38 The Development of Jathilan Performance as an Adaptive Strategy Used by Javanese Farmers Agus Maladi Irianto Fakultas Ilmu Budaya, Diponegoro University, Indonesia Jalan Prof. Soedarto Tembalang Semarang, Indonesia E-mail: ami.fibundip@gmail.com Received: February 29, 2016. Revised: March 23, 2016. Accepted: June 2, 2016 Abstract This paper is aimed at describing adaptive strategy used by supported community to preserve and develop Jathilan, Javanese traditional ritual art performance. In describing the aim, the most fundamental nature and meaning attached in the artistic performance had been studied. Quali- tative method was employed through literature review and field study. This study located in Magelang Regency, Central Java. The Jathilan in this paper is seen as cultural identity for its sup- ported community, that has a specific role socially and ritually. The supported community, in ad- dition, believes that this traditional art is not only acted as an entertainment, but also a facilitator for their hopes and prays. Despite some changes have influenced the differences of style and vari- ation in the performing art, however, the changes themselves are the manifestation of adaptive strategy had from the supported community to preserve and conserve Jathilan performing art. Keywords: Jathilan; adaptive strategy; farmer community; integrative need How to Cite: Irianto, A. M. (2016). The Development of Jathilan Performance as an Adaptive Strategy Used by Javanese Farmers. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research And Education, 16(1), 38-48. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.15294/harmonia. v16i1.5213 HARMONIA : Journal of Arts Research and Education 16 (1) (2016), 38-48 Available online at http://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/harmonia DOI: 10.15294/harmonia.v16i1.5213 p-ISSN 1411-5115 e-ISSN 2355-3820 and accepted by feelings (Suparlan, 1985, pp. 5-6, and Tuner, 1986, pp. 5-6). Art is an integral human need which is used to improve and establish standard of living. It is believed that no matter how simple one’s life is, they will keep seeking and using aesthetic aspect of life through art in the middle of their struggle to keep their primary needs. However, it needs to be realized that environment and the needs of every society are not always the same. As a result, every society will de- velop an adaptive strategy to satisfy each integrative need. Departed from the diffe- rent development strategy, thus, there will be different manifestations of art for each society. A farmer community in Javanese village, for example, has developed art as an integrative need and, functionally, rela- tes it to the culture in the area where they INTRODUCTION To establish and improve one’s li- ving standard, a man needs to fulfil seve- ral needs which have been accepted uni- versally. There are stages in this human needs, (1) primary or biologic need, it is resulted from biologic and organism as- pects, (2) social needs, it reflects human as social beings and is naturally structural, it is manifested as results of human effort in fulfilling their primary needs that have to involve others in a certain social life; often referred as instrumental need, and (3) integrative or simbolic needs, it ref- lects human as cultural human being; it is seen from the basic nature of human as a thinker, morals, and have feelings, used to integrate several needs into a system that is accepted morally, understood by logic, Agus Maladi Irianto, The Development of Jathilan Performance as an Adaptive Strategy ... 39 were living since long time ago. Art, as for Javanese village farmers, is seen as a me- dium to legitimate their status and preser- ve their society identity (Danandjaja, 1985, p. 19; Koentjaraningrat, 1994, pp. 211-220). One of performing art has by a Ja- vanese village farmer community that is still preserved till recently is Jathilan. Jat- hilan itself is one of traditional performing art that act as cultural identity for the Ja- vanese farmer community (Irianto, 2014- 2015). Jathilan which uses kuda kepang in its performance, is considered as one of the connector of ritual values with the con- cepts of simplicity and mutual cooperation between people in one farmer community (Nugraheni, 2014; Nurani, 2008). As a ritual medium, the Javanese farmer community carries out Jathilan as a medium to pray for safety, prosperity, and welfare to God. However, in line with the development of technology, like TV or video player, recently, there are a conside- rable number of VCD and DVD contained in the video of Jathilan in a more solid, con- cise, and interesting package (Sutiyono, 1994). The development of Jathilan perfor- mance has then resulted in the develop- ment that produces different style, variety, and even function for its supported com- munity. The