Saman Dance: The beauty from Compactness in motion and harmony

The Saman Dance from Gayo Lues and surrounding areas in Aceh province, was officially recognized and included in the list of objects of cultural heritage was on 24 november 2011, which requires urgent protection by UNESCO. Saman dance is a popular traditional dance from Aceh, Indonesia. Saman Dance is very interesting by categories of dance . Invented by a cleric Acehnese named Sheikh Saman in XIV century AD, of the Gayo highlands. The uniqueness of this saman dance lies in the amazing compactness movements . The saman dancers move in unison and following a harmonious rhythm of music. That regular movements likely as driven by one body , continues with a compact dance , and following a dynamic sang songs.

In a normal appearance (not games) where there is a limited time, Saman can be played by 10-12 dancers, but the integrity of Saman dance is supported at least by 15-17 dancers. Saman dance played in a sitting position. Saman dance patterns in space is also limited at the level, ie, the height position of the body. From a sitting position on his knees turned to a position above the knee (Gayo - berlembuku) which is the highest level, being the lowest level is when the dancers body bent forward until 45o (tungkuk) or tilted backward until 60o (langat). Sometimes when you perform the movement with tilt to the right or left of the so-called singkeh. There are also exercise in a sitting position next pitch to right-or left-rear (Lingang).

Saman Dance is usually guided by a leader who is typically called the Sheikh. Saman Dancers and Sheikh should be able to work well together to create a compact and harmonious movement. Because of saman dance is played without musical instruments, then as a retinue to make the sound is using hand and body. There are several ways to get these sounds:

*. Clap both hands. This is usually use in moderate to fast tempo
*. Punch both hands to the chest. Usually use in upbeat
*. Clap your palms next to the chest. Was generally use in mid beat
*. Friction with the thumb-hand middle finger (kertip). Was generally use in mid beat.

In every show, all motion, poetry and song is synergize in a motion to produce amazing dance. So Saman strength lies not only in his verse alone but the compact of the motions are giving more value for the dance. This is manifest from the compliance of the dancers in their respective roles to play. And the song of the dancers add to the dynamics of saman dance. Where is the way to sing the songs in the Saman dance is divided into 5 types:

*. Rengum, the roar that was started by the lifter.
*. Tones, namely rengum that soon followed by all dancers.
*. Redet, namely short songs with short sound sung by a dancer in the middle of the dance.
*. Syek, the song sung by a dancer with a long high-pitched voice, usually as a sign of change in motion
*. Saur, the song that is repeated by all the dancers after sung by a solo dancer.

Now, along with the development, Tari Saman developed into an art that can be played in all occasions be it in the country and abroad. Until the end now customary Acehnese dance called saman dance, established by UNESCO as one of cultural heritage objects that do not require urgent protection of the world in the 6th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Cultural Heritage with No items by UNESCO in Nusa Dua, Bali

Just watch this video that i found on you tube , enjoyed !

BIG Thanks to Jakarta Expat magazine

This article, we wrote as an expression of pride for some success that we can achieve in several months backwards. It is based on the publishing in some of our article (which had pass through the editing process in advance ) in a magazine called JAKARTA EXPAT edition 56 with themed traveling. It became an honor for us as writers who are still very amateur in the field of journalism. This success is a momentum for us and very valuable to make this better for JAVABACKPACKER and hopefuly it can be useful for all readers as an Indonesia media information , especially on matters relating to traveling with the aim of destination in INDONESIA.

Overview for Jakarta Expat Magazine
This magazine is a good magazine and published by a period of two weeks, at the present, it is more widely circulated in Jakarta area. This magazine is published by PT KOLEKSI KLASIK INDONESIA . The magazine carries a different theme in each of its issues, and contains interesting things about it, either in Jakarta or elsewhere that became the theme when the magazine was published. Target readers are expatriates who living in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta and throughout Indonesia society in general. For further information please contact PT Koleksi Klasik Indonesia (Phone: 021 7179 4550), Or for those of you who want to see the magazine by online please visit the following link http://jakartaexpat.biz/

And before the last from this article , We would say Thank you very much to Jakarta Expat Magazine which have giving us this opportunity to contribute on their magazine , especially many thanks to Angela Richardson as an Editor . And for the readers on this blog , We as a javabackpacker , wanna say BIG thanks for all your visits and supports .

