Janger Arts

Janger Arts

Janger, sometimes called Damarwulan or Jinggoan, is the one of folk-entertainment which is similar with Ketoprak and Ludruk. It was live and prospers in Banyuwangi, East Java which is has an actor and story taken from the stories of legends and the other folklores.

According to the history, there was a folk theater in Banyuwangi which grew up and called Ande-Ande Lumut in the 19th century. The name of the theater based on the story that is acted by Andhe-Andhe Lumut. The pioneer of the Janger arts is Mbah Darji, from Dukuh Klembon, Singonegaran, Banyuwangi based on the source of word of mouth. He is a cattle trader who had a trip Banyuwangi – Bali frequently. He was interested to Arja theatrical arts in Bali and then he met with Singobali, a musical artist who lived in Penganjuran, Banyuwangi. Based on those meeting, they collaborated the Ande-Ande Lumut with dance and gamelan elements of Bali, then came up Damarwulan Klembon or Janger Klembon.

Janger art from Banyuwangi is one of the hybrids art, where is the collaboration of Java and Bali. Gamelan, costume, and the dance were taken from Bali culture, but the story and dialogue were taken from Java culture. It is used Middle Java language as the dialogue such as Ketoprak dialogue. But it also used Using (traditional Banyuwangi language) as the intermezzo for jokes. The main story also taken from Serat Damarwulan, which is considered as degradation to Banyuwangi society, but strangely instead growing up quickly.

The staged story is adjusted to the requirements or the script of the group itself. It mostly stages are Cinde Laras, Minakjinggo Mati, Damarwulan Ngenger, Damarwulan Ngarit, and so on. The story also taken from the local folklores such as Sri Tanjung and sometimes the Islamic stories.

It is estimated that there are 60 Janger groups that still exist today, but their condition is unstable caused of the impact of foreign culture. The most popular Janger groups in Banyuwangi are Temenggung Budoyo from Banyuwangi City, Madyo Utomo from Desa Bubuk - Rogojampi, and Patoman from Desa Blimbingsari – Rogojampi.

Lets come to Banyuwangi and you will be entertained with the performance of Janger Art….. !!!!