problem raised in this pheno- menon is why does the development of Jathilan experience the shift of function, even though, the background of its sup- ported community remains at a group of community living in a village who keeps controlling a plot of land effectively and li- ving in the Javanese culture environment? How does the adaptive strategy developed by the supportive community preserve the existence of Jathilan performing art? Departed from these questions, thus, in order to study the function shift and adaptive strategy had by a supportive community to preserve Jathilan cannot be separated from the dynamic development of the culture surrounding it. By studying culture had by the Javanese village far- ming community, the contextual picture of Jathilan will be seen, both relating to the nature of Jathilan and to the adaptive stra- tegy used by the community to develop the traditional performance itself. The Jathilan is addressed by the Javanese village far- mer community as a medium to legitimate their existence and preserve identity. It is also part of their cultural expression (Ko- entjaraningrat, 1994, pp. 211-212). As exp- lained by Rohidi (2000, p. 41), culture can be understood as (1) living guidance used as a comprehensive blueprint or design for its supported community; (2) system of symbol, meaning appropriation and cog- nitive model that is transmitted through symbolic codes; and (3) adaptive strategy to preserve and develop one’s life in con- fronting the environment and resources around their living environment. The statement is in line with Geertz (1973, p. 89) and Suparlan (1985, pp. 1-19) that culture is an entire human knowledge contained with a set of knowledge model that is selectively used to understand and interpret the knowledge they face, as well as to encourage and create the needed acti- on. From the statement, one can learn that culture is a set of guideline used by human to adapt to the environment or to fulfil their living needs. Moreover, it also needs to be realized that art exists, developed, and standardized through social tradition held by its supported community, so that the development of art is indirectly in line with the shift of culture that is obeyed by the community (Irianto, 2005, pp. 1-7). In accordance with the aim of previo- us studies, this paper is attempting to stu- dy the adaptive strategy of the supported community in order to preserve and de- velop Jathilan. To describe this, the nature and meaning behind the performance of Jathilan to its supported community will be discussed. The interpretation will be ref- lected in a way of life, beliefs, and values are impregnated by community living in a certain living hood. To describe the contextual picture of Jathilan in Javanese village farmer en- vironment, one cannot identify this only from the artistic perspective. It is because inside the performance, there are aesthetic HARMONIA : Journal of Arts Research and Education 16 (1) (2016): 38-4840 and ideology aspects of its supported com- munity that meets (see Keeler, 1987, p. 17). Thus, the existence of Jathilan is ideal not to be seen from the aesthetic perspective, but also from the point of view that the exis- tence of the performance is also influenced by its dynamic functions and meanings for its supported community (Djelantik, 2008). Functions and interpretations implicitly reflected in the traditional performing art will be dynamically related to the values that need to be faced by its supported com- munity. METHOD There were two stages of research done by researcher in this study, the litera- ture review and field study. In the stage of literature review, the researcher received a considerable number of references related to the historical data of Jathilan existence in Indonesia. The references were collected by researchers from journals, newspapers, internet, proceedings, textbooks, and re- ports from the previous study conducted by researcher. After conducting the lite- rature review stage, the next step was de- ciding the location for field study which was in Magelang regency, Central Java, Indonesia. The decision of location was based on two basic considerations. First, among regencies in Central Java, the cen- ter of Jathilan performing art where the performance is still continually preserved is in Magelang regency. It was proven by the existence of 153 performing art groups which still actively rehearse and perform Jathilan. Second, the location of Magelang regency which is exactly beside Jogjakarta province that is well-known as the center of the art of Javanese society. In the stage of field study, resear- cher collected the data by doing observa- tion and deep interview with several such persons. The results of the observation and interview were used as a guideline to comprehensively describe the existence of Jathilan. Observation, specifically, was