Best Regards,

Javabackpacker

Phinisi : Luxurious and thoughness from Bulukumba boat maker

Phinisi is a traditional sailing boat from Indonesia. The toughness for sailing in every ocean is no doubt. Phinisi in originaly word comes from the word of Venice, some other are saying that Phinisi derived from the name of the fish. And you know where the origin of the boats Phinisi was made? If you have not already, please visit Bulukumba region located in the coastal area of Tanjung Bira, south Sulawesi.There you will see some boats that are being or entity in the stage production along the shore. This region is the main center for the birthplace of the boats Phinisi. Phinisi is a ship that is very famous for its strength in the ocean surf. Phinisi timber ships have been used in Indonesia since a few centuries ago, is expected to ship Phinisi existed before the year 1500s.

Types of traditional boats that have become a trademark Bulukumba nautical tradition of ancestor Indonesia. Bugis Makassar is one of the nation's maritime heir. Considerable evidence suggests they may possess the expertise of the sea with a sailboat. Overseas they've known since many centuries ago. They not only controlled the waters of the archipelago, but since a few centuries ago also wandered far beyond national borders. Considerable evidence suggests that since the first Bugis Makassar sailors have arrived in the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Filipinos, Northern Australia, Madagascar .



Phinisi vessel consists of three front screen (jib Sails), 2 main screen (main Sails) and 2 display at the top (top Sails). These vessels are often used to transport goods between islands. Making boats usually begins with a search of wood in the forest. Type of wood used as material for wooden boats is ironwood as the main timber, lumber and wood kandoleng bitti. For boats Phinisi used as tourist boat, the wood used age 20 to 30 years, while for the old wooden fishing boats used 10 years. Phinisi boat made from the outside in, and are generally built with a hull (boat body) the same, namely ketimun. It choose by shaped of coconut fiber or wood that is straight and long, especially for the manufacture of keel boats, usually used ironwood. With the ritual ceremony preceded the laying off of wood or iron that has been carved ironwood. The process of making this boat is quite a long time about a year.

A few weeks ago, on 8 November 2011, a new history that has been carved by the people in Bulukumba boat maker. A boat Phinisi 4 billion rupiahs worth of orders from Poland , da most luxurious and largest ever made in history of Bulukumba This boat has a length of 50 meters and the widest part of nearly 10 meters, with a manufacturing process that takes approximately 9 months. That trust which is given from the Poland nation is an achievement of the great pride for the community Bulukumba, and the Indonesia community at large.

The only timber ships with a length of 31 meters, weighs 150 tons which had also earn the respect of military aircraft carrier USS America military Constelation when the ship Phinisi screen is cruised at Home Bay and bumped into the mother ship with 80.000 tons dead weight, made of steel and powered by nuclear, which is the middle leaned against it. Attendance for Phinisi is inviting admiration from entire crew were present at the time. This trip was taken from Indonesia to Vancouver, who was holding an international event. Many of Cruise and liveaboard company using this Phinisi boat as they main attraction for tourist luxurious at the sea . As the national cultural heritage, Phinisi is the pride of Bugis society and Indonesian .

