Kuda Renggong

Kuda Renggong is one of the folk performing arts that come from Sumedang. The word "Renggong" is a metathesis of the word ronggeng for kamonesan (Sundanese for "skill") way of running of a horse that has been trained to dance to the music, especially drums, which is usually used as a medium ride in the procession of children circumcision.

According to the narrative a few artists, Kuda Renggong emerged first from his village Cikurubuk, District Buah Dua, Sumedang. In the development Kuda Renggong progressing quite well, so it spread to various villages in several districts outside of District Buah Dua. Today, Kuda Renggong also spread to other areas outside the District Sumedang.

As the performing arts in the form of folk art helaran (parade, carnival), Kuda Renggong has evolved seen from the choice of a robust and powerful horse, horse accessories and supplies background music, dancers, etc.., And increasingly lively with various creations of the artists. This was recorded in each Kuda Renggong festival held annually. Kuda Renggong eventually became the performing arts typical Sumedang District. Kuda Renggong tourism has now become a commodity that is known nationally and internationally.

In the show, Kuda Renggong has two categories of performances that is, Kuda Renggong show in the village and at festivals.

Kuda Renggong show held after child circumcision ritual completed and given a prayer, then by dressing Ghatotkacha figures, raised on a horse to leave his home Renggong then paraded around, around the village.

Musical accompaniment eagerly accompany continued with the selected songs, such as Kaleked, Mojang Geulis, Rayak-rayak, Ole-ole Bandung, Kembang Beureum, Kembang Gadung, Jisamsu, etc.. All the way the Kuda renggong walk and dance surrounded by a number of people consisting of children, adolescents also the village, even the old people to the music more and more the merrier. The heat and blazing sun as if it did not dampen them to continue to move, dance and cheer enliven child er that have been circumcised. Sometimes interspersed with dancing Kuda Renggong exposure, the more skilled Kuda Renggong the audience getting cheered and clapped. Often also the audience who would go dancing vows are welcome.

After touring the village, the group returned home usually accompanied with Pileuleuyan songs (separations). The song can be sung in the form of instrumental or sung. When the boy finished circumcised is derived from Kuda Renggong, usually followed by the event saweran (sprinkled coins and white rice), which became the event is eagerly awaited, particularly by village children.

Horse show at the Festival of Kuda Renggong different from the usual road show conducted in the villages. Horse show at the festival Kuda Renggong, each year shows an increase in both number of participants from various villages, as well as improved media performance, accessories, music, etc. For the record observations, Kuda Renggong festival participants usually complete with his entourage each representing a village or sub-district Sumedang collected at the beginning of the departure area, usually on the highway front of the Regent, and then removed one by one around the route path committee has determined (Diparda Sumedang).

While observers are acting as the jury prepared to assess the points of a particular path to be traversed Kuda Renggong entourage.

From the show appears there was some modification of each group, the most prominent is the addition of Kuda Renggong (average of two or even four), child's clothing circumcision is no longer just a puppet figure Gatotkaca, but equipped with daughters dressed like a princess Cinderella tales in the West. The addition of horse accessories, with different colors and sequins lively golden, oversized umbrellas, dancing, arranged the accompaniment, musical accompaniment that is different, no longer Kendang Penca, but Bajidoran, Tanjidor,etc.. Likewise, the songs, but they usually bring in their villages, often supplemented with dangdut songs that are popular, such as Goyang Dombret, Usher, Nightmare, etc. After traveling back to the point of departure.

Of the two forms of the show, clearly seen different musical accompaniment. Musical accompaniment in the villages, are usually quite simple, as is generally limited ability to have musical instruments (waditra) is good. Generally consists of drums, drum, goong, trumpet, Genjring kemprang, percussion, and kecrek. with simple sound system. While the musical accompaniment Kuda Renggong at the festival, usually compete more "sophisticated" with the addition of musical instruments brass trumpet, keyboard, cymbals, drums, TamTam, etc.

There are some symbolical meanings of this tradition

• The spiritual: the spirit that emerged was a series of initiation ceremonies (maturation) of a boy who was circumcised. Power of Kuda Renggong that appears will imprint on the hearts of children circumcision, also the use of puppet figures Ghatotkacha costume known as a strong hero figure

• Interaction between God's creatures: Kuda Renggong trainers awareness in horse treats, not merely like the pets, but have a tendency to indulge even positioned the horse as a creature of God is spoiled, either from choice, food, care, clothing, and others;

• Theatrical: at certain moments in time Kuda Renggong moves upward as the underlying interpreters stood up and play martial arts training, then dancing and bersilat together. It is seen theatrically since the position of the horse that looked more authoritative and fascinating. This attraction is a rare dish, because not all Kuda Renggong, able to do so;

• Universal: since the days of horse people know the animals, has been part of human life in

various nations in various places in the world. Even the horse made a lot of symbols, strength and masculinity, heroism, authority and others.

Source of referral

• Ganjar Kurnia. 2003. Description arts of West Java. Department of Culture & Tourism in West Java, Bandung.