pur- posefully used to record all conditions and experiences that were previously observed by researchers. Whereas the interview was addressed to source persons or key infor- mants who were considered reliable in gi- ving information related to the existence of Jathilan. Furthermore, in relation to the data analysis, this study was conducted by employing descriptive-analytic approach, that is, an approach aiming at describing a relationship between phenomena in a cer- tain community (Creswell, 1994). Through this approach, the study attempts to find out an understanding about the reasons, background, as well as interpretations which underlie action and decision-ma- king taken by supported the community in addressing the existence of Jathilan. Data collected from the research was imple- mented as a model, perspective, motiva- tion, knowledge, and background of the community in developing the traditional performing art. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Based on research, the researcher has received a comprehensive descripti- on about Jathilan. Broadly, the description explains about: (1) the background of the community that supports Jathilan, (2) cul- tural meanings and messages contained in Jathilan, and (3) Jathilan as the medium for slametan, communal feast from Java. The following is a description of the results. The Background of Community Support- ing Jathilan As explained previously, this re- search took place in Magelang Regency, Central Java. Magelang regency is loca- ted between mountains, consists of 21 districts, and owns hundreds of traditio- nal performing arts. The name of art ty- pes spread in those 21 districts are Topeng Ireng, Soreng, Wayang Orang, Kubrosiswo, Jathilan, Dayakan, Topengan, Ketoprak, Pra- juritan, Jelantur, Warokan, Dolalak, Srandul, Lengger, Gangsir Ngentir, Reog, Sholawatan, Ande-ande Lumut, Gatholoco, Rodhat, Mana- suka, Langentoyo, Kuntulan, Cekok Mondol, Balilele, and Cakarlele. Based on the record Agus Maladi Irianto, The Development of Jathilan Performance as an Adaptive Strategy ... 41 had by Department of Tourism and Cultu- re in Magelang Regency on July 2015, there are 723 types of traditional performing arts spread in 21 districts (Please see Table 1). Table 1. Number of Traditional Perform- ing Arts in Magelang Regency Types of Perform- ing Arts Number of Performing Art Groups Topeng Ireng 100 Soreng 40 Wayang Orang 5 Kubrosiswo 98 Jathilan 153 Dayakan 40 Topengan 3 Ketoprak 56 Prajuritan 9 Jelantur 6 Warokan 20 Dolalak 5 Srandul 4 Lengger 8 Gangsir Ngentir 3 Reog 21 Sholawatan 131 Ande-ande Lumut 1 Gatholoco 2 Rodhat 2 Manasuka 1 Langentoyo 1 Kuntulan 2 Cekok Mondol 1 Balilele 3 Cakarlele 8 Total 723 Source: Department of Tourism and Cul- ture Magelang Regency in 2015 Meanwhile, written in the data, numbers of Jathilan performing art group are the most if it is compared with other traditional performing arts. Based on re- cords from Department of Tourism and Culture Magelang Regency until July 2015, there are 153 Jathilan performing art groups. The question raised towards this phenomenon, why does Jathilan perfor- ming art have more enthusiasts than other performing arts? Based on several source persons, learning Jathilan does not need a special education. It only needs a simple introduction about the art and direct prac- tice in society. Thus, whoever the person is, they can perform the performance. This performing art exists and is developed as a result of collective intelligence that is in- herited from one generation to another ge- neration orally, from one mouth to another mouth through direct practice. From this simple introduction, thus, Jathilan perfor- ming art becomes popular among society, particularly in Magelang Regency (Irianto, et al., 2014-2015). The popularity of Jathilan also sprea- ds to all districts in the area of Magelang Regency, although the comparison of num- bers of Jathilan performing art groups are not the same for each district. By the sprea- ding of the arts in every district, the popu- larity of Jathilan is somehow clearly seen. The comparison of a number of the groups, however, cannot be compared with the numbers of people living in each district. For example, people live in the Bandongan district in 2014 was 56,634 people based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics of Magelang Regency and at the same time only one performing art group existed in this district. On the other hand, in the same year, in Sawangan district, there were only 56,010 people living in the district, but it had 34 Jathilan performing art groups. Further, the distribution of Jathilan perfor- ming art group in Magelang Regency can be seen in the following Table 02. HARMONIA : Journal of Arts Research and Education 16 (1) (2016): 38-4842 As a form of folk dance originated from farmers, Jathilan