Tritip : The crocodiles breeding area on East Kalimantan

The location of captive breeding for crocodiles which are quite famous in the East Kalimantan region is located on Jl Mulawarman No. 66, Village of Tritip, Eastern District of Balikpapan. Located about 28 kilometers and can be reached within 30 minutes from Balikpapan city center, or 20 minutes from the airport of Sepinggan. The place is open for public tours every day from 8:00 to 17:00 pm, with an entrance fee of Rp. 10,000, -/adults. Going to Tritip region, we were greeted by a pair of large alligator statue. There are some inhabited for a few elephants and buffaloes behind the great cage . Just to the opposite, we can see the indigenous newly built of Dayak house . Seems to be used as a meeting hall, or other activities. A few yards further we entering to a new enclosure area inhabited by hundreds of crocodiles, various shapes and sizes.

The Tritip crocodile breeding is a crocodile breeding with the most number of crocodiles in East Kalimantan. Currently there are more than 1450 pieces of crocodiles, consisting of estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) is the most dominant , and two endangered crocodile species , the freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) and crocodiles chopsticks (Tomistoma segelly). In approximately 5 hectares area , thousands of crocodiles is captive in dozens of cages.

Crocodiles are a large reptiles that live in the water. Scientifically, covering all species of crocodile Crocodylidae tribal members, including the crocodile fish (Tomistoma schlegelly). Crocodiles are known as a wild and dangerous animal. As a record, two of the largest crocodile alligator was measured for along 6.2 m . The first crocodile was shot in the Mary River, Northern Territory, Australia in 1974 by a poacher, which is then measured by a forestry officer. Where as the second crocodile was killed in the Fly River, Papua New Guinea. The size of the second crocodile is actually derived from the skin, as measured by Jerome Montague, a wildlife researcher. And because of the size of the skin is always smaller (shrinking) from the original size of the animal, it is believed that the crocodile was at least two measuring over 10 cm long when alive.



Crocodiles are generally inhabit freshwater like rivers, lakes, swamps and other wetlands, but there also live in brackish water such as the estuarine crocodile. The main food crocodile is vertebrate animals such as the nation's fish, reptiles and mammals, sometimes also prey on mollusks and crustaceans depending on the species. Crocodiles are ancient animals, which is only slightly changed due to evolution since the time of dinosaurs.

Given that many of its population continues to decline and toward extinction, many species of crocodiles in various countries to be included in protected status. Four types of crocodiles that exist in Indonesia, namely Crocodylus novaeguineae (New Guinea crocodile); C. porosus (estuarine crocodile); C. siamensis (Siamese crocodiles); and Tomistoma schlegelii (crocodiles sinyulong) has been protected by law. And some of them exist in this breeding sites.

In the Tritip crocodile breeding , visitors can look closely at the movements of these amphibians. Visitors can directly feed with a live chicken or fish to the crocodiles . When the crocodiles fighting over food, here they are the main things that attracted the attention of visitors. Crocodile feeding schedule only twice a week. But, visitors can buy a chicken for Rp 10,000 and direct feed to the crocodiles . For all of the visitors must to obey all of safety instructions contained in the breeding area, although there are crocodiles have been accustomed to be a spectacle, but as the nature of the crocodile as a beast, they remain fierce. But if any of the visitors who have the guts large enough, can also request to be photographed various poses with the crocodiles , of course, it must be accompanied by the handler,

There are also exist some crocodile which enclosure for livestock. This crocodile are breeds for consumed only, special for their meat and skin. So do not be surprised if in Ttritip breeding region we can find shops that sell alligator meat skewers and accessories made from crocodile skin. With the different variations in form and price. For a small alligator bag, sold at prices ranging from Rp.1.080.000, -, if the purses and belts around Rp.300,000, - or more. But, for the sale of crocodile satay, crocodile tangkur , crocodile oil, and others are only available on weekends or holidays. Happy traveling!

Indonesia Cruises and liveaboard

TweetLocated in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is home to active volcanoes, dense jungle, white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, stunning landscapes and exotic wildlife. Cruises aboard traditional Indonesian ships and yachts are an excellent option for travelers interested in exploring the remote islands along the eastern half of the Indonesian archipelago. Far from the crowds of Bali, going to these small and astonishingly beautiful islands with schooner ships offer a unique glimpse into the natural beauty of Indonesia and the colorful traditions and culture of the native Indonesian people. Here they are some of Indonesia cruise and live aboard that would bring the new experience travel trip around the sea of beauty islands in Indonesia.

