Ondel-ondel Betawi (Native tribe of Jakarta) is a form of
folk performances which are often presented in the parties of the Betawinese people.
Apparently ondel-ondel are the portray of the ancestors who protects their
grandchildren or the people of a village.
Ondel-ondel are a form of a large doll that stands about 2.5
meters tall, with a diameter of ± 80 cm, made of bamboo,
which is prepared in such a way so a person can fit inside the doll and play it.
The face of ondel ondel are usually painted in red for the men, while women’s
ondel-onel are usually painted in white.
In Pasundan a similar type of this folk tradition is known
as Badawang, in Central Java called Barongan Buncis, while in Bali is better
known as Barong Landung. It is estimated
that these type of art had been performed since before the spread of Islam in
Java.
Originally ondel-ondel serves as a repellent force to
protect the people from ghosts. Today ondel-ondel typically used to add a
festive folk festivals or for welcoming important guests, for example, at the
opening of a new building. No matter how swift currents of modernization,
ondel-ondel is still survive and provide a softer side of Jakarta.
