Jembrana, Bull Racing Center

Jembarna at Bali Art Festival

Jembrana, in the west part of Bali, 100 kms west of Denpasar, will attend the annual cultural event, the 25th Bali Art Festival from June 14 – July 13, 2003 at Denpasar Art Centre. Jembrana regency will perform many cultural activities.

Jegog is a specific art in Jembrana regency, which was created by Kiyang Geliduh circum Suis in the sub-village of Sebual, Dangintukadaya village, in the county of Negara, Jembrana regency in around 1912. The inspiration was derived from angklung granting and in the first period, Jegog was instrumental only. Actually, Jegog is the biggest instrument in Gong Kebyar. In Jembrana Jegog is made of bamboo; the biggest instrument for Jegog is called Jublag. In the next period, Jegog was completed with female and male dancers, also the art of fighting locally known as Pencak-Silat. In the last period, Jegog accompanied the art of drama. In the beginning, its function is as a tool to call people to work together in the mutual work tradition, gotong royong, in agricultural society. Now, it is performed to accompany religious ceremonies and also as public entertainment for tourists.
Jegog as specific art of Jembrana participates in the Bali Art Festival on its opening ceremony and is also scheduled in the art performances. The other kind of specific art of Jembrana participating in the festival is the art of drumbeat locally known as Kendang Mebarung. The instrument is very rare in the region. As part of Bali, the region also has Balinese Gamelan and dance in general. In the Bali Art Festival, Jembrana also performs Balinese arts such as Wayang Kulit (Puppet Show) from the village of Brangbang told by the humorous storyteller, Ladra. They will also perform angklung, with flutes from the village of Yeh Kuning, Janger for Senior High School students, Leko dance (similar to legong keraton) from Pancardawa village and Jamintoro (sitting opera) from Mendoyo Dauhtukad village. (BTN/035)