Silolona

The Silolona is truly classic, luxury yacht where no expense has been spared to ensure that discerning travellers can discover and admire the stunning scenery and underwater wonders of South East Asia on a private cruise. The Pinisi, or Phinisi, is a traditional sailing ship that has been used in Indonesia for several centuries dating as far back as the 16th century and are still largely built by traditional ship makers of the archipelago to this day. There are plenty of Pinisi charters available in Indonesia and the Silolona is one of the most luxurious charters in its class. The ship was built by hand by the Sulawesi Konjo people in 2004 . Silolona operates luxury private yacht charters aboard traditional Phinisi wooden sailboats. Silolona sails to the remote islands of eastern Indonesia visiting volcanic crater lakes, the Komodo dragons and traditional Papua tribes. Silolona offers luxury scuba-diving expeditions and cultural trips to traditional island villages. The company operates five to nine day cruises to Indonesia between the months of April and November. Silolona cruises can be combined to form longer journeys and include luxury on-board cabins and freshly prepared Asian-fusion cuisine. Passengers can choose from an array of watersports and activities including diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing and water-skiing.Custom cruise itineraries and tours are available upon request.

Silolona
PT Silolona Pinisi Explorer
JI. Mertasari 8A Sanur 80228 Bali
Indonesia +62-361-286682

Indonesia Cruises

Indonesia Cruises welcomes passengers aboard small Indonesian sailing ships for leisure cruises to the remote eastern islands of Indonesia. Indonesia Cruises operates a fleet of three ships, the largest at 47 meters overall. Tours are all-inclusive offering luxury accommodations and fine dining. Cruises are led by a small team of highly experienced professionals. Itineraries include a Bali-Komodo-Flores journey, cruises to Flores, Sumba, Savu and the Alor archipelago and an in-depth sailing exploration of the Komodo National Park. Indonesia Cruises also offers a scuba-diving excursion that travels deep into remote regions of the Indonesian archipelago.The Buginese schooner "Ombak Putih" (which means "White Wave") was custom designed for Western travellers and built in 1996/1997 by traditional craftsmen in Kalimantan. Each of the 12 twin cabins  has its own shower and toilet and its own air-conditioner, and there is a crew of 15 to take care of the passengers' needs  .  From November to February, the "Ombak Putih" sails to South Sulawesi, a sun drenched island that once drew explorers and traders from all parts of the world. Historic colonial buildings and forts evoke the shadow of the past – equally impressive are today's vibrant local culture and magical beliefs that still play an important role in everyday life. In the Lesser Sunda Island as well as around Sulawesi you'll also find coral reefs that are amazing both in their colour and in the variety of life they sustain. Therefore, these cruises offer new experiences and unforgettable impressions for every traveller to Asia.

Indonesia Cruises
PT Ombak Putih Kuta Poleng D-7
JI. Setiabudi Simpang Siur 80361 Kuta Bali
Indonesia +62-361-766546

Sea Trek Sailing Adventures

Established in 1985, Sea Trek Sailing Adventures was one of the first small ship cruise operators to sail to the remote eastern islands of Indonesia. Sea Trek Sailing Adventures offers nine cruise itineraries ranging from 10 to 14 days in length aboard traditional Indonesian Phinisi boats. Sea Trek Sailing Adventures cruises are all inclusive with comfortable on-board cabins and highly experienced guides. Cruises offer passengers plenty of time for exploration both at sea and on land. Sea Trek Sailing Adventures' featured cruise is the Bali-Flores-Bali cruise, which sails along the Lesser Sunda Islands. Along the way, passengers visit traditional island villages and tour some of the most impressive and diverse national parks in Indonesia. Activities include snorkeling, hiking, jungle trekking and cultural trips. Handcrafted by experienced Indonesian shipwrights from the best available hardwoods all the way from keel to topmasts, she is the epitome of traditional beauty. It is unusual in several respects.  While on most traditional Buginese liveaboards the cabins are squeezed in below decks to make the diving operations economically viable, It has a totally different personality:  with just five staterooms on her main deck she unabashedly caters to the luxurious top end of the international dive market. This phinisi was built for comfort.

