Similar giant puppets to Jakarta’s ondel-ondel (traditional giant Betawi effigies) can be found in other regions, such as parts of West Java (where it is called Badawang), Central Java (Barongan) and Bali (Barong Landung).
In the nation’s capital, ondel-ondel's typical spiky colorful hair can be easily spotted decorating the interior of government institutions as well as on the streets.
But, though many people still regard ondel-ondel a mere decoration, the gigantic puppet's history in Jakarta tells a different story.
Dressed in traditional Betawi attire, the ondel-ondel’s unique spinning dance were usually performed at the inauguration of new buildings or at villages after harvest to give blessing.
"The origin of ondel-ondel is still debated. Some say that the giant puppet was first found in Batavia during the pre-Islamic period as a agrarian tradition, but other sources claim it was the result of assimilation between local, Chinese and Balinese cultures," Betawi descent historian JJ Rizal told The Jakarta Post Travel recently.
According to Rizal, male ondel-ondel used to have a scary face because it represented evil spirits. Nowadays, as a means to entertain tourists, the puppets appear friendlier and prettier.
The ngukup (giving offerings prior to making ondel-ondel) ritual is no longer practice, thus, the puppets’ function as a repellent of evil is no longer valid.
“We have the puppets, but no longer the tradition. It's such a shame because those rituals were actually local wisdom and should have been preserved,” said Rizal.
Originally, the ondel-ondel was made entirely from wood, while today plastic and fiberous materials are chosen.
“No matter what, ondel-ondel remain in the hearts of Jakartans,” he said.
Bachtiar, 43, who actively holds regular Betawi culture workshops at his studio in Rawa Belong, West Jakarta, said that ondel-ondel puppets were usually rented as decoration during Jakarta's anniversary celebrations, or simply performed as a traditional entertainment.
Throughout June — Jakarta's anniversary — ondel-ondel rental rates rise and the puppet crafters can reap the highest profits from their business.
The presence of several small groups of ondel-ondel, which perform door-to-door from kampung to kampung, have a positive impact.
“I think that those ondel-ondel groups are doing the right thing. By visiting homes door-to-door, the groups allow the residents to understand ondel-ondel puppets and performance. Even though the dance isn't seen as a good luck blessing anymore, it's still a positive thing to do,” said Rizal.
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