Ondel-ondel
Encyclopedia
Ondel-ondel is a form of folk performance using a large puppets. It originated from Betawi, Indonesia
and is often performed in festivals. The word ondel-ondel refers to both the performance and the puppet.
Ondel-ondel, the puppet, is about 2.5 meters tall with ± 80 cm diameter, made of woven bamboo. It is constructed in such a way so that it easily lifted by one person from the inside of the puppet. The puppet is usually dressed in brightly coloured garments, and in some occasions, in traditional Betawi clothing. The puppet's mask face is typically made of wood, and the hair from dried palm tree leaves that has been shredded lengthways. An ondel-ondel can either be of the female or male gender. The wooden mask of the male puppet is traditionally painted red, while the female painted white.
Ondel-ondel as a folk performance is also practiced in other parts of Indonesia. In Pasundan
, it is known as Badawang, while in Central Java
it is called Barongan Buncis. In Bali
, it is better known as Barong Landung.
Traditionally, ondel-ondel is performed to provide protection against calamities or for warding off wandering evil spirits. It is often thought of as a spiritual representation of the ancestors who safeguards the village residents and their descendants. Although, as of late, ondel-ondel is utilised more for livening up festivals or for welcoming guests of honor. Ondel-ondel is one of only few Indonesian folk performances that has survived modernisation and is still being regularly performed, while other folk performances are slowly dying out.
The musical acompaniment for the ondel-ondel performance varies with regions, occasions and groups of performances.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and is often performed in festivals. The word ondel-ondel refers to both the performance and the puppet.
Ondel-ondel, the puppet, is about 2.5 meters tall with ± 80 cm diameter, made of woven bamboo. It is constructed in such a way so that it easily lifted by one person from the inside of the puppet. The puppet is usually dressed in brightly coloured garments, and in some occasions, in traditional Betawi clothing. The puppet's mask face is typically made of wood, and the hair from dried palm tree leaves that has been shredded lengthways. An ondel-ondel can either be of the female or male gender. The wooden mask of the male puppet is traditionally painted red, while the female painted white.
Ondel-ondel as a folk performance is also practiced in other parts of Indonesia. In Pasundan
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
, it is known as Badawang, while in Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
it is called Barongan Buncis. In Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
, it is better known as Barong Landung.
Traditionally, ondel-ondel is performed to provide protection against calamities or for warding off wandering evil spirits. It is often thought of as a spiritual representation of the ancestors who safeguards the village residents and their descendants. Although, as of late, ondel-ondel is utilised more for livening up festivals or for welcoming guests of honor. Ondel-ondel is one of only few Indonesian folk performances that has survived modernisation and is still being regularly performed, while other folk performances are slowly dying out.
The musical acompaniment for the ondel-ondel performance varies with regions, occasions and groups of performances.