Sea Trek Sailing Adventures
PT Pinisi Duta Bahari
JI. By Pass Ngurah Rai 245 Sanur 80228 Bali
Indonesia +62-361-283358

The Seven Seas Liveaboard

The Seven Seas is a traditional Buginese Schooner. The hull was purchased by the current owners in April 2005. Mark Heighes and Jos Pet had been discussing their dream boat for years and when they finally ran into the right vessel, they were immediately sold on her. While still unfinished, the vessel was clearly a piece of solid traditional boat-building. The Seven Seas is a 45m (LOA), traditionally built Buginese schooner and has set new standards in Indonesian liveaboard luxury. Custom-designed to accommodate up to 16 guests in spacious comfort over three decks she is perfect for both diving and relaxation.The Seven Seas liveaboard (www.thesevenseas.net) also does charters to Komodo, Wakatobi, Alor, and the Banda Sea. To get to Raja Ampat, the best routing is to get to Jakarta, Bali or Singapore. Then the Seven Seas office can assist you with booking travel to Sorong. In order to board the Seven Seas, arrive in Jakarta no later than the day prior to boarding.


PT Seven Seas Cahaya Utama
Villa Lumbung
House No. 6, Suite A
Jl. Raya Petitenget 1000X
Kerobokan, Badung 80361
Bali, Indonesia
Tel/Fax: +62 361 4735742
Email: info@thesevenseas.net
sevenseas.expeditions@gmail.com

Ubud Bali : Travel to the arts and performance of Balinese power

The Ubud region, is very famous for its natural beauty and charm and it was a remarkable town in the middle of the island of Bali. For more than a century, it has been the island's preeminent centre for fine arts, dance and music.Ubud is arguably the best place to use as a base if you're visiting Bali; if you're looking for culture, comfort, nature and inspiration. Ubud is surrounded by most of the things that bring people to Bali scenic rice fields, small villages, art and craft communities, ancient temples, palaces, rivers, cheap accommodation and unique luxury hotels. And it's central location makes it easy to get from Ubud to the mountains, beaches, and major towns.

Ubud is so crammed with attractions it can almost seem like a visual assault at times. Try to make sure you allocate at least a week for your visit here, and take your time to explore properly. Visitors who jump up to Ubud for just two or three days of their Bali holiday, stand little chance of understanding much of what is going on around them.

As a center of the arts, Ubud. will remember as a gathering place of artists. Some big events, like seminars literary or other artistic fields of national and international levels, often held in this area. There privilege why Ubud selected. According to some foreign tourists, call Ubud as charming as when people call Bali. Almost all foreign tourists who come to Ubud, the average is two or three times come to that place. They claimed to have never tired to go back and back again.

Ubud can not escape wtih the big-name maestro Don Antonio Blanco. The Spanish painter who managed to promote the greatness of Indonesia, particularly the island of Bali through scratches his hand, working, residing and died in this village. Precisely Campuhan river near Ubud, Antonio was born from the hands of world-class paintings. Prior to Indonesia in 1952 at the invitation of Bung Karno, who was then serving as President, Antonio was educated at the school of painting "of the National Academy of Fine Arts", New York City.