is considerably dif- ferent from dance originated from the pa- lace. If classical dance from the palace is resulted from a dance choreography that is distilled strictly, on the other hand, Jathi- lan performance as a folk performing art is more of a flexible dance type. Even, accor- ding to Sedyawati (1984), dance originated from outside palace is usually expressed hardly, meanwhile, the dance originated from inside the palace is smoother and slower. Jathilan belongs to an art origina- ted from outside palace which is expres- sed spontaneously and hardly. In additi- on, several source persons also mentioned that the word “jathilan” itself comes from a Javanese word called “jathil” which me- ans jumping or hoping joyfully. However, based on another source person, “jathilan” comes from the Javanese term “Jan Thil- Thailand” which means whole heatedly moves all parts of body dynamically till sometimes look rough. Therefore, a Jathi- lan dancer has to wholeheartedly move all of his body dynamically to express happi- ness, even though it will look rough. It has to be admitted that knowled- ge of farmer society basically tends to be social rather than economical. Irianto and Thohir (2004) claim that value and attitude had by farmer society tends to prioriti- ze tranquility and peace without a need to push their desire more than what they have currently. This is what is usually kno- wn as value and attitude which maintains small society tradition and local value. For example, farmers have still stuck to the principle of receiving income equally, alt- hough they have to live on stage of paras subsistence. However, in line with the deve- lopment of civilization, the farmer society also has to get involved in economic activi- ty and depends on broader market (larger tradition). Among the contradict condition, Jat- hilan performance grows and develops in Magelang Regency. Jathilan here is actually able to accommodate the condition that is faced by the farmer society. As stated by one of such person, the numbers of Jathilan Table 2. Numbers of Jathilan Performing Art Group and Its Distribution in Mage- lang Regency Districts Number of Groups Bandongan 1 Borobudur 20 Candimulyo 12 Dukun 10 Grabag 3 Kajoran 5 Kaliangkrik 9 Mertoyudan 8 Mungkid 5 Muntilan 9 Ngablak 1 Ngluwar 4 Pakis 2 Salam 4 Salaman 6 Sawangan 34 Secang 2 Srumbung 6 Tegalrejo 6 Tempuran 1 Windusari 5 Total 153 Source: Department of Tourism and Culture Magelang Regency in 2015 Based on both observation and inter- view results with several source persons, the enthusiast of Jathilan performing art in Magelang Regency is a group of so- ciety comprises of people living in villages and working as farmers. They have been bounded with tradition and feelings since very long time. By keeping obeying tradi- tion and feelings, thus, they think that the world of farming and themselves are part of an interrelated aspect. People in these districts are working as a farmer for not only collecting profits, but also to meet the need of their modest family or, in ot- her words, to receive their rights to live in paras subsistence (Irianto, et al. 2014-2015). Agus Maladi Irianto, The Development of Jathilan Performance as an Adaptive Strategy ... 43 performing group in Borobudur District, for example, is considerably numerous since the area is located around the world tourism object that is Borobudur temple which frequently performs the attraction of Jathilan. By developing the existing crea- tivity, Jathilan from Borobudur District has been able to be one of entertaining art as well as tourism commodity in Magelang Regency. Different from what happened to Srumbung District, located on the slo- pe of Merapi mountain, the society is still maintaining the originality of Jathilan as a medium to communicate with their ances- tors. Even though the number of Jathilan performing art group in Srumbung district is not as many as in Borobudur District, however, the existence of traditional art in Srumbung District is used by the society to ask for protection from their ancestors from the dangers of volcanic eruption (Irianto, et al. 2014-2015). From the expla- nation, it can be understood that the exis- tence of Jathilan in Magelang Regency is able to preserve small tradition had from the supported community in one hand, and rationally can be also used to adhere bigger tradition developed in its surroun- ding in the other hand as happened in Srumbung and Borobudur District. Cultural Meanings and Messages in Jathilan Performing Arts From the description of background of the supported community of Jathilan in Magelang Regency, thus, the traditional performing art itself must contain mea- nings and messages in the form of ideas, abstraction, attitude, as well as belief and experiences had by the farmer community. Moreover, the performing art itself exists and is developed