The True Story Of Bagong Java Traditional Wayang

BAGONG is a panakawan figure in the world of wayang. Panakawan is an accompanist or guardian who always comes and accompanies someone or a family, as a place to share joys and sorrows and is asked for advice if needed. He is the son of Semar's idol or Ki Lurah Badranaya.

According to the story in the wayang, Bagong was created from the shadow of Semar. In the first days Sang Hyang Ismaya came down to the world as Semar to serve as the guardian of the virtuous human group, he felt lonely. Therefore he asked his father, namely Sang Hyang Tunggal, to be given a friend.

As a loyal friend of Semar, is his shadow, which Sang Hyang Tunggal later transformed into Bagong. That is why Bagong's shape and face are very similar to Semar's. Like Semar, Bagong's stomach is also distended, his nose is snub, his ass is big.

Bagong has a childish nature and disposition. Funny, rarely talk, but once talk makes people laugh. In wayang, Bagong is a sharp critic and really makes people who listen to his words can be very hurtful to other wayang characters who act incorrectly. Usually, before starting to speak, Bagong first uttered a typical introductory sentence as follows: "Gembor Mentor leaks..."

Only then did he say the sentence he wanted to convey. In the puppetry of Wayang Purwa, several decades ago the character of Bagong was only known in a few areas, especially in Yogyakarta to the west and in the Banyumas area, and several places in East Java. But now the Bagong character is also played in other areas, even in puppetry in West Java.

In Sundanese Wayang Golek, the Bagong character is often equated with Cepot or Astrajingga. However, unlike most of the Wayang Kulit Purwa, in the Wayang Golek Purwa Sunda, Cepot Astrajingga is considered to be Semar's eldest son.

Wayang Bagong figures were created during the reign of Sunan Amangkurat II, king of Mataram (1677 - 1703). With the candra sengkala "Mantri Sirna Sangoyag Jagad", it can be calculated that Bagong was created in 1603 Java, or 1679 AD. But who the artist who created it, is not known.

Although Bagong is actually Semar's first child, in wayang he is often considered the youngest child. This misunderstanding is mainly due to Bagong's childish nature. Usually, in the puppetry of Wayang Kulit Purwa or on the Wayang Orang stage, Bagong speaks with a Banyumasan Javanese accent. That is, among other things, why in the Banyumas area the Bagong character is very popular.

Especially for wayang in East Java, there is a character called Hyang Katinja alias Besot, or Besep, or Bestil, or Besil. This puppet character comes from the feces of Semar who was stepped on by Bagong.

In the art of Wayang Kulit Purwa, the Wayang Bagong character is depicted in several wandas. Among the Wanda Bagong are: Wanda Gembor with wider and open lips. Compared to other wandas, Bagong Wanda Gembor is the oldest and the largest in size. Almost as big as Semar. His posture was slightly bent and his head was slightly lowered.

Wanda Gilut, which is the thicker lower lip. Bagong Wanda Gilut's body is a bit short, but his head is raised and his chest swells. Another feature, Bagong on Wanda Gilut is wearing a kris with a warikat stamp. Wanda groaned, her posture was more upright and her head slightly tilted up. The last one, called Wanda Blungkang, is hairless, and has a long lower lip.

In 1987 Ir. Haryono Haryoguritno, an expert in the art of Wayang Kulit Purwa gagrak Surakarta, created a new wanda for Bagong, namely Bagong Wanda Blo'on. The new Wanda was created as a pasemon to the conditions of the times, when the younger generation did not care about the circumstances around them.