Being interested and very much liked the atmosphere of the countryside, since that time he lived and settled in the village of Ubud, Bali. Until finally he married a Balinese woman named Ni Ronji. which often to used as a model of his paintings. From here all the works of maestro Don Antonio Blanco was born and known to all of the world. Before he died in 1999, Don Antonio Blanco has a desire to do something good to Bali. There was made a museum, as a work of art to be remembered by people from both within and outside the country. The place was named "Renaissanse Museum", contains some of his work as well as paintings done by Mario.



For performing arts, Ubud had a lot of art shows with a touch of beautiful dance and its to difficult to express in words. Look at the performances are often held in several areas around Ubud such as:

-. Barong Dance, Batubulan (about fifteen minutes south of Ubud on the main road to Sanur).
A Barong dance performance takes place here every day at 9:30AM, lasting about an hour. It is very much a performance for tourists, and the story is of the never ending battle between good and evil. There is actually not much dancing and a lot of talking in this performance. While buying a ticket, you will get a description of the forthcoming performance. Rp 80,000.

-. Pura Dalem, Jl Raya Ubud. One of the best kecak performances in Ubud, every Friday and Monday evening. Staged in beautiful surroundings outside under the banyan trees, and followed by a fire dance. Rp 80,000.

-. Puri Saren & Puri Saraswati (just east of Jl Monkey Forest), Jl Raya Ubud. Smack dab in the centre of town, dance performances are staged here almost nightly. Rp 75,000+.

Dont forget to going down in Ubud cultural market , Located at the corner of Jl Monkey Forest and Jl Raya Ubud, this is a double storey warren of stalls bursting at the seams with wood carvings, batik shirts, sarongs, and all manner of other souvenirs aimed specifically at tourists. The merchants here haggle with tourists for a living, and think nothing of asking for ten times the going price, so try to establish a baseline before you go in to buy. Most of the merchants downstairs will lose interest if you try to get a reasonable price. It is better to try the shops upstairs where you will find the same products often for sell at lower prices. You will still need to use your best bargaining skills of course. Try to avoid the period from 11AM-2PM when tour buses from further afield tend to arrive en-masse.

The tourists who visit to Ubud can see Odalan ceremony is usually held the local community every six months. This traditional ceremony is often a concern of local and foreign tourists when visiting Ubud. The event was closely associated with the anniversary or birthday that can not be filed or be delayed in order to avoid a bad day, and the uniquely , traditional music which held to accompany this ceremony is played by ladies.The Diversity in Ubud its worth and the charms can be enjoyed by every tourists who visited Bali. Curious! Try it to traveled to Ubud.

Travel To Bandar Lampung

Bandar Lampung could be your travel options for more. The province is rich in attractions. Its superior package also varied, both physical objects and attractions. The trip to Lampung can be started from the toll booth Slipi, Tomang, or Kebon Jeruk toll gate to the Port of Merak, Banten. and then forwarded by crossing the Sunda Strait toward Bakauheni. Merak can be reached within one hour or one hour 15 minutes. In Merak, Bakauheni fast boat sail only between the hours of 06:00 noon or 6:30 until 17:00 or 17:30 with a long sailing 40-45 minutes.

If you take a private car or take the bus from Jakarta to Bandar Lampung and traveling at night, crossing can only be done by ferry for about two hours. Lampung also be achieved through the air. Several airlines serve to Radin Inten Airport (Lampung), and Soekarno-Hatta, Cengkareng.

Bandar Lampung is a strategic city for the tour to visit various attractions. This city can be reached within 1.5 hours of Bakauheni and 30 minutes from Radin Inten Airport. Beach sights, culture, nature or adventure tourism in mountainous jungle and rivers, diving and fishing, within easy reach of the city.
Because of the one and other objects are close together, we can be sure for the traveller wouldn't become monotonous trips , the experience becomes more diverse as many places to see. Here are some tips within interesting natural sights to be explored during a visit to the city of Lampung.

