Yogyakarta today is a province in Central Java given a
special status by the government of Repulic of Indonesia due to
its specific tradition or culture in General. The history of Java
can not be separated from the history of this region. As a provice
the administration of the area is headed by a governor under which
are many sub regions called Kabupaten. The famous myth of Javanese
people much come from the Kabupaten Gunung Kidul or Kabupaten Bantul.
The myth of The Slender Virgin for example which is well knwon in
Java even outside Java is belived to have their resident on the
south sea of Yogyakarta. After the coming if Islam on the island
it is only Yogyakarta that preserves the art. Yogyakarta has many
type of performances such as Karawitan ( traditional music instruments
), Langen Mandra Wanara, Ketoprak, Wayang Kulit puppet, Wayang Golek
( marionettes ) can be found in Yogyakarta. Leather Puppet Show
: Historians hold the opinion that wayang puppet shadow play and
art style both in Java and Bali have the origine in Yogyakarta.
The concept of playing wayang shadow play is the same between Bali
and Yogyakarta, where many personalities are played and narrated
by one artist called " Dalang " In Yogyakarta using musical instrument
called " gong " while in Bali using " gender " The dalang can take
any story to be played, but mostly Indian epics and ancient story
about kingdom in Java with dialogues of contemporary themes. People
like wayang show especially with the roles of 4 clowns if the dalang
has good sense of humor. Today with many choices of entertainments,
wayang is not as popular as before. Wayang Golek of Yogyakarta
Wayang golek is often translated into marionettes. It's head is
carved in wood, and the body and limb made of bamboo, and fabric.
It is dressed like men or women. The concept of the show is the
smae as wayang puppet show. The production of wayang golek is Yogyakarta
and west Java even bigger for export commodity compared for the
local show play. Yogyakarta Dance Yogyakarta as the centre of Javanese
culture is rich with dances, both traditional and contemporary.
Folk dances can still also be found in the villages as entertainment
of older and common people, and normally presented during ceremonies,
wedding and other occasions. Explore the beauty of Yogyakarta by joining one
of the suggested sightseeing |