Performance art
Lenong is a traditional Betawi art form that has been known since the early 20th century. As one of the folk theatre art forms, Lenong is not only a means of entertainment but also provides education to the community. One type of Lenong, namely Lenong Preman, is a performance with an element of two-way communication between the actor and the audience. This element of communication then becomes one of Lenong’s strengths, especially in creating a space for dialogue to raise social issues that exist in everyday life.
Beyond Tradition’s Lenong performance combined several Betawi cultural forms, namely Lenong, Gambang Kromong, Pantun (rhyme), dance and Maen Pukul (martial arts), and actively involved young people in the Lenong performing arts. The Lenong performances were created in different forms, online and offline, as well as using multimedia as part of the innovation to the traditional art form. The key learning from the project was then translated into a model, called the “Beyond Tradition” model, which illustrates the five stages leading up to the performance of Lenong on stage. The model was then developed into a teaching module. The module aims to contribute to the Emancipated Curriculum (Kurikulum Merdeka), which focuses on project-based learning, while also addressing the needs of the DKI Jakarta government to preserve Betawi culture. In addition, a psychosocial model has been developed, given the importance of psychosocial support and character building in this long collaborative process.
The virtual Lenong performance “RAWR…! Kite Kagak Takut” was held on March 3, 2024. It combined the live performance on-site at Pusat Pelatihan Seni Budaya, East Jakarta, and the virtual performance on Zoom. Beyond Tradition uses Lenong, a traditional theatre of Betawi, to raise issues about bullying among young people and demonstrates how local arts can be incorporated into the curriculum.
The performance was presented to policymakers (Education Office and Cultural Office of DKI Jakarta Province), the Rector of Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, the Betawi cultural artists community, school principals, and parents. In addition to on-site audiences, the Lenong performance was attended by participants on Zoom (42 participants) and streamed online on the YouTube channel
Watch the live stream recording here:
Zoom recording with the English interpretation channel:
The MAP Beyond Tradition project: Revitalising Lenong as a means of dialogue to build peace was implemented by the Centre of Family Resilience and Development (CFRD) of the Faculty of Psychology, Atma Jaya Catholic University, in collaboration with Padepokan Ciliwung Condet (PCC) and supported by the Education Office and the Culture Office of the DKI Jakarta Province
This Lenong performance was designed, prepared, and performed by young people from different communities (Teater Tanah Air, Teater Alam Sinema, Forum Anak Budi Mulia Pademangan Barat, Cipinang Besar Utara, SMKN 51 Jakarta, SMPN 157 Jakarta and SMK Insan Mulia Informatika) who are involved in the programme “Beyond Tradition: Revitalising Lenong as a Means of Dialogue to Build Peace”.
The programme also involved cultural artists, including Jose Rizal Manua (theatre), Sanggar Purnama (poetry), Sanggar Ruang Condet (Lenong), Gitarda Studio (gambang kromong), Jelantika Nusantara (Betawi dance), Sanggar Si Khodrat (martial arts), Sekolah Pencak Silat Deprok (martial arts) and Yayasan Super 8MM (film, photo and video).
Beyond Tradition
Revitalising the art of Lenong (a form of Betawi traditional theatre) as a dialogic tool for peacebuilding.