Get to know Ebeg, a Banyumas art that can put people in a trance

Banyumasan (Purbalingga, Banyumas, Cilacap, Kebumen Regencies), especially those born before the 2000s, must be familiar with ebeg. This traditional dance, which uses the main property in the form of a ponytail horse (woven bamboo in the shape of a horse), is often held in the village field or other open spaces in the corners of the village. The magical attractions of the dancers, such as eating broken glass or glass, are the main dish that the audience is most eagerly awaiting. This folk art actually depicts the valor of horsemen with all their attractions. Usually, ebeg shows are equipped with barongan, penthul & fast attractions. In the show, ebeg is accompanied by gamelan which is commonly called bendhe. This art is similar to jathilan, braid horse and lumping horse in other areas. It is estimated that this Ebeg art has existed since ancient times, precisely when humans began to embrace animism and dynamism. One of the proofs that strengthens Ebeg in the ranks of old arts is the existence of forms of being in trance or wuru. Forms like this are characteristic of art that was born in the era of animism and dynamism. Apart from that, Ebeg is considered a cultural art that is truly original from Banyumasan Java, bearing in mind that there is absolutely no influence from other cultures in it. In contrast to Wayang which is an appreciation of Indian Hindu culture with various figures. Ebeg does not tell about a particular character at all and is not influenced by certain religions, both Hindu and Muslim. In fact, the songs tell a lot about traditional community life, sometimes containing rhymes, live discourses and tells about the art of Ebeg itself. Almost all of the songs sung in the Ebeg show use the Javanese Banyumasan language or commonly called Ngapak complete with its distinctive accent. Rarely does an Ebeg song use the lyrics of the Javanese Mataraman language and languages ​​other than Banyumasan. Some examples of songs in Ebeg that are often sung are Sekar Gadung, Eling-Eling, Ricik-Ricik Banyumasan, Tole-Tole, Waru Doyong, Ana Maning Modele Wong Purbalingga and others. In Banyumas, ebeg is usually performed with calung music. Banyumasan or Banyumasan gamelan. Nayaga or accompanist is already one with the dancers. Initially, Ebeg performances were usually accompanied by a musical instrument called Bendhe. This musical instrument has physical characteristics like a gong but is made of smaller metal. Then other musical instruments are Gendhing Banyumasan accompaniment such as drums, saron, kenong, gongs and trumpets. One of the obligations in staging Ebeg is the availability of offerings or incense. The offerings are used for offerings to the spirits and rulers of the surrounding spirits so that they want to support the performance. The effect is that the ebeg players will experience a trance or be possessed, which in Banyumas is called mendem because of being possessed by spirits. At this time, ebeg players usually eat various objects that are not commonly eaten, such as broken glass (glass), flower offerings, peeling coconuts with their teeth. , eat rice from the stalk, eat dedek (katul), hot coals, and others. This mendem state shows that the ebeg player is showing that he is a strong warrior. At the end of the match, possessed players will be healed by the leader of the Ebeg group who is usually a traditional elder and is called the Originator. It should be noted that not only ebeg players can be possessed. Often the audience also clamored, thus enlivening the Ebeg performance. When the players and some of the audience are in a trance, the performance becomes a little more chaotic and brutal. However, this is precisely what characterizes the Banyumasan Ebeg compared to the lumping horse art from other regions. Some people who are possessed dance in front of music players and ask for good music. If the music stops, the players will stop dancing. However, not all ebeg performances actually occur in trance.