after it is standardized through a social tradition of its supported community. Therefore, the development of performing art is indirectly in line with the changing or shift of culture had by the society. Then, what kind of artistic perfor- mance Jathilan is? The performance of Jat- hilan is started by music accompaniment that is played by the music player. After several minutes, dancers acting as warriors are coming to the stage while riding on an artificial horse made from woven bamboo or usually called as jaran kepang in Java- nese term. The music accompaniment has to be continuously played until the end of the performance. The next scene is when the dancer acting as a giant or butho or a big animal look like a lion, which is kno- wn as barongan comes to the stage to cha- se the soldiers. Here, at this time, usually the dancers are possessed. While dancing, the possessed dancers will show some at- tractions, like, breaking coconut with bare head or swallowing glasses. The scene is ended by a dancer acting as the figure of a prince who will solve all problems (Irianto, et al. 2014 & 2015). Types of Jathilan dance, as informed by source persons, are: Pariaksi, Lampah Mletik, Pincangan, Pencikan, Teposan, Riye- pan, Lampah Satrio, Pancak Jonggo, Untu Walang, Lampah Mbalik, Sembiran, and La- rikan. In order to dance those types of dan- ces, practice is needed. Several movements practiced by the dancers are the movement of hand waving back and forth, movement of thumb flicking twice, movement of cut- ting grass, movement of horse shifting to the right, left, and forward, movement of horse drinking, etc. In one group of Jathilan performer, it usually consists of eight mu- sic players. Whereas, the Jathilan dancers usually consist of 10-16 people. The next question will be who was the first creator of Jathilan performance? Based on several literature reviews and in- terviews with key informants, there is no one knows about the first creator of Jathi- lan. The same as other traditional arts, the creator of Jathilan performing art is anon- ymous. According to Soedarsono (1990), the weakness of traditional art performing is its manifestation that will be disappea- ring right after the performance is over. It is different to fine arts, that still can be enjoyed even after the exhibition is over, fine art can also be kept for unlimited time. The same also works for the data related to the time when a certain performance was performed and developed in Javanese HARMONIA : Journal of Arts Research and Education 16 (1) (2016): 38-4844 cultural environment. There is no one has ever exactly recorded the data. However, more or less the Javanese culture was first existed and developed was when The Pe- geud started to publish his book entitled Javanese Volksvertoningen in 1930s. That year is considered as the year when Java- nese traditional performing art started to exist in the Javanese culture environment (Kuswarsantyo, 2013). The performance of traditional art, which uses equipment in the form of artifi- cial horse, is usually held in village festivity occasion that is known as merti desa. Merti Desa is an annual festivity for a public that is usually held by farmers in most of Java- nese villages. This occasion is usually held after harvest or before planting season. The purpose is to clear the village from the evil spirit, disease, as well as disaster. The- refore, holding the performance of Jathilan means also a form of social solidarity from its supported community as to fulfil their hope of being free from disaster (Irianto, et al. 2004-2015). The performance of Jathilan traditio- nal performing art is usually adapted the story of Panji Asmarabangun, a set of sto- ries from the period of classical Javanese in the era of Kediri kingdom. It tells about heroic and love story between two central characters, Raden Inu Kertapati (Panji As- marabangun) and Dewi Sekartaji (Galuh Candrakirana). Besides in Jathilan, the sto- ry has also been widely adapted in other traditional performances. Related to this information, the key informants (based on data from Irianto, et al., 2014-2015), added that Jathilan perfor- mance actually has several versions. From the versions, there are three dominating versions: (1) version that represents the cavalry of Pangeran Diponegoro (Prince Diponegoro) in beating Deutch colonia- lism, (2) version that depicts heroic story of Raden Patah which is help by Wali Son- go in introducing and spreading Islam in Java, as well as, (3) the Mataram version that tells about the practice of war lead by Pangeran Mangkubumi who had title as Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana I, the King of Jogjakarta Kingdom, to fight against Deutch. Despite many versions of Jathilan performance, the similarity lies in the usage of the wooden bamboo artificial hor- se or Jaran Kepang as