Here is an interesting piece of writing on Balinese Giant Demon Puppet (ogoh-ogoh) taken from Scott A Johnsen’s thesis which is entitled From Royal House to Nation: The Construction of Hinduism and Balinese Ethnicity In Indonesia.

Another aspect of the ogoh-ogoh debate having implications for the use of custom / culture / religion categories concerns the fact that some makers of these figures include realistic genitalia in their depictions of demons. A massive government campaign was underway during my fieldwork to stamp out pornographic video CDs and other examples of porno. Hindu Council officials were instructing gathered local officials that ogoh-ogoh should not be made with genitals, and furthermore that this was the responsibility of the entire village (desa), not simply the ward (banjar) making the ogoh-ogoh. I only saw one example of a “porno” ogoh-ogoh, in a village in Gianyar; however, this was well into the campaign to educate the public.

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Cakepung is a male social performance, combination of singing and dancing, done strictly for recreation and amusement, and is found today only in Karangasem Regency and on Lombok, its former vassal state. This folk-performance derives its name onomatopoeically from the sound of its accompaniment, a rhythmic vocal sound similar to that produced by the cak chorus. In the accompaniment, two dozen vocalists chant ‘pung-cakapung’ in unison.

A performance of cakapung might take place any evening during leisure time. The dancers gather at about seven o’clock at the bale banjar with simple costume, a sarong, headdress, a shirt sometimes bare-chested. Some participants bring bottles of tuak (Balinese palm wine), brem (sweet wine) or arak (distilled palm wine).

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When there is a celebration in a hamlet meeting hall or house compound, joged bungbung is one of few sought after social dances that is used to entertain audience and bring more festivity to the celebration.

Joged Bungbung on The Annual Bali Arts Festival 2006

The name joged bungbung derives from the word joged that means “dance” – joged bungbung dancer is also called joged - and the word bungbung refers to a length of hollow bamboo. Unlike the bronze-keyed, xylophone – like instrument of musical group that accompany most of the performance, the keys of this ensemble are turned length of the bamboo, struck with rubber-covered mallet held in both hands. The music is very soft and mellow. One may hear it played by a soloist as background music at restaurant. But the joged bungbung group consists of half a dozen or more of these instrument, some very large bass xylophones, several of medium size, and tiny ones to ornament the melody. There are also drums and cymbal like ceng-cengs. Since it has no religious connection, joged is now popular lobby entertainment at many of the larger hotels.
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The genjek was originated in the regencies of Buleleng and Karangasem, a decade ago. The word “genjek “is derived from the word “gonjak” means joke. It was born as a kill time activity; it started through talking and accompanied by the tuak (sweet wine made from the coconut palm flower) then developed to a kind spontaneous singing performance.

Genjek performance on The 28^th Annual Bali Arts Festival 2006

The genjek soon became popular and many young people formed groups. Nowadays the genjek can be used as an extension of a person’s artistic expression as well as a medium for relaying information. The rapid popularity of genjek is understanable since one is free to create one’s own lyrics. Joy, is the basic characteristic of genjek, the joy of genjek comes from the lyric of its song. Often these lyrics take the form of love, bawdy jokes on everyday activities, criticism of politics, modern times, people’s changing values and so on. The public can easily relate to these messages, due to genjek’s simple and accessible form. Moreover, genjek lyrics always have the local audience in fits of laughter.

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Daily photo journal of Bali Arts Festival 2006

Day 11, Tuesday, 27 June 2006

Time: 10.00
Event: Joged Bumbung by Raja Pala Foundation, Tabanan Regency.
Venue: Wantilan

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Daily photo journal of Bali Arts Festival 2006

Day 08, Saturday, 24 June 2006

Time: 10.00
Event: Joged Bumbung dance by Sanggar Swara Rakyat, Titiapi Pejeng, Gianyar Regency.
Venue: Kalangan Ayodya

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