Indonesian Mask: The Origin of Traditional Mask and Its Character
Dzargon Photo
- The origin of Indonesian Mask is a representative of magic values and
other words. There is always a meaning behind every Mask, especially
for every mask in traditional ethics ceremony. Every mask represented a
unique soul and its power but nowadays a traditional mask, does not have
a special meaning except artists aspect. People just forget the origin
of Mask and why is it made? In contrast with modern Mask, Indonesian
Mask keep a great story behind the face. It makes those Mask becoming a
multi-dimension art which full of Spiritual and Magic Value. Based on
the origin those mask consist of 6 kind and it soul. So what does every
mask means? This article are present to give you a simple explanation of
those questions.
The Six Indonesian Masks
1. Indonesian Mask: Topeng Panji
There
are a high philosophy about God behind Topeng Panji. Its name comes
from the acronym of maPAN marang kang siJi which means the one and only
the almighty God. Indonesian religion must be believe only in one God.
Representing the almighty God, Topeng Panji image by a wise and honest
face. It also representing the most blessing creature with a pure heart
and mind. Indonesian ethnic believe anyone who have a pure want and mind
will be rest in The Heaven when they die.
2. Indonesian Mask: Topeng Kelana
The
second mask is Topeng Kelana. Kelana means Traveling or do an adventure
for a good reason. It inspired human life that life is just adventure
to find out yourself. Moving from the bad habits to the good habit to
prepare yourself for another life after life. Indonesian people believe
that there is always a life after live. That life is time to responsible
what you have than from your life before. This also inspire us to be a
good person because the world only a rest time for an endless life.
Those who life badly will be in the hell and those who life well will be
in the heaven.
3. Indonesian Mask: Topeng Runyam
Same
as those two mask, Topeng Rumyang comes from the acronym aRUM which
means good smell and hYANG which means God. Overall meaning is people
must try to do something God in the name of God. Remembering the God
Power is must to do everything in daily activities. Blessing to other as
a hope to God Blessing or simply understanding as praying to the God.
Hoping a god blessing by doing something good is Runyam soul.
4. Indonesian Mask: Topeng Temanggung
Temanggung
is a human Leader in all aspect not only as a king but also as a good
behavior model. Temanggung have a duty to protect his people, to guide
them and to lead the people with love not by his power. It is for a
good, prosperous, peaceful, and happy life. When a leader have applied
Temanggung value in his leading, he will be understand that there is
only one God who have power and he himself is just blessed by the mercy
of God.
5. Indonesian Mask: Topeng Samba
Samba
or saban means every particular things, This mask remains us to control
every particular thing that we do in the world event no one see us
because we always believe that the God know everything both spoken and
unspoken story. There is always a threat by the devil to pursue human do
something wrong so as a faithful human, we must deserve our self to be a
good human not only for other human but also to the nature. Keeping
pray to God and also the relation to other creature is the best way to
life. Remembering the God is the best way to avoid do something bad in
this world for a better life in the judgment day.
6. Indonesian Mask : Topeng Rumawa
Rumawa
represent human bad soul which has been mastered by lust and itch. This
character is represented by Rumawa or Rahwana is the worst character in
the Puppet world who always do everything for his pretensions. This
mask give a warning for human indirectly to keep away from Rahwana Habit
and behavior. Do not follow your itch and lust will keep your life in
this world. This mask remains us about hell and anyone who will life in
that place.