particularity property used during the performance. Minimally, four flat, artificial wooden bamboo horse is used in Jathilan performance. The horse itself has different colors, there are white, red, yellow and black. Based on interview with several informants, colors attached in the artificial horses are believed to be able to contain meanings about human’s natu- ral character. White illustrates the nature of meaningful kindness of human being (mutmainah). Red illustrates the anger (amarah) side of a human which means bra- ve, yellow illustrates the nature of human being that is supiyah which means tempted desire to possess, and black illustrates aluamah which means greedy. Research by Prakosa (2006) states that Jathilan is speci- fically a depiction of troop movement by imitating and mimicking horsemen. Si- multaneous and rhythmic stomping legs are clearly seen, meanwhile the hands are stickily holding the artificial horse. In ad- dition to this, Kuswarsantyo (2013) argues that Jathilan is thematically a heroic dance illustrating troop who are practicing war. Another question raised of why the horse is used as an important symbol in Jathilan performance. Informants or sour- ce persons mention that horse is a symbol of strength and courage, as well as a favo- rite animal of Javanese kingdom knights (Irianto, et al., 2014-2015). The argumenta- tion is supported by Pigeaud that is cited by Kuswarsantyo (2013) that belief in an- cient Javanese society regards horse as a very important animal that the existence of horse is closely related to supernatural power in that ancient era of Java. It is be- lieved that inside the body of a horse, espe- cially at the head part, lies the spirit of the ancestors. Thus, the horse becomes symbol of strength as well as the characteristic of Jathilan. Moreover, the horse is the symbol of strength. Naturally, the horse has much spirit and has functioned as a “street com- Agus Maladi Irianto, The Development of Jathilan Performance as an Adaptive Strategy ... 45 pass”. The supported community of this traditional performing art believes that by using property of artificial horse, there will be ancestor spirits that come to face disas- ters. Beliefs and meanings had by suppor- ting community towards Jathilan as desc- ribed previously, basically explains that the traditional art is a medium which is able to accommodate ideas from its sup- ported community. If Jathilan performance is medium to accommodate the ideas of supported community, thus, it has been integrated structurally and mentally in the cultural system supported by the con- cerned society (Geertz, 1973). If this has been integrated in cultural system, it has been used as guidance by its supported community to realize an action. Within this system, embedded sets of cognition, symbol, and meaning that are integrated comprehensively. In line with the thought, thus, the symbol system is used selectively by its supported community to communicate, preserve, relate, behave, and act to fulfil its integrative needs. The supported society believes that by holding Jathilan, which contains social function, togetherness in the attempt to strengthen the identity and integrity of supported community is able to be created. Besides, based on observati- on, it can be said that Jathilan performance is able to create the atmosphere of solida- rity between farmer dancers and farmer audiences in Javanese cultural environ- ment. Moreover, tradition and local moral value about social and ritual meaning are attached in Jathilan. Social meaning con- tained in this traditional performing art is reflected in the society’s life, such as, mu- tual assistance, helping each other, as well as seeing problems as collective issues. On the other sides, supported community also needs safety and protection from “The Ca- retaker” of nature or ancestor spirits which are then expressed through ritual (Irianto, et al., 2014-2015). Jathilan as a Medium of Slametan As a farmer community, dependency of human towards nature greatly influen- ces the dynamics of life of community supports Jathilan performing art. Human’s dependency on planting and harvesting season need an expression medium which able to create the happiness nuance as well as togetherness between people in so- ciety. However, when they, people in the community, have to endure dry season or disaster, they do not have ability to over- come it. As a result, they need help from their ancestor spirits which are believed to be able to control the nature condition. Condition of nature is understood as areas full of spirit’s existence. In order to be able to understand the supernatural of the universe, a medium is needed to facilitate the communication between human and nature (Irianto and Thohir, 2004). Commu- nication between human and nature is ex- pressed through certain rituals, and one