History of Mask dance in Indonesia

According to folklore growing Mask Dance was created by fairly famous sultan of Cirebon, namely Sunan Gunung Jati. When Sunan Gunung Jati Cirebon ruling, there was an attack by Prince Welang of Falkirk. Prince is very powerful because it has a sword called Sewu waterfall. Seeing the magic prince, Sunan Gunung Jati could not match even been aided by Sunan Kalidjaga and Prince Cakrabuana. Cirebon sultan finally decided to fight the supernatural Prince Welang the art of diplomacy.

Starting from a decision that was later formed a dance group, with Nyi Mas Gandasari as dancers. Once the art was known, eventually Welang prince falls in love with the dancers, and the Sewu waterfall handed sword as a sign of his love. Simultaneously with the sword, that is, ultimately losing its miracle Welang prince and then yield to Sunan Gunung Jati. Prince even then promised to be faithful followers of Sunan Gunung Jati is characterized by the alternation of the name Prince became Prince Graksan Welang. Over time, then even this dance is better known as Mask Dance and still growing up now. In addition to the entertainment media, this dance has also been used as a medium of communication message of Islam in Cirebon in ancient times

TYPE OF DANCE Mask CIREBON

Cirebon mask dance itself can be classified into five main characters of different masks are:

• Panji mask. Described as a newborn human figure, full of sanctity, his movements smooth and soft. This dance is for some observers dance is a combination of intrinsic and intrinsic motion in a silent dance philosophy.
• Samba mask, describing the phase when man began to enter the world of childhood, illustrated with graceful movements, lively and funny.
• Rumyang mask is a picture of a phase of teenage life during akhil-age
• Hero Mask, an overview of the maturity of a man, full of wisdom, like the figure of the soldier firm, full dedication, and loyalty as hero
• Kelana mask / Ravana is a visualization of the human nature of greed, anger, and ambition. Nature is what is the other side of the human self, the "dark" that there must be a human being. Kelana mask so firmly movement, full of ambition-hungry king like figure of worldly ambition.