The story of No Katung, The Only One Crafter of Barongan Kucingan from Blitar City who Still Survive

SURYAMALANG.com, Blitar - Barongan is one of Indonesian art from Java and Bali. Barongan is depicted in animal form and has various forms and one characteristic of Blitar City.

It has a characteristic is pointed nose and does not have canine tooth. Usually, people called as barongan is the charasteristic of Blitar City named kucingan, because it is similar with tiger head.

Not many barongan craftsman with type kucingan in Blitar City. 

One of the craftsmen still survives is Muhammad Arif Suwarno (30) or which is usually called No Katung, from Kelurahan Sentul, Kepanjenkidul sub-district, Blitar City .

"Maybe, I am the only one barongan craftsman with type kucingan in Blitar City who still survive until now. The others already retired," No Katung said when he was met in his home on Wednesday (10/17/2018).

When SURYAMALANG.com come, No Katung is finishing the barongan order with type kucingan on the terrace his house. He sit with position his both thighs flanking wood. His right hand seen holding on small hammer and the left hand bring chisel.

He looks patient carving wood forming barongan. Beside him, there are some barongan craft in line that have already chiseled. The condition still plain, not yet painted.

"My workplace is in here, on the terrace the house. I work alone," he said.

Father of two children start pursue making barongan kucingan craft since 2007. Initially, he just tried it. 

At that time, he saw barongan kucingan craftsman in Blitar City began to disappear.

Some of the craftsman already old and retired. There is no one continues those craft.

From there, former factory employee moved for make barongan kucingan craft.

According to No Katung, barongan kucingan is a characteristic of Blitar City. This barongan kucingan looks like tiger head that has characteristic pointed nose and does not have canine tooth.

"There is two type of barongan in here, barongan dragon and barongan kucingan. The typical in Blitar city is barongan kucingan with characteristic pointed nose and does not have canine tooth," he said.

Both of barongan type can be used for the art of jaranan. However, how to use it differently. How to use barongan dragon in a way held it while barongan kucingan used in a way bitten. Its use similar with mask.