of it is expressed through performance of Jat- hilan in which within the performance are the prayers and wishes of the supported community. A community that supports Jathi- lan performance believes that traditional performing art has the ability to facilita- te their prayers and wishes. The prayers and wishes, in Javanese farmer commu- nity perspective, are expressed through the ritual process often called as slametan. Prayers in Javanese Jathilan, kuda kepang, or reog performance, generally aims at asking for safety to the Creator during the perfor- mance (Ambarwangi, et al., 2014, pp.37- 45). Slametan is believed as a medium that is able to create harmony horizontally and vertically. Through slametan, society belie- ves their social position as a human being is not different to the others; they also be- lieve that by holding slametan, they will be free from supranatural spirits haunted them. Slametan is able to accommodate so- cial and ritual demand (Geertz, 1983, p.13). The belief, based on Soedarsono (1990, p.4) was basically existed in the era of pre-Hin- duism, known as magi simpatetis belief. It is part of an ancient belief that influences the belief of society in the scope of Java- nese culture. It means that every event HARMONIA : Journal of Arts Research and Education 16 (1) (2016): 38-4846 happened around the human living envi- ronment is influenced closer to the event that has the power of magi simpatetis. Society supporting Jathilan perfor- ming art in Magelang regency also strengt- hens the argument. Based on observations in the field and interview with several key informants, Jathilan is considered as one medium that has the power of magi simpa- tetis. For example, Jathilan performance’s supported community in Srumbung district, Magelang regency, who lives on the slope of the Merapi mountain believes that the area they are living in belong to disaster-prone areas since the volcano may erupt in no time. They realize that they can do nothing to prevent or stop the disaster to happen, however, they keep hoping that the disaster will not destroy their fa- mily and neighbor around the environ- ment. One form of expressing the wishes is through holding ritual that is Jathilan (Irianto, et al., 2014-2015). As part of ritual procession, the- refore, meaning and the power of magi simpatetis contained in Jathilan is more emphasized. To hold the ritual procession, according to one informant, a communi- ty needs to follow certain ritual rules that have become a tradition and cannot be left by both dancers and the organizer. In order to give illustration regarding to the ritual rules, researcher has created a do- cumentary film of a Jathilan performance in Krajan, Ngargasoko Village, Srumbung District, Magelang Regency. In this place, there is one Jathilan performing art group, namely Panca Budaya that for some infor- mants are belong to a Jathilan performing art group that preserves the originality of the art which is inherited by their ances- tors (Irianto, et al., 2014-2015). Around two kilometers from the vil- lage, there is a field which is believed to local communities as a gate to the “king- dom” of supernatural spirits that “control” the area of Mount Merapi. In the area also there is a confluence of two small rivers called Tempuran which is believed to be a sacred place for purifying one self. For this reason, before Jathilan is performed in front of the gate of the “kingdom” of Me- rapi, all stage properties, like, the artificial horse, musical instrument, etc., which is used during the performance need to be purified in Tempuran river. The process of purifying or bathing is usually known as ngguyang jaran. To complete the process of ngguyang jaran, society prepares offerings to be brought to the purifying or bathing spot. The offering contains seven types of flowers, snacks, cooked chicken, boiled chicken eggs, coins, and burned incense. The ritual process of Jathilan in Krajan, Ngargosoko Village, Srumbung District, Magelang Regency is described in Irianto et al. (2014-2015): Before the performance of Jathilan is started, a ritual is done by a spiritual fi- gure in the village. The ritual is done by parading the stage equipment to the river which is believed sacred to be bathed. The stage equipment is eight to ten artificial horses, giant masks, a born-again, a set of musical instrument, as well as an offering. In the sacred river, the horses are bathed or purified. Meanwhile, the offering contains of seven-type of flowers, snacks, cooked chicken, boiled eggs, coins, and burned in- cense are devoted to the spiritual spirit of the village. The offering ritual is believed as permission to the ancestors for the sake of the performance to run well. If the ritual procession ngguyang ja- ran is completed, thus, all entire crews and dancers will come to the field without voi- ces or played instruments. The distance between the bathing spot to the stage of performance is more or less one kilome- ter which must be reached by climbing a mountain cliff. After everything is set up, the performance starts. One form of communication bet- ween supported community with super- natural spirits in the area is usually ref- lected from the scene of trance, possessed or what society called as ndadi which are unconsciously expressed through the dancers of Jathilan. When the dancers are possessed, it is believed that the spirits possess the dancers are the supernatural spirit haunting the place where Jathilan is Agus Maladi Irianto, The Development of Jathilan Performance as an Adaptive Strategy ... 