Dragons and 'wayang' watch over Javanese homes<\/p>\n
By Shamala Kandiah<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Mythical flying dragons, legendary wayang
\ncharacters and everyday farm animals form part of the landscape
\nin many little villages in Java.<\/p>\n
Look up toward the heavens, and there they are perched high on
\nthe rooftops of the houses. More than just mere decoration, these
\nroof ornaments, known as wuwungan, reveal more about the owner of
\nthe house than one might imagine.<\/p>\n
Roof gables in Java are traditionally ornamented with
\nfigurines which symbolize the economic life of the surrounding
\ncommunity. Examples of different ornaments are on display at the
\nRio Brazil Churascaria in Kemang, South Jakarta, to Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Javanese believe wuwungan have magical properties which
\nwill protect inhabitants of the house from evil. Some figures,
\nlike roosters or bird riders, symbolize masculinity. Others like
\nthe sulur tanaman for agriculture may possibly be representations
\nof the rice goddess.<\/p>\n
To understand the significance of roof ornaments, one should
\nnote the saying that Javanese see roofs when they look at houses.<\/p>\n
It is believed the Javanese are partly descended from an
\ninflux of Austranesian people who brought with them basic house
\nstructures that are recognized today as an integral part of the
\ntraditional Javanese house.<\/p>\n
In fact, since Javanese houses are basically defined by their
\nroofs, houses in Java are classified according to roof forms.<\/p>\n
Most basic is the kampong roof sloping down on either side of
\nthe beam.<\/p>\n
The most commonly found type of roof on Java is the limasan,
\nformed by extending the kampong roof into a rectangular form.<\/p>\n
The most complex form, and the type considered the most
\ntypically Javanese, is known as joglo. Here the portion of the
\nroof that fits over the innermost four columns rises into an
\nalmost pyramidal form.<\/p>\n
This roof is typical of the kraton palaces of Central Java,
\nand there is no doubt that in the past the status of an
\nindividual was closely connected to the shape of the roof over
\nhis head.<\/p>\n
Given the importance of the roof to the Javanese, it is not
\nsurprising that they directed some of their creative energy into
\nproducing a wide range of roof ornaments which provide both a
\ndecorative and protective function.<\/p>\n
Roof tiles and ornaments are usually made of terra-cotta
\nbecause it is easy to obtain and well suited to a tropical
\nclimate.<\/p>\n
Collectors<\/p>\n
Some of the more ornate ornaments from the northern coastal
\nareas of Java were embellished with pieces of porcelain obtained
\nfrom the Chinese traders.<\/p>\n
The pieces in the ongoing exhibition come from the personal
\ncollection of four young Indonesians who developed an interest in
\nthe ornaments a couple of years ago.<\/p>\n
\"We realized that we had a rather large number and came up
\nwith the idea of popularizing roof ornaments through an
\nexhibition,\" said one of the collectors, Satya Darmawangsa. \"We
\nhave also decided to sell about 90 percent of the pieces.\"<\/p>\n
Obtaining the roof ornaments was an adventure.<\/p>\n
\"I had to go into Central Java and talk to people to find out
\nwho was willing to sell, which houses were going to be demolished
\nand where to find interesting ornaments,\" said another collector,
\nSatriyo Wibowo.<\/p>\n
He personally scoured the Central Javanese countryside for
\nfour months. He found the main geographical belt for the
\nornaments, extending from the area east of Yogyakarta and north
\nto Kudus and Jepara. Few ornaments are found outside this belt.<\/p>\n
But it was not easy persuading owners to sell them, and they
\nusually would agree only if their houses were being demolished.<\/p>\n
One old man who refused to sell said: \"That was made
\nespecially for placement during the selamatan (traditional prayer
\nand offering ceremony) when this house was built. If you take it,
\nwho will stand guard over my house?\"<\/p>\n
One difficulty is accurately dating the ornaments.<\/p>\n
According to Satriyo, many owners were only able to tell him
\nhow many generations the wuwungan had been in their family.<\/p>\n
Size, complexity of design and the way the figure is attached
\nto the roof tile can be used as the gauge of age and origins.<\/p>\n
However, even these are often not reliable indicators as
\nlittle research has been done on the subject.<\/p>\n
Forty-five pieces are on display in the exhibition, ranging
\nfrom two-dimensional wayang to a 400-year-old minaret.<\/p>\n
Popular wayang figures are often seen standing guard on
\nrooftops in the more strongly Moslem coastal areas of northern
\nJava, while fiery dragons and slithery eels, traditionally
\nassociated with the royal court, are arranged atop houses in
\nareas around Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
The forms are indeed a reflection of how people lived in the
\npast and the beliefs they held dear. As such, they serve as
\nindicators of history captured in pieces of ornamental art.<\/p>\n
Some of the pieces exhibited are indeed unique and were
\nobtained from unusual places.<\/p>\n
Two peacocks studded with white porcelain were found perched
\non the pendopo sheltering the grave of legendary Queen
\nKalinyamat.<\/p>\n
An ornament in the shape of a tree of life (gunungan), which
\nusually signifies the house of a high official, was obtained in
\nKudus near the old house of Sunan Kudus.<\/p>\n
It is believed Sunan Kudus, one of the nine pioneering
\npropagators of Islam in Java, made this type for the houses of
\nhigh-ranking Islamic leaders.<\/p>\n
Among the most impressive pieces are two ancient ornaments,
\nboth of which are not for sale.<\/p>\n
From mosques, they are fine examples of the difference in
\nstyle of ornaments from areas east and west of Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
The ornament found in Banten, West Java, was of a simpler,
\nmore rounded design, while sharp edges of the ornament from the
\nfoothills of the Dieng Plateau are typical of that region.<\/p>\n
Both pieces show the influence of Hinduism in the hook-shaped
\nattachments and uneven number of levels.<\/p>\n
The Dieng Plateau example is a much more complex piece,
\nshowing a unusual blend of Hindu, Islamic and Western influences.<\/p>\n
Islamic script and an arrow pointing to Mecca clearly denote
\nits function as a mosque ornament. The addition of a top portion,
\nresembling a Western-style weather vane minus the rooster, adds
\neven more interest to this unique piece dated by a 1609
\ninscription.<\/p>\n
The most common form today, known simply as an ornament, is
\nstill being made near Jepara. This large, dramatically-styled
\nwuwungan, with its numerous crests and porcelain specks, is still
\npopular in some Javanese villages.<\/p>\n
In the past, they would take pride of place on the house of
\nthe head of the village or region.<\/p>\n
Today, anyone who can afford to buy these pieces can ensure
\nprotection from evil spirits through a very elaborate ornament.<\/p>\n
Collectors consider these pieces to be far more than just
\ndecorative items, a link to Java's history and culture which can
\nstill be obtained at a reasonable price.<\/p>\n
They are getting more difficult to find as only the ornamental
\ndesign is still being made.<\/p>\n
Collectors are also attracted by their uniqueness and because
\nthey are not easily faked.<\/p>\n
They are also great conversation pieces and, for all we know,
\nthe fabled dragons and flying garuda might still have the power
\nto protect even when brought down to earth.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dragons-and-wayang-watch-over-javanese-homes-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}