, Joko Kembang Kuning and his body guard undercover as circumference dancer which gone about from one village to the other village. The dancer figure is a man who wear mask and wear woman clothes with offbeat music. In fact, each its show, it get royally reception, so it call by “Lengger” which originated from “Ledek (dancer)” word and “Ger or Geger (noisy or uproar)”.
Until in a village, this “Lengger” dance can extract Dewi Sekartaji Princess attention from her shelter. But at same time, Prabu Klono also find the Princess, and then he propose marriage to Dewi Sekartaji. But Dewi Sekartaji refuse that.
Whereas Prabu Klono and Kembang Kuning still demand their rightful authority to the King, so the King order them to scrapped. In that scrapped, Joko Kembang Kuning can bear down Prabu Klono. In last story, Joko Kembang Kuning and Dewi Sekartaji get married, and in the party is show “Lengger mask dance”.
“Lengger mask dance” still hold out until now. That dance usual do by two person, a man wear mask and a woman wear traditional clothes Java Princess in past time. The dancers dance about ten minutes with music escort “Gambang”, “Saron”, “Kendang”, “Gong”, and other.
Now, “Lengger” dance usual be show in desire party, festal day, expression of gratitude to God and folk party other. Moreover, to interest the people, the “Lengger” dance also can present magical attraction, such “Kuda Lumping”.
In Wonosobo, “Lengger Giyanti” be use people to enliven marriage ceremony, circumcision, Islam festal day, etc. The fungtions of “Lengger Giyanti” are as rituality which as regard trusty to God, as entertainment, performance and education. Because that dance often performance in various programs, so the fungtion shift from guidance become performance.
Nature potential and Giyanti culture are one of fctor “Lengger” art become asset of a tour in Giyanti Village. It look from frequency performance of “Lengger” as a tour. Because that, a “Lengger” tour become one of efforts conservation “Lengger” traditional art which near to extinct. So, we as nation generation must can continue this “Lengger” art.
