Singo Ulung

Singo Ulung is a dance arts using barongan, which is the traditional art of Bondowoso regency that usually performed at the annual anniversary of Bondowoso. After several years, this traditional art is also used for entertainment. This traditional dance was created by a respected man named Singo. Singo was name of a person who came from Blambangan. It is mentioned that the original name of Singo is Juk Seng because of his ability to turn into a lion. At first glance, this art form looks similar to Barongsai. Only the costumes worn by the players and the equipment are quite simple. The players just wear training pants and T-shirts only, whereas the lion-shaped costume is made of a series of rope.

Singo Ulung is a masked dance from Bondowoso, which is performed annually at Bondowoso's anniversary. This traditional dance was created by a respected man named Singo. Singo was the name of a person who came from Blambangan. He ran from Blambangan to save himself and stayed in Blimbing village, Klabang district Bondowoso. Singo Ulung and his wife Nyi Moena with Ki Jasiman, were helping and cooperating each other to create a prosperous life of society at Blimbing village. He cared about the rice field and the other people daily needed. Many people were proud about him. That's why, he was chosen to become the first head village of Blimbing village.

One day, he had an idea to create a public traditional dance called Singo Ulung which was played by two people. This dance has accompanied with particular music which makes the audience feel astonished. This art together with Pojian art, Ojung art are always shown at the traditional ceremony namely Bersih Desa Blimbing which is always held every year (the month of Syaban / Ruwah). On the other hand, this art performance can be enjoyed in the annual moment of Hari Jadi Bondowoso precisely at 16 August.

Singo Ulung dancer have a different costume for each role. For the lion “Singo Ulung’s” dancer costume, two people wear the lion's like costume together which similar like Barongsai. The difference between Barongsai and Singo Ulung is normally, Singo Ulung's costume made of plain white and sometimes it's a mix of black and white, or yellow and white color. The material to make the costume is really easy to find. You just need a bunch of raffia string to make the costume and decompose it until it looks like a fur. For Panji or Jasiman, they wear a costume similar with Tari Topeng. The female dancers wear a traditional dress like kebaya and sampur as the accessories. The last one, warok dancers wear all black with Madhure red-white shirt and bring cemethi as an attribute for their dancing.

Singo ulung is a unique performance and it is attractive. Singo Ulung Art has become a tradition that is routinely performed in Blimbing village. The uniqueness of the performance can be seen from the way it is performed. It consists of various functions for the life of its supporting society, especially Blimbing society. One of the ritual activities is a ritual village ceremony which performs the art performing of singo ulung traditionally. The research showed that the ritual village ceremony in Blimbing is conducted every once a year, it is on 13-15 month of Sya’ban (it is believed as the existence of Blimbing Village). It is necessary that performance of Singo Ulung in the ritual village ceremony has to be existed, because it is considered as a main mean and it is not able to be replaced by others. In addition, Singo Ulung is also often featured in the anniversary event of Bondowoso. Singo Ulung dance is still being preserved and studied by several art galleries there. Besides to display on the big event, the dance is also show in other events such as welcoming guests and festival culture. This is done in an effort to preserve and introduce to the public about the traditional art from Bondowoso “Singo Ulung”.

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• "Tari Singo Ulung Kesenian Tradisional Dari Bondowoso, Jawa Timur". Negeriku Indonesia. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
• "Pertunukan Singo Ulung dalam ritual selamatan desa di Desa Blimbing Kecamatan Klabang Kabupaten Bondowoso Jawa Timur". Etd.repository.ugm.ac.id. Retrieved 2016-04-21.