White Sand Beach


Located about 20 km from the city of Bandar Lampung with a travel time of 30 minutes using public transport or over the course of trans-Sumatra. Entrance fee of Rp 6,000 per person. Facility tour were varied, one canoe games. In addition, just 15 minutes by ferry, you can also explore the island which is right in front of the Leaning White Sand Beach.

Mount Krakatau


Lampung City is a tourist attraction that has worldwide, namely the volcanic mountain that is still active until now. Now, in these locations are equipped with sea travel packages, including Krakatau Volcano Trip package for 10 people at a cost of Rp 3.5 million (all in). In addition, there are also sea island adventure tours (cruise fishing), sea activity (canoeing, snorkeling, diving, and fishing), as well as land and sport activity (volleyball, indoor soccer, biking).

Way Kambas National Park


Is a national park that specifically protect elephants. Way Kambas Lampung is now the mascot. Here you can see the attraction of an intelligent elephant to dance, also ride elephants through forests, swamps, grasslands, and shrubs. Way Kambas National Park can be reached during the two-hour drive from the city of Bandar Lampung.

Bukit Barisan National Park


Stretching from the southern tip of the western part of Lampung Province to the southern province of Bengkulu. Advised to visit this site around January to August because the weather in that month were bright enough to explore the forest, swimming, boating down the river, maritime travel, camping, and observing plants, such as the corpse flower.

Green Valley


Recreation area with a natural atmosphere which is located at Jalan Radin IMBA Kesuma Queen, Kampung Suka So, Bandar Lampung. The entry fee is only Rp 8,000 per person. Along the area of 30 hectares, you can also have fun enjoying the adventure games, like swimming in the water boom and outbound.

Those tourist objects are only a fraction of the wealth of attractions in Bandar Lampung. The mascot is a tourist attraction of Mount Krakatau Islands, National Park Way Kambas and Bukit Barisan. This three objects have been known throughout the world. In addition to physical objects, Lampung tourism also presents a package of attractions that culminate in the Festival Krakatau

Ponorogo : The mainly cultural arts of Reog performance

Reog is a cultural art performing by dance theater that has a high cultural value and unique. These art of Culture is derived from Ponorogo district, East Java, which is considered as the home town of Reog art. Reog conducted by a group of performers dance with various characters and characterization, The performance of Reog is always accompanying with some of gamelan players and singers who performed the song with the local language. Reog Ponorogo emerged as a form of magical ceremonies with local beliefs that would brought a thick aura of magic and mysticism, as the changing times, Reog Ponorogo was changed becoming a form of entertainment and theater folk art. Modern Reog usually performed in several events such as weddings, circumcisions and national major holidays. Reog told about the struggle for a prince who will propose to a lovely pretty princess .

The show of Reog maid instruments that usually using kempul, tap, kenong, handheld, ketipung, angklung and especially salompret, who voiced tone and slendro. which is giving a rise to mystical atmosphere, unique, exotic and uplifting. One group of Reog usually consists of a Warok old, some young warok, pembarong, dancers Bujang Ganong and King Kelono Suwandono. Number of reog group ranged from 20 to 30-person, the main role is in the hands of warok and pembarong.

Reog Ponorogo performing art consists of several series of 2 to 3 opening dance. The first dance is usually performed by 6-8 brave men dressed all in black, with polished face into red. The dancers depict the brave lion. And the next is a dance performed by 6-8 girls who ride horses . In traditional reog, these dancers are usually played by male dancers with dressed as a women. This dance is called the braid horse dance. If there are another opening dance, is usually using dance by a little boy who brought a funny scene. After the opening dance is finished, the new core scene displayed the contents of which depend reog condition where art is displayed. If associated with the wedding scene shown is romance. For the celebration of circumcision, is usually a story of warriors.

The last scene is the barong lion, where the actors wore masks performing by head of a lion with a crown made of peacock feathers. The players who wear the masks are commonly referred as "pembarong". Pembarong, must have an extra strength. He must have a good jaw strength, to withstand the bite of a burden called "sudden Peacock" which is forming of by tiger's head adorned with hundreds of strands of peacock feathers six feet tall and can weigh up to an 50-pounds during the show.



