DRAGON CARVED JADE BRACELET
Chapter 55: WATCHING THE BARONGSAI
Jamil actually has a very good logic. He always thinks positively and uses reason. But because of the oddities that often occur and experience, the logic of reason is gradually changed with the assumption that beyond human ability there are still other forces that can not be seen with normal eyes. Beyond human reason, there are things that do not make sense as proof that the power of the Almighty exceeds the ability of human reason.
To please his wife and of course also his son, Jamil invited his wife and child to dance barongsai, at Tjong Hok Bio Temple which is the oldest temple in Juwana. That said, the Tjong Hok Bio temple has been around since the seventeenth century. Formerly, this temple was a gathering place for people, especially for merchants from China. Although the original building is no longer used for meetings, but this temple is still a center of association for people of Chinese descent who live in the Juwana area.
That day, Sunday. Jamil's not working, off. So while walking, while enjoying the natural beauty of the coast, the three of them enjoy it all. At that time, Jamil and Juminem who heard the music of the escort barongsai, they immediately intended to watch. Yes, the barongsai group played by people in the Tjong Hok Bio temple. Not from Naga Village.
"Well, Jum .., you heard that, right .... That is the art of barongsai, which our neighbors fuss about. Let's see it." Jamil said to his wife.
"Yes, Kang .... It turns out that there is indeed a barongsai .... Ayok, Kang ..., we're going there ...." Said Juminem who would love to invite his son to watch barongsai.
They also headed to the Tjong Hok Bio temple, where there were people holding barongsai dancing exercises. And certainly not too long, Jamil and Juminem arrived at that place.
Many children were already standing, squatting and even sitting cross-legged on the ground, who were watching the new dance. So are parents, men and women. There are also grandparents and grandparents. And of course there are also mothers who watch while holding their children, as done by Juminem. The atmosphere is very crowded and lively.
"Dang .., dungdeng ..., dungdeng .... Creeng .... Dang ..., dungdeng ..., dungdeng .... Creeeng ..." as soon as the accompanying music is continuously sounded. The sound of a drum being pierced and a brass disc being punched.
There are two lion barongs that jump played by the dancers. Each of those barongsai inside were two young boys. They jumped here and played the barongsai. Sometimes like crouching, sitting, walking, jumping. Very compact. Even sometimes the dancer in front of it jumps up, then stands on the shoulders of the players behind it. Yes, it was as if the barongsai were standing. Then play his head as if looking to the right, to the left, looking, even looking down. In addition, his mouth seemed to be able to open and close, as if the barongsai could eat or chew. Especially on the part of his eyes that could blink, as if the barongsai was indeed alive. Very stunning.
This time, the two barongsai were chasing. The barongsai-barongsai jumped up onto the barrel. Once the barongsai one chased, the front continued to jump on the barrels that had been arranged in the dance arena. Then the two barongsai were chasing while jumping. Very agile and interesting. To be able to dance as good as this, of course it takes practice continuously and seriously. Because if one jumps a little, surely two people in the barongsai will fall.
"Horeee ......!" a very lively applause from the audience, while watching the two barongsai scramble for the ball hanging in the middle of the field. Yes, the balls are decorated with colorful trinkets, which are as if they were precious gems. The two barongsai are racing to jump as high as possible, trying to catch the jewel ball. Keep jumping at each other high. Until finally, one of them can reach the jewel ball hanging in the middle of the field.
"Horeee ......!" again a standing ovation was given by the audience, appreciating the barongsai who managed to take the ball.
The other barongsai crouched down and worshiped to the barongsai who managed to catch the ball earlier, as if he paid tribute to his partner who managed to get the ball. It is a sign of the sportsmanship of a competition.
"Horeee ......! Horeee ......! Horeee ......!" a very loud applause from the audience again rumbled.
Simultaneously, several spectators extended their hands showing money towards the two barongsai. The two barongs jumped back up and down, grabbing the money in the hands of the audience, as an appreciation or a gift to the dancers.
"Mr .., Pa .... Ma ..., Ma ...." Melian who was carried by her mother clapped her hands. He seemed happy to see the barongsai dance.
Seeing his son who was very happy, then Jamil did not want to miss with the audience who had given money. Jamil rushed into his pocket, then showed the money up, to be taken by the barongsai.
"Hiaaap ..." then it jumped high snatching the money in Jamil's hands.
However, there was something strange that happened when the barongsai approached Jamil who stood with his wife and child. Suddenly, Melian's hand moved up, and ....
"Gdubraaght ....!" the barongsai fell down, a title on the ground.
The contenders who were nearby immediately helped to wake the fallen barongsai.
"Be careful .." said one of the helpful spectators.
"What big dragon ...?!" ask the others.
The other barongsai immediately stopped. His puller lowered the barong he was wearing, then ran to help his friend who fell. Likewise the hitters of musical instruments that accompany barongsai.they run to help his friend.
"What's up ...?!" ask friends.
"There was a big lion hitting us ..." said the dancer who fell earlier, and now holds her painful waist.
"What big lion ...?!" his friends are confused.
"There it is .... When I was cutting money there ..., suddenly appeared a large dragon hit the barongsai we played" said the two dancers.
"Ah .., you are there .... Don't be pretentious .... At least you are not strong enough to lift your friend ..." said his other friends who certainly do not believe the reason for the fallen dancer.
"What's up, Kang ...? How did the dancer fall ...?" asked Juminem who was worried when he watched the dancer who took the money from her husband's hand and suddenly fell.
"It's okay .... Ordinary, Jum .., if the people at the bottom do not support their friends at the top, then they will fall" Jamil told his wife.
"Ooo ...." Juminem nodded his head.
After his friend fell in please, and the barongsai was taken to the edge, then, the healers returned to play the instrument.
"Dang .., dungdeng ..., dungdeng .... Creeng .... Dang ..., dungdeng ..., dungdeng .... Creeeng ..." back the music reads. This time, liong-liong came out. Yes, a red dragon with streaks of golden squinting scales was played by about ten people holding bamboo sticks that were raised, lowered, shaken right and left, playing the dragon lion.
"Pa ..., P ...! Ma ..., Ma ...!" Melian gleefully watched the liong-liong who swirled, meandering dance very beautifully.
"Yes, Honey .... Good right ...?!" sahut Juminem who is happy to see his son excited.
"Pa ..., P. .., P ...! Ma ..., Ma ..., Ma ...!" again, Melian was excited. His hands were stretched out, as if he wanted to dance with the dragon Liong.
And suddenly, the dragon had already reached in front of Juminem and Jamil, approaching Melian. The baby boy's hand touched the dragon's head. And it was strange, as if the dragon had just been obedient to Melian. The little boy's hand was stroking the dragon's head.
"Hek .., hiq .., hik .., kikkiq ...." Melian laughing. He took his hand off the dragon's head.
The dragon jumped up high, as if flying above the clouds. It dabbled in the air, as if without stepping on the earth.
"Horeee ......!" a standing ovation was given by the audience, witnessing the prowess displayed by the lion dragon.
But actually, for his friends, both music anchors and barongsai dancers who have rested, feel very surprised by the attractions shown by the liong-liong. These are truly incredible leaps, never before witnessed. And this leap into space is impossible for his friends.
A marvelous magic of liong dance. However, is it true that it is indeed the ability of the lion dancers from the Tjong Hok Bio temple?