RENGKONG

Rengkong (Cianjur Traditional Arts , West Java)

Origin
Cianjur is one of the districts that administratively included in Cianjur regency. Communities mostly Muslim and is generally dependent on farming. In this area, precisely in Kampung Kandangsapi, Cisarandi Village, District Warungkondang there is a traditional art called "Rengkong". The origins of this art stems from transplanting of rice huma (field) to the hut (granary). West Java community at large, including community Warungkondang (Cianjur), in the past --sebelum know planting paddy (irigarasi system) - in general is as cultivators (ngahuma) on the move. Paddy fields that have been harvested must not be left in the fields, but it should be brought home. Given that the distance between the fields and residential areas (home cultivators) relatively far away, we need a tool to bring him, that pole made of bamboo. They call it a "Awi gombong". Pole weighted at approximately 25 kilograms of rice bound with Injuk kawung (rope fibers) if taken will cause sound or noise resulting from friction between the rope fibers and rods pole itself. And, the sound produced resembled the sound of hornbill (a kind of goose). Therefore, when the noise generated from the friction between the rope fibers and pole developed into an art form called "Rengkong".

That said, this Rengkong art Warungkondang known by the public, especially people in Kampung Sukaratu, Village Cisarandi, since the end of the 19th century. Adupan person to introduce or develop them is Said (deceased). In other villages (Sukaratu) was developed by an entrepreneur tile (1920-1967). Thus, the burden of which was originally in the form of rice was replaced with tile. Meanwhile, in the village of Kandangsapi developed by Sukarman since 1967.

Equipment
The equipment needed to realize the arts are referred to as Rengkong this is equipment that produces sound Rengkong itself with various sizes (major and minor). The equipment comprises or is made of a pole, mine fibers, rice, and kerosene. Pole made from a piece of gombong awi (bamboo gombong) thin with a length of 2 or 2.5 meters. One end and the other open (not enclosed by bamboo segments). Then, approximately 30 centimeters from the edges are perforated (resembling rafters) along approximately 38 centimeters. Mine fibers that 2 to 2.5 meters in length serves as a binder of paddy rice to be hung on a bar of Awi gombong which serves as a yoke. Then, rice weighing 20-25 kilograms as the load carrying pole. Moreover feared yoke will be broken. And, kerosene serves as pengesat friction between the rope and a pole, so that the friction produces a loud sound. Other equipment is dodog and angkung beans.

Players and Clothing
Rengkong overall number of players there are 14 people with the details: 2 as the carrier Rengkong great; 3 as small Rengkong carrier; 4 as a player dodog, namely dodog: tingrit, tongsong, brung-brung, and gedeblag; and angklung player beans consisting of 5 persons. Meanwhile, clothing or clothing which is worn the traditional clothing in the form: shucks or pangsi, headband and gloves.

Staging
Art Rengkong in Warungkondang is usually only performed in order to enliven the days of religious or national (August 17) in the form of a procession. In a staging Rengkong players usually numbering five people were in the front row. Then, followed by the players and the players angklung beans dodog. However, sometimes staging packaged collectively. That is, the players may move anywhere (mixed together).

Function
When Rengkong yet developed into a kind of art, it merely serves as a diversion from the man who was carrying a load (rice) to be hand carried. In this case the friction between the yoke and pole straps used as rhythm accompaniment, so that the burden is relatively heavy is not so perceived because because it was accompanied by the sounds typical. And, when Rengkong become a kind of art is not much different function, namely as entertainment.

For the record, referred to as Rengkong art is not only in the area Cianjunr alone, but also in Sukabumi and Banten. The difference, in both areas Rengkong not only serve as entertainment, but there are other functions that lie behind them, which is an expression of gratitude to the goddess of rice that has been providing welfare in the form of a bountiful harvest. Therefore, Rengkong always displayed and activities or ceremonies to rice storage barns.

Culture value
Art is the expression of the human spirit embodied in the beauty. Therefore, any art including art Rengkong are supported with simple equipment, containing aesthetic value (beauty). However, if carefully reviewed the arts are referred to as this Rengkong contains not only aesthetic value, but there are other values ​​which in turn can be used as a reference in everyday life. These values ​​include hard work and cooperation. The value of hard work is reflected in the distinctive voice rang resulting from friction between the rope fibers and yoke. This means that the rice with a specific weight bear. And, this would require hard work. Then, the value of cooperation reflected in the staging. In this without good cooperation impossible staging can run well and smoothly. In fact, there are other values ​​(religious) as shown by the community of Sukabumi and Banten.