{{short description|Indonesian traditional dance}} {{Infobox dance | title = Kuda Lumping | native_name = {{native name|jv| ꦗꦫꦤ꧀ꦏꦺꦥꦁ}}<br>{{native name|id|Tari Kuda Lumping}} | image = Kuda Lumping 1.jpg | image_size = | alt = Men ride rattan horses while spectators watch | caption = Kuda Lumping dance during a festival in Yogyakarta, Indonesia | genre = Traditional dance | signature = | instruments = {{lang|jv|Gamelan}}, {{lang|jv|Gong}}, {{lang|jv|Kendhang}}, {{lang|su|Angklung}} | inventor = Javanese | year = | origin = Indonesia }} {{Dance drama of Southeast Asia}} '''Kuda Lumping''' (Javanese: ꦗꦫꦤ꧀ꦏꦺꦥꦁ, '''Jaran Kepang''' or '''Jathilan''', Indonesian: '''Kuda Lumping''' or '''Kuda Kepang''', English: '''Flat Horse''') is a traditional Javanese dance originated from Ponorogo, East Java, Indonesia depicting a group of horsemen. Dancers "ride" horses made from woven bamboo and decorated with colorful paints and cloth. Generally, the dance portrays troops riding horses, but another type of {{lang|id|Kuda Lumping}} performance also incorporates trances and magic tricks. When the "possessed" dancer is dancing in trance conditions, he can display unusual abilities, such as eating glass and resistance to the effects of whipping or hot coals.
Although the dance is native to Java, Indonesia, it is also performed by the Javanese communities diaspora in Suriname, Malaysia and Singapore, popularly known as '''{{lang|id|Kuda Kepang}}'''.
==Origin== The {{lang|id|Kuda Lumping}} is originated in Java island, Indonesian. Two main hypotheses have been proposed. The first suggests that {{lang|id|Kuda Lumping}} may have arisen out of Diponegoro's war against the Dutch colonial forces, as a ritual reenactment of battles. While the second theory suggests that it is based on Mataram-era troops riding against the Dutch.<ref name=jg1>{{cite news |url=http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/culture/kuda-lumping-a-spirited-glass-eating-javanese-game-of-horse/364068 |title=Kuda Lumping: A Spirited, Glass-Eating Javanese Game of Horse |last1=Mardiyati |first1=Ade |date=16 March 2010 |newspaper=The Jakarta Globe |access-date=31 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829224534/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/culture/kuda-lumping-a-spirited-glass-eating-javanese-game-of-horse/364068 |archive-date=29 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
However, {{lang|id|Kuda Lumping}} is known under different names in different areas of Indonesia. {{lang|id|Kuda Lumping}} is the most common name in West Java, in Central Java it is known as {{lang|jv|Jaran Kepang}} or {{lang|jv|Jathilan}} in East Java, while in Bali, it is known as {{lang|ban|Sang Hyang Jaran}}.<ref name=b2>{{harvnb|Bandem|2008|p=2}}</ref> In Balinese Sanghyang dance refer to the type of dance involving trance by spirit identified as {{lang|jv|hyang}}.
==Performance== [[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Dansers op stokpaarden en muzikanten die deelnemen aan een Kuda Kepang spel op een binnenplaats van een woonhuis op Java TMnr 60042408.jpg|thumb|left|Dancers on stick horses and musicians participating in a Kuda Kepang game in a courtyard of a private house in Java, between 1900 and 1940]] ''Kuda Lumping'' may be performed in celebration of a special event, such as a boy's circumcision or rite of passage.<ref>{{harvnb|Hellman|2003|p=16}}</ref> It may also be performed as entertainment, in a busker style.<ref name=jg1/> It is generally performed in a cordoned-off area, with the audience separated from the dancers.<ref name=r170>{{harvnb|Richter|2008|p=170}}</ref>
''Kuda Lumping'' is traditionally performed by a group of men drawn from the local community; this group can number from two to eight.<ref name=b2/><ref name="r170"/><ref name=s199/> The performers mount rattan horses and dance while traditional instruments such as the angklung, gongs, and ''dog-dog'' drums are played.<ref name=jg1/><ref name=r170/><ref name=s199/> This portion of the performance ends when a dancer enters a trance, which is traditionally said to be caused by spirit possession.<ref name=jg1/> In ''Sang Hyang Jaran'', the audience may participate by forming a chorus and singing.<ref name=b2/>
During their trances, the dancers may pretend to eat grass or drink water, while another performer or shaman uses a whip to direct them. In some performances, dancers may walk on coals or eat glass or fire, which can cause various injuries. The dancers also interact with the audience; in busker performances, they may ask for money. In some areas, the dancers serve as oracles to deliver prophecies. After awakening from their trances, performers claim not to remember anything done while performing.<ref name=jg1/><ref name=b2/>
In East Java, the similar dance is called ''Jathilan'', and is a part of Reog Ponorogo performance. A Jathil is a youthful, handsome horseman riding horses made of woven bamboo. Unlike common jaran kepang, however, jathil never performed trance dances and stunts such as eating glass or walking on fiery charcoal. Traditionally jathilan dance was performed by gemblakan, today Jathil usually performed by female dancers.
