Unlike the other day, West Jakarta Municipality office at Jl Raya Kembangan No 2, on Saturday night (11/21) was so merry. Hundreds of people in groups sat in the parking lot. They came to watch a Betawi puppet show there. Because such a show was rarely held, people attended the event enthusiastically
This classic event was also attended by Jakarta Governor, Fauzi Bowo, West Jakarta Mayor, Djoko Ramadhan and some other city officials.
The show started at 10 p.m. It was lead by the puppeteer, Naman. The story told us about the nation’s struggle in preserving Betawi traditional culture, without eliminating the rules.
The theme was "Jaka Pinulung/Kumala Brata". Arjuna was struggling for his country. Meanwhile, Jaka Pinulung was trying to find Arjuna. But Pinulung’s family was afraid that his effort to find Arjuna would block Arjuna’s struggle.
The Governor came two hours after the show began. He looked enthusiastic in enjoying the show with his staff and other guests.
Governor hoped that it should not be only West Jakarta to hold this kind of event. Other municipalities should also do the same, in order to preserve one of Betawi traditional cultures.
Djoko Ramadhan stated that Betawi has many various beautiful and interesting cultures, for example this Betawi puppet. Unfortunately, many Betawinese do not know about the puppet. Furthermore, some Betawi traditional cultures were derived from other country’s culture for example Keroncong from Portuguese culture. “There was a diffusion,” Ramadhan said.
Head of West Jakarta Sub-dept. of Culture, I Nyoman Wedhana said that the event was held as attractive as it could be by featuring additional comedy from Betawi comedians like Mpok Nori, Jaya, Tonah, Rudi Sipit, Hemalia Putri and Edi Oglek. There was also gambang kromong and modern puppet music.
One of the guests, Hanafi (21), a Betawinese resident of Kembangan, said “I just know right now that Betawi has a leather puppet art.”