[Kabar-indonesia] 'Tobong' performers strive for survival amid nomadic life

[JoyoNews at aol.com]

The Jakarta Post
Friday, September 22, 2006

'Tobong' performers strive for survival amid nomadic life 

Agus Maryono, Contributor, Banyumas

photo: A member of the Rumpun Suro kethoprak tobong crew sits in front of the 
stage inside a marquee. In the foreground are rows of bamboo benches for the 
audience. (JP/Agus Maryono) 

Sadness, happiness, tears and laughter have become inseparable parts of the 
lives of the traveling performers of kethoprak tobong.

The kethoprak -- a Javanese traditional musical theater -- reached its peak 
in the 1980s but has now become rare. 

In Banyumas regency, Rumpun Suro may be the only kethoprak tobong troupe that 
is still in existence, with the mushrooming of more modern entertainment. 
There used to be more than 20 groups in Banyumas along. 

The existence of Rumpun Suro owes largely to S. Wibakso, 57, whose idealism 
has helped the group survive. 

The 30-strong troupe, which is made up of stage performers and musicians, 
moves from one village to another throughout Banyumas. They perform traditional 
dramas under temporary marquee locally known as tobong. They usually travel 
three or four months a year. 

Kethoprak derives its storylines and characters from real or at least 
semi-mythical personalities in the history of Java. The stories are set in ancient 
Javanese kingdoms of Singosari, Padjadjaran, Majapahit, Demak, Pajang and 
Mataram. 

Using Javanese language, the performances are accompanied by music from 
gamelan instruments with the dominant sound of the traditional bamboo-made or 
wooden-made drum known as kentong. 

During the glory days in the 1980s, most kethoprak groups had their own 
permanent tobong, usually in the capital of a subdistrict or regency. 

But with people turning to more modern types of entertainment like movies and 
TV, most of the troupes were unable to survive. 

"So we have chosen to perform this way, moving our tobong from one place to 
another," Wibakso told The Jakarta Post recently while performing in Pasir Lor 
village, Karanglewas subdistrict, Banyumas. 

To erect the tobong, which also functions as a communal shelter for the 
troupe, the group has to rent a field. 

"Of course it is much better for us if the local government can spare a place 
for us to perform, as a way of showing concern for the preservation of this 
traditional art form," said Wibakso, who studied karawitan (gamelan orchestra). 

A former arts ambassador who has visited a number countries to promote 
traditional dance and drama, Wibakso hopes for support from the government to help 
his troupe survive. 

The tobong is able to hold 300 people, with tickets costing from Rp 750 to Rp 
1,500. 

"When it rains, no one will come to see our performance. We are forced to 
take the night off in that case," Wibakso said. 

Traveling under the tobong the troupe holds on to the old Javanese saying, 
Mangan ora mangan kumpul, which means with or without food they must stay 
together. This sense of togetherness seems to have helped the troupe survive. 

Each member of the group is only given a small room in which to sleep, with 
no door but a curtain instead. Some may end up sleeping on the stage. 

"Rooms are only given to women and families. This is how we live our lives," 
said Wibakso, adding that there were at least five families in the group. 

To earn extra money, some members work as manual workers or domestic helpers 
during the day. 

"What makes us happy is having lots of people come to our performance, and 
seeing them happy with the performance. We are all sad when only a few people 
come to see us," Wibakso said. 

All of the members of the group have developed a feeling of family for each 
other. 

"Four of our children were born in this tobong. Everyone is helpful here," 
said Marto Suwardi, 60, who joined the troupe in 1981 with his wife Waltini, 45. 

They also share the sad times. 

"Sometimes a crew member dies in the tobong. We usually bury them in the 
nearest cemetery," said Sutrisno, 57, who is from the neighboring regency of 
Banjarnegara. 

Most cannot say how long they will continue to lead this nomadic life. Many 
say they are not sure they can get another job if they leave the troupe. 

"So I will probably just be with the group for the rest of my life. I've been 
living this way for over 20 years. It will be difficult for me to just leave 
it. Only death may do us apart," Marto said. 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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