47 performed. The scene performing the pos- sessed dancer is in fact becoming the most awaited scene by the audiences. The pos- sessed dancers are acting strange. Among the strange actions are screaming without any clear meaning, both hands are strong- ly held in fist, both legs are strained, both eyes are closed or even if it is opened, only the corneas are shown. Possessed, or ndadi in Javanese, does not only happen during the Jathilan performance. In other similar performances in Central Java, ndadi can be also experienced by audiences since they might be affected by the possessed dan- cers. In fact, the moment of ndadi itself that makes performances, like Jathilan, Reog, or Keda Kepang are interesting (Wiyoso, 2011; Ambarwangi, 2014). If Jathilan dancer is possessed, after that, the role of a “tamer” to guide pos- sessed dancers to dance by following the rhythm of Gamelan, Javanese traditional music. The “tamer” will also whisper a certain mantra while pulling the hair of the possessed dancers. While mantra has been whispered, both ears of the dancers are slowly blown. The purpose is to give suggestion to the subconscious mind of the possessed dancers. On the other hand, through the medium of the possessed dan- cers, the “tamer” also leaves messages to the spirits to keep and protect society from disaster and threats. After finishing whispering, the “tamer” lifts the body of the dancers and drops it to the ground, af- terwards. At the moment when the body drops to the ground, the dancer is back to their sense. Finally, they are dancing ac- cording to the rhythm of the music accom- paniment (Irianto, et al., 2014-2015). CONCLUSION Based on data taken from the field of study and literature review, the conclu- sions are: Performance of Jathilan is ideal not only studied from the aesthetic point of view, but also from the cultural identity perspective of its supported communi- ty. This is caused by the nature of Jathilan which is closely related or affected by the concept of culture embraced by the com- munity. The concept of culture will give us direction about adaptive strategies to preserve Jathilan which basically cannot be separated from the dynamic of culture ac- companying it. Jathilan performance considers to be one of the most popular traditional per- forming art in the community of farmers rather than other traditional performing arts. The popularity is gained since the art is able to accommodate the condition faced by the supported community. The commu- nity believes that the art can be used as me- dium to preserve small tradition held by society as well as to be used as medium to follow the bigger tradition in its surroun- ding, rationally. One of the specific characteristic of Jathilan is the use of artificial horse known as Jaran Kepang. The supported communi- ty believes that horse symbolizes strength and bravery, even specifically, head of the horse is believed to be the place that has the spirit of ancestor in it. Therefore, by using the artificial horse as property, it is believed that people will have the strength to face disaster that they might face. Belief and meaning about the horse basically ex- plain that the performing art of Jathilan is a medium to be used to accommodate ap- preciation and the ideas of the supported community. Jathilan performance is believed by society for not only to create happiness and togetherness, but also as a medium to facilitate prayers and wishes. Jathilan per- forming art is also identified as asocial acti- vity namely slametan that is regularly done by Javanese farmers. Through slametan, society believes that their social position is similar to other person positions. Society also believes that by holding slametan, they will be free from disturbance caused by supernatural power. The Javanese farmer community believes that slametan is able to accommodate social and ritual demand. As ritual medium, the Javanese far- mer community holds Jathilan performance as a medium to worship for safety, prospe- HARMONIA : Journal of Arts Research and Education 16 (1) (2016): 38-4848 rity, and welfare. 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