Art & Culture
Kuda Renggong (Dancing Horse)
Kuda Renggong or Kuda Depok is one type of performance which present in the Regency of Sumedang, Majalengka and Karawang. The way of performing it is by a horse or more decorated with colorful ornaments, circumsized boy who rides on the back of the horse, the Boy wear the costume of a King or Knight, can also imitate the costume of Dalem Baheula, wearing Bendo, takwa and selop.
There is a Pelatuk in front of the dancing horse. Pelatuk is one of the player of Kuda Renggong, who acts as the guide and coordination leader of the group.
The music consist of big Kendang, Goong, Tarompet, Genjring or Terbang Gede or Dulag, in fact there is also Sinden and several male and female dancers. The group walks in the direction which has been decided before.
Kuda Renggong moves all the time as if it was dancing, because it is trained and used to listening to the music. Its movements are in harmony with the played sounds. If the rhythm is slow, the dancing horse will move its body slowly too, in the contrary if the rhythm becomes fast, the dancing horse will move its body fast.
Beside the horse’s legs movements, the head also make nodding movements. In front or in the side of the dancing horse there are several dancers, either from the group itself or from the audience or relation of the one who held the party. They dance together with happiness, this way it increase the luster of the show.
It is said that the taking care of dancing horse is very prioritized. Besides being grass feed, young horses are also feed with honey, milk, and eggs. Its voice is also properly maintained, guided with ribbon and decorated with colorful accessories with various beautiful colors.***