Indonesia Cultural Heritage

1. Javanese Court Dance
   1. Sundays from 11.00 am – noon in Sri Manganti Hall & Thursdays fom 10.00 am - noon, Performing classical Court Dance.
   2. For more information, see Javanese Traditional Dance Classical Court Dance – Karaton of Yogyakarta.
   3. Exercise at the same time in Ksatrian
2. Javanese Gamelan Music
   Mondays and Tuesdays
   From 10.00 – noon in Sri Manganti Hall,
   
3. Wayang Leather Puppetry
   1. Wednesdays from 09.30 am – 12.30 am, Thengul puppet
   2. Saturdays 09.30 am - 12.00 am, leather puppet
   Abbreviated performance in Sri Manganti hall
   Visitors shall go inside the Karaton through Jalan Rotowijayan (West of Karaton) and Keben.

It is located in the center of the city of Yogyakarta or just Yogya as the local people call it. Karaton means a place where the Ratu-king lives, other word is Kedaton, with the same meaning. In the Javanese teachings, it has a deep philosophical meaning.

The architect designer of this palace was Sultan Hamengkubuwono I himself, who was also the founder of the kingdom of NGAYOGYAKARTA HADININGRAT. His skill in architecture was appreciated by the dutch scientist - DR. Pigeund and DR. Adam who adored him as " the architect of his brother-Pakubuwono II of Surakarta".

Almost every where in Yogya, Solo, Semarang and other cities in Central Java, in Karatons, in the market, in the villages, in the hotel's lobby, you should hear the magical melodious percussion music - the gamelan Javanese orchestra.
In his book 'music of Java' Jaap Kunst says, "Gamelan is comparable to only two things, moonlight and flowing water. ...mysterious like moonlight and always changing like flowing water ...".
Gamelan music is an integral part of all cultural activities in Java such as wayang kulit (leather puppets) performance, court dance, uyon-uyon (symphony orchestra performance), etc. There are two kinds of laras (tuning) in gamelan, namely slendro (comparable to minor key in Western music) and Pelog (major key). A complete set of gamelan consist of two sets of different instruments of Slendro and Pelog, such as:

1. Kendang (double ended drum beaten by hands)
   It is a leading instrument. The pengendang (drumer) is the conductor of the gamelan orchestra. There are five (5) different sizes of kendang from 20 cm to 45 cm.
2. Saron
   A glockenspiel with bronze bar struck with wooden mallet. There are three kinds; Saron Barung, Saron Peking, Saron Demung.
   
3. Bonang Barung
   A double row of bronze kettles resting on a horizontal frame, played with two long stick bound with red cord at the striking end.

Ketoprak is a popular traditional theatre accompanied by gamelan music, the dialogue sometimes alternated by songs. Probably it is like operetta but with more dialogue.

The stories exposed are usually from Javanese ancient kingdoms. The more popular folklore very oftenly staged are :

1. The story of Damarwulan, a brief Majapahit soldier who successfully could defeat Minakjinggo , a rebel-regent from Blambangan. at the happy ending he became the husband of Majapahit's Queen.
2. The story of Jaka Tingkir, the boy of the village of Tingkir, his name was Mas Karebet. At the beginning he served the kingdom of Demak as a low ranking soldier.

Magelang, in historical maps of cities in Indonesia, including in the category of the old city. At least, has become a center of civilization when the dynasty dynasty chose Magelang as Borobudur temple construction site, as a series of more than Mendut development.
                  In the colonial period, Magelang into negotiations where Prince Diponegoro and VOC. With guile, Prince Diponegoro give up and then thrown into exile. So do not be surprised, when we Magelang, will find many legends about the breeds that claim to be descendants of the soldiers of Prince Diponegoro. Various tomb community recognized as Prince Diponegoro pesarean soldier would be very easy to find, such as in Sub Tempuran and Secang.
                  As an old city, Magelang regency, of course, have the works of culture that is strong

Candle Dance in principle is a dance presented by a set of dancers to the accompaniment of a set of pemuzik. The dancers would carry lighted candles on a plate which is held on each of their hands. These dancers will dance in berkumpulan with dizzying plate having a lit candle carefully for the sentiasa flat plate, and wax not terpadam.

    Candle Dance The origin is believed to come from Sumatra. Kononnya a girl had been abandoned

                Reog is a traditional dance that become the main identity for Ponorogo regency.
Because of this, Ponorogo is also known as Reog city.  This theatre has been known wide in Indonesian even foreign tourists. Reog National Festival is held every years along the anniversary of Ponorogo regency and Grebeg Suro celebration.  Reog dance is also staged full moon nightly in paseban, Ponorogo Town Square. Reog told about the struggle for a prince who will propose to a lovely pretty princess .
             This dance is staged about 25 - 40 dancers and the musician.  The interesting of Reog is his main leading figure named Singo Barong. The dancer of Singo Barong bear the mask about 30 - 40 kg weight and supported by the strength of their teeth.  The other leading figure in Reog include Kelono Sewandono, Bujang Anom, Jatil and Warok.
The visitors can enjoy this traditional dance only in Ponorogo, East Java - Indonesia. The only area that has REOG dance is Ponorogo, not in other country.