Starfruit (malagkota.go.id) – In anticipation of World Dance Day which falls on April 29, Polowijen Cultural Village (KBP) is holding the Polowijen Cultural Village Festival (FKBP) #8 with... tagline Sewindu Nyabrang KBP, Saturday (26/4/2025). Previously, the commemoration of KBP's Anniversary (HUT) was always held together with the Anniversary of Malang City. However, this time it was deliberately held at the end of the month because on April 1, 2025 yesterday when Malang City commemorated its 111th anniversary, it was still in the atmosphere of Eid al-Fitr.
Isa Wahyudi, the initiator of FKBP, said that World Dance Day was used as a momentum to unite the Topeng Jaranan Bantengan Polowijen, where Polowijen used to be a pocket of cultural arts and became the epicenter of Malang mask art. "So the collaboration of each of these art practitioners needs to be appreciated and elaborated on one stage, and Gejug Gongseng #2 is the answer," said the man who is also known as Ki Demang.
The FKBP #8 event was packaged in the Malang Mask Dance Competition and Grebeg Sabrang Mask, which was participated by 100 children and divided into category A for kindergarten-elementary school students in grades 3. For category B, elementary school children in grades 4-6, and category C was participated by participants from junior high school-high school levels.
This competition is impressive as a reunion and halalbihalal event between studios which are mask pockets that are still active as mask preservation villages, including those from Kedungmonggo, Lowokpermanu, Senggreng, Pijiombo, Jatiguwi, Kranggan, Jambuwer, Jabung, Tumpang, Glagahdowo, Singosari, Lawang and Polowijen itself.
In addition to the Mask Dance Competition, every Gejug Gongseng #2 event is also presented to commemorate World Dance Day with the theme 'Topengan Jaranan Bantengan Polowijen Seduluran". Jaranan tik, Jaranan Dor, Bantengan Polowijen and the typical attraction of pencak dor which is currently almost extinct, color the show.
“Gejug Gonseng #2 is specially performed by KBP artists, the Satriya Panawidjen arts group, Putra Manunggal Nawasena Panawijen, Crown Prince Panawijen, Winoro Maheso Sekar Budoyo Polowijen, and Jowo Line Dance supported by the UMM Srikandi PP Cultural Institute and Grib Jaya Malang,” explained Ki Demang.
On that occasion, Kiky Tutik Sundari as the Chairperson of Srikandi PP appreciated the young generation who are active and diligent in preserving Malang's unique arts and culture, including bantengan jaranan and topeng. "These young people need to be supported with adequate facilities, including equipment, costumes, performing arts events, as well as channeling their talents and placing them as part of their learning achievements. The government must be present and take care of this culture," she said.
What's more interesting is that at this festival there is always a Malang Mask procession to the Tomb of Mbah Tjondro Suwono (Mbah Reni), the Malang Mask Master, inviting all participants in the mask dance competition and Gejug Gongseng performers.
The procession was led by Ki Lelono and Ki Demang to the grave in complete mask costumes with a solemn spiritual atmosphere. The parade was also attended by mothers in kebaya and other residents, including the jaranan bantengan group.
Ki Demang said that his party needs to introduce the mask artists so that their souls and bodies are united in art. So it is necessary to fill the soul by knowing the ancestors who preceded them, especially the ancestors who initiated and are the Empu Topeng Malang.
"So every time there is a mask activity in KBP there is always a ritual procession and nyekar or nyadran to the Tomb of Mbah Reni. This further confirms that in Malang City, the preservation of traditional customs and rituals is indeed the place in KBP," he said.
These various series of activities also received appreciation from the Head of the Youth, Sports, and Tourism Agency (Disporapar) of Malang City, Baihaqi. When contacted via cellphone, Baihaqi said that his party would fully support the various activities held at KBP. According to him, in addition to being able to produce a young generation who loves culture, the various activities at KBP will also increase the number of tourist visits.
"In addition to being a place for collaboration of various traditional arts, KBP is indeed a gathering place for artists and cultural figures who tirelessly preserve culture, traditional customs and traditional arts," he added. (say/yn)