The scene in the art of reog usually do not follow a neat scenario. There is always interaction between the player and puppeteer (usually the leader of the group) and sometimes with the audience. Sometimes a player's performances can be replaced by another player when the main player had fatigue. The more overlooked in the staging of art reog is to give satisfaction to the audience. Until now people Ponorogo only follow what their heritage as a very rich cultural . In the experience of Reog Ponorogo art is copyright from human creations which formed as belief currents that is hereditary and awake.

Reog dance is also staged full moon nightly in paseban, Ponorogo Town Square.The visitors can enjoy this traditional dance mainly in Ponorogo, East Java - Indonesia. The only area that has REOG dance is Ponorogo, Indonesia , not in other country.

Best Travelers' Choice World Destinations for 2011

Here they are , The best 7 town around the world for travelers

1. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a victualling (supply) station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and the Far East.There are over 70 peaks above 1,000 feet (300 m) (the American definition of a mountain) within Cape Town's official city limits. Many of the suburbs of Cape Town are on the large plain of the Cape Flats, which joins the peninsula to the mainland. The Cape Flats lie on what is known as a rising marine plain, consisting mostly of sandy geology which shows that at one point Table Mountain itself was an island.

2. Sydney, Australia
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. The city is built on hills surrounding Port Jackson which is commonly known as Sydney Harbour, where the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge feature prominently. The hinterland of the metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and the coastal regions feature many bays, rivers, inlets and beaches including the famous Bondi Beach. Within the city are many notable parks, including Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

3. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu.

4. Paris, France
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France. Three of the most famous Parisian landmarks are the 12th-century cathedral Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité, the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe and the 19th-century Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower was a "temporary" construction by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Universal Exposition, but the tower was never dismantled and is now an enduring symbol of Paris. The Historical axis is a line of monuments, buildings, and thoroughfares that run in a roughly straight line from the city-centre westwards.

5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro ( River of January), commonly referred to simply as Rio is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th largest in the Americas, and 26th in the world. In Rio there are important cultural landmarks, like the Biblioteca Nacional (National Library in Portuguese), the seventh largest library in the world, its collections include over 9 million items; the Theatro do Rio, Built on principles of 20th century; the National Museum of Fine Arts; the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden; the Imperial Square; the Brazilian Academy of Letters; the Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro (pt); and the Natural History Museum.

6. New York City, United States
New York City is located in the Northeastern United States, in southeastern New York State, approximately halfway between Washington, D.C. and Boston. New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. Located on one of the world's largest natural harbors New York City consists of five boroughs which were consolidated in 1898.Many districts and landmarks in New York City have become well known to its nearly 50 million annual visitors. Times Square, iconified as "The Crossroads of the World", is the brightly illuminated hub of the Broadway theater district,one of the world's busiest pedestrian intersections, and a major center of the world's entertainment industry. The city hosts many world renowned bridges, skyscrapers,and parks.

7. Rome, Italy
Rome is in the Lazio region of central Italy on the Tiber river (Italian: Tevere). The original settlement developed on hills that faced onto a ford beside the Tiber island, the only natural ford of the river in this area. The Rome of the Kings was built on seven hills: the Aventine Hill, the Caelian Hill, the Capitoline Hill, the Esquiline Hill, the Palatine Hill, the Quirinal Hill, and the Viminal Hill. One of the symbols of Rome is the Colosseum (70–80 AD), the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire. Originally capable of seating 60,000 spectators, it was used for gladiatorial combat. A list of important monuments and sites of ancient Rome includes the Roman Forum, the Domus Aurea, the Pantheon, Trajan's Column, Trajan's Market, the Catacombs, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Ara Pacis, the Arch of Constantine, the Pyramid of Cestius, and the Bocca della Verità.