==Equipment== [[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Dansers op stokpaarden die deelnemen aan een Kuda Kepang spel tijdens de feesten op Koninginnedag in Mataram TMnr 60042740.jpg|thumb|left|A Kuda Lumping dancer in Mataram, Lombok (1922)]] thumb|left|A female dancer showing her rattan horse Dancers perform using rattan horses, generally colourful and decorated with beads and sequins. Adults use larger horses than children. Children's horses may also be cut from bamboo mats.<ref>{{harvnb|Epstein|2008|p=219}}</ref> Performers wear colorful clothes and may occasionally dress as soldiers. The costume may also include small bells strung around the ankle.<ref name=jg1/> In comparison to the shaman, the dancers' costumes are more feminized.<ref name=r172>{{harvnb|Richter|2008|p=172}}</ref>
==Symbolism== Henry Spiller suggests that ''Kuda Lumping'' represents spiritual power and masculine virility, which is "wild and uncontrolled ... yet ultimately a good thing".<ref name=s200>{{harvnb|Spiller|2008|p=200}}</ref> Max Richter notes that the erratic movements of the "feminized" dancers may "draw on ideas about the subordinate 'irrational' female", while the slower, more deliberate movements of the shaman "may be seen as masculine and potent". However, he considers this secondary to the conflicts of science versus magic and good versus bad.<ref name=r172/> He also notes that it serves as a way for young boys to release energy in a non-violent manner.<ref name="Richter 2008 171">{{harvnb|Richter|2008|p=171}}</ref> These, of course, are the interpretations of Western academics and do not reflect the views and intentions of the native dancers.
==Reception== ''Kuda Lumping'' is widely popular, but individual observer opinions vary. Some view it as being related to the evil spirit, while others see it as being a good influence. A shift in meaning, from a mainly spiritual ritual to entertainment, has been noted.<ref name="Richter 2008 171"/>
''Kuda Lumping'' has been used as the basis for a ''dangdut'' song of the same name.<ref name=s199>{{harvnb|Spiller|2008|p=199}}</ref>
In August 2025, three men pleaded guilty in the Syariah Court in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia, for charges under Section 3 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment of Johor 1997 of incorrect acts of worship (''{{ill|syirik|ms}}'') after a video of the men performing ''Kuda Kepang'' went viral.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=30 August 2025 |title=RITUAL KUDA KEPANG: TIGA LELAKI MENGAKU BERSALAH DI BATU PAHAT |url=https://www.bernama.com/radio/news.php?id=2462374 |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=Bernama |language=ms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Md. Amin |first=Nor Azura |date=30 August 2025 |title=Ritual kuda kepang: Tiga lelaki mengaku bersalah |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/745826/berita/semasa/ritual-kuda-kepang-tiga-lelaki-mengaku-bersalah |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=Sinar Harian |language=ms}}</ref> The Johor Mufti later added that the dance can be preserved due to its cultural heritage but it cannot compromise on Islamic principles.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=9 September 2025 |title=Kuda Kepang Can Be Preserved, But Must Align With Shariah – Johor Mufti |url=https://www.bernama.com/en/region/news.php?id=2465632 |access-date=10 September 2025 |website=Bernama |language=}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Indonesia}} * Javanese culture * Kejawèn (Javanism) * ''Reog'' * ''Sanghyang'' (Sacred Balinese dance)
==References== '''Footnotes''' {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
'''Bibliography''' *{{cite web |url=http://sem2008.blogs.wesleyan.edu/files/2008/10/imadebandempaper.pdf |title=Performing Arts of Indonesia (Performance Education and Archive)|last1=Bandem |first1=I Made|year=2008 |publisher=Wesleyan University|access-date=31 July 2011}} *{{cite book |title=The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Children's Issues Worldwide |last=Epstein |first=Irving |volume=1|year=2008 |publisher=Greenwood Press |location=Westport, Connecticut |isbn=978-0-313-33620-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LPVfEI1j15EC&dq=kuda+lumping&pg=PA219}} *{{cite book |title=Performing the Nation: Cultural Politics in New Order Indonesia |last=Hellman|first= Jörgen|year=2003|publisher=NIAS Press|location=Copenhagen|isbn=978-0-7007-1678-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RiEbyReGOQoC&dq=kuda+lumping&pg=PA16}} *{{cite book|chapter=Other Worlds in Yogyakarta: From Jatilan to Electronic Music |editor=Ariel Heryanto |editor-link=Ariel Heryanto |title=Popular Culture in Indonesia : Fluid Identities in Post-Authoritarian Politics |last=Richter |first=Max|year=2008 |publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=978-0-415-46112-2 |pages=164–181 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xuzutv4mVTgC&dq=kuda+lumping&pg=PA180}} *{{cite book |title=Focus : Gamelan Music of Indonesia |last=Spiller |first=Henry|year=2008 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York|isbn=978-0-203-93099-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3KrYMqbBL9AC&dq=kuda+lumping&pg=PA200}}
{{Dance of Indonesia}}
Category:Dances of Indonesia Category:Dances of Java Category:Dances of Malaysia